Q. I’ve begun an internship and my network is now steadily growing. I’ve received a lot of business cards and a lot of people have told me to keep in touch with them. One even offered me another internship, but I won’t be able to take that offer up until next year.
Anyway, should I keep in contact with these people even if I don’t have anything to say to them? If so, what should I say, and how often should I say it? Also, how do I remain relevant to the person who offered me an internship? Should I send him news clips or something?
At the moment, it feels as though everyone wants me to call on them when I need help, but with so many people offering, I really don’t need help from the majority of them. I want to keep those lines of communication open, though.
David
A. By all means, keep in touch with these folks. Several of them could become important parts of your network, even if you never wind up working with them.
These connections could lead you to helping others or to helping the people who are reaching out to you.
Think of your network as a durable, growing organism. It is not just something you use to get your next job. Good networks take many years to build, but can then be of immense help to you and the people in your network who connect through you.
To grow one-time contacts into long-term relationships, it is fine to send e-mail updates when you move or when your situation changes. Links to your better work are a good idea, too. Do not fret that you have little to say. Just don’t spend a lot of time saying it.
The people who are asking you to stay in touch are probably saying that to a dozen people. Most won’t. Be one who does.
Coming Wednesday: Here resume doesn’t win her the respect she deserves, so she is looking for some outside help. However, the last time she did that she spent a lot of money for a lousy resume.
