Keeping in loose touch
You pop up now and again to your connections and acquaintances (old and new), without any obligation to follow up or see each other in person.
- It helps you to connect even with your weak or dormant ties, that will, in turn, be able to help you if you with what opportunities they have.
- You can connect via text or email, and you can take the time to compose thoughtful messages without being put on-the-spot.
MORE IDEAS FROM THE ARTICLE
If you do this when you’re not feeling needy, you will begin to see yourself as a giver, not a taker. It will help you get over your fear of feeling needy.
... is to put you into someone’s consciousness for a few minutes, and vice versa.
In cultivating loose-touch connections, know that your network won’t appear all at once; it takes steady, continuous work.
Just spending 10 minutes a day on loose touch can keep you connected with a lot of people you made contact with online or professional or elsewhere.
"I’ll share a story or two that I know are of interest to people I know, along with a short note: “This made me think of you. What’s your take? And how are you?"
You stay in touch over time because you should always be looking out for your friends and former colleagues and neighbors. If you’re a good person, you are always ready to help them — and then it’s easy to receive or ask for help later.
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It involves using personal, professional, academic or familial contacts to assist with a job search, achieve career goals, or learn more about your field, or another field you'd like to work in.
While a referral or an introduction can be great, at the end of the day it's all about you grabbing life by the horns and saying, "This is who I am and this is what I do."
At the gym. At the pool. At the club. At whatever event.
- Prepare. Have questions ready to ask new people,such as “How did you get started in your career?" or “What are you passionate about?”
- Find a conference buddy to bring with to your next networking event.
- Be that person. Many feel the same as you do. Forget about yourself and reach out.
- Be present. Once you do start a conversation, ask lots of questions and practice your listening skills.
- So try to relax, smile, and look as warm and casual as you can.
- Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone just a little bit.