Something to doChanging jobs
Stay close to people you respect
A micro habit for staying close to people you like and respect
Why it’s worth your time
Small notes sent when you don't need anything are what keep good working relationships alive. Most of us wait until we need something to reach out, which is exactly when it feels most awkward. A note takes five minutes and asks nothing of the person who gets it.
How to keep in touch with your professional network
You’ll come away with one relationship a little warmer than it was this morning.
We’ll turn this into a checklist you can tick off.
- Think of one person.
Someone you like and respect and haven't talked to in a while: a former colleague, an old manager, someone you met once and clicked with.
Tip: If a name came to mind as you read this, that's your person.
- Pick the easiest way in.
Suggest a coffee, a call, or a walk. Send them something you saw that made you think of them. Or just tell them you were thinking about them.
- Write it short, with no agenda.You“Saw this and thought of you. Hope things are good. Would love to catch up sometime if you're up for it.”
Tip: If you'll want something later, that's fine. Just don't make this the note that asks for it.
- Send it and let go of the reply.
Some people will write back in an hour, some in a month, some not at all. The note has still done its job.
MonTueWedThuFri9 am11 am1 pm3 pm10 min, yours5 pm0.7 hrs a month, for you9 hrs a year you didn’t have beforeSame slot so it stops being a decision
Good moments for this: every month or twowhen someone crosses your mindwhen you see news about someone you know
We’ll turn this into a checklist you can tick off.
Keep going with Truest
Small actions add up. Truest helps you find the next thing worth doing, make the space to do it, and keep a record of your progress. It’s a private place to work on your career, and it’s yours, not your employer’s.
- It actually happensDo it now, and you’ve invested in your career today.
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Anything else we can help you with this week?
Making it work for you
Every workplace is different. Here’s what to think about before you start, and what might get in the way.
Things to think about
The people who end up mattering in a career are often not the ones you'd have picked. Reach out to the people you actually like.
What might make this harder
Say so. A line like it's been way too long is disarming, and most people are glad to hear from someone they liked.
Questions people ask
How do I reconnect with an old colleague without it being awkward?
Keep it short and honest. Say you were thinking of them, mention something specific, and suggest a catch-up with no pressure. Acknowledging that it's been a while usually helps.
How often should I reach out to my professional network?
A note every month or two, to one person, is a sustainable pace for most people. Over a year that adds up to a lot of relationships kept warm.
What do I say when I'm not asking for anything?
Share something that made you think of them, congratulate them on a change you noticed, or simply say you'd like to catch up.
Is it okay to reach out only when I need a job?
You can, and people often help. It's easier for everyone, though, when the relationship has been kept warm in between.
Why this works, and where it comes from
Most people's networks go quiet between needs. We reach out when we're job hunting, hiring, or stuck, and that's exactly when reaching out feels most transactional, for us and for them. Small, thoughtful connections made when you don't need anything are the ones that keep relationships strong.
From the other side, a note with nothing attached lands differently. There's nothing to evaluate and nothing to do except enjoy being remembered. It also tends to start better conversations. Without a goal, people talk about what they're actually working on and curious about, and that's often where ideas and opportunities you'd never have searched for turn up.
This is a familiar piece of advice, build your network before you need it, made small enough to actually do. One note, one person, five minutes, every month or two. Over a couple of years that's dozens of relationships that are warm whenever either of you needs them, and a lot of small kindnesses along the way.
It isn't a strategy for collecting contacts, and it works worse when treated like one. Pick people you actually like and respect. The goodwill tends to be real because the interest is.
Other simple things to consider
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An exercise written by Truest, based on our experience. Last updated October 2, 2026. We sell a career membership; where that’s relevant above, we say so.