Building & Maintaining Your Professional Network

I saw a meme yesterday that resonated: “Don’t leave your coffee for too long and then be surprised when it’s cold. I’m not talking about coffee.” It brought to mind one of my old favorite books – Harvey Mackay’s Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty. While master networker Mackay didn’t necessarily have job seekers in mind as the target for this book, the message is all the same: don’t wait to build a network until you actually need a job. In my experience, a neglected or nonexistent network can leave professionals disconnected when the time comes for a career move. 🤔

It can be tough for many CPAs who are “heads down” in their work but professionals should engage consistently and authentically. Reaching out without expecting immediate returns builds relationships and trust. A 2024 Harvard Business Review piece recommends regular touchpoints, like personalized LinkedIn messages or virtual coffee chats, to stay in touch (HBR, 2024). Consider sending small, thoughtful notes, texts or calls —sharing industry updates, commenting on posts, or noting contacts’ milestones—to keep connections warm. 🔥

Quality outweighs quantity in networking. To that end – focus on meaningful relationships, using LinkedIn to track career updates and other social media to follow personal accomplishments, vacations or milestones. Mackay’s wisdom holds: “People aren’t strangers if you’ve already met them. The trick is to have an existing relationship before you need their help.” 🛟

So don’t wait—(re)connect authentically, stay consistent, and keep your network brewing. Never know where that next job lead can originate. Or better yet – maybe you could help someone else! 💡

#networking #cpacareers #relationships