Thanking the People Who Got You Here
Before you start your new job, however, did you remember to contact all of your networking contacts and let them know of your success? For those contacts that played direct role, such as introducing you to the company that has hired you, consider sending them an appropriate thank you gift or inviting them to dinner. If finances are still a bit tight, make the invitation for the week you get your first paycheck, or invite them for dessert rather than dinner.
Don’t think that having a job and sending a thank-you note allows you to turn your back on the network you built to help get this job. Your network is a career network, not a job hunt network. You will look for other jobs and need these contacts again. And these contacts may need you. One of the greatest ways to show gratitude to anyone is to return the favor; you want to look for ways to help those who helped you.
You continue to build your network throughout your career. Beginning next month, plan to have lunch or drinks with one of your contacts every month, every month! Talk about anything you want at these get-togethers. The goal is to build deep relationships over time so that each of you feels you can turn to the other for support.
