What do you do if your network isn't helping you advance in your career?

- Assess the quality and relevance of your network - Seek mentors and join professional groups - Attend industry events to expand connections - Offer value and nurture relationships - Don't hesitate to explore new circles - Adapt networking strategies as your career evolves

Be targeted in your network-building efforts. Assess the areas in which your network is lacking. Is it a lack of industry visibility, is engagement low on your posts or are you unable to leverage it to success? Being intentional about who you choose to include in your network enhances the quality. Why you choose them aligns with your goals and interests. Quality over quantity should be preferred in long-term network building. One good authentic connection is better than ten relatively unknown or irrelevant connections. Once you're clear of what you want to achieve with your network, it's easier forming connections with people who are relevant for it. It gives you clear purpose and helps provide value to form a genuine connection.

I'd prefer to attend offline networking events. I agree that online networking events will help you expand your horizon, but attending offline events will give you that personal connection that you can leverage. So sometimes, expanding your horizon may not be focused only on diversifying the network using online means, but offline means as well by attending in-person events.

Experts usually agree that sharing value in the form of free resources will help people notice you. In fact, after a point, they will be eager to reach out to you and network. Many hesitate sharing free resources citing the lack of response. I completely agree with what they think, but at some point, somebody is going to notice you, especially if your free resources comes with intense value and has a solution to any problem that they are facing.

If your network isn't helping your career, take action. Look at who you know and find where you need more connections. Meet new people through industry events or online platforms like LinkedIn. Help others and be open to advice and opportunities. Building a good network takes work, but it's worth it for your career.

You can't expect your network to immediately "pay off". It's better to think of it like a bank. Continue to make deposits (ie, provide value to your network; expand your reach), and every once in a while, when you make a withdrawal, you will (hopefully) be able to dip into the goodwill you've earned over the years, in a way that benefits you.

I started my PR agency 20 years ago after bombing every agency interview. After building an impressive client portfolio, I now accept it was never meant for me to work at an agency. I was a sales associate at Tourneau watch store when I was rejected by an agency I just knew would hire me because of the work I did with one of their clients to get on their radar. I realized then I had to choose a different path. Working at Tourneau is what led me to my agency. Being the #1 salesperson for the Dubey & Schaldenbrand watch brand ultimately led them to become my first client when I left Tourneau to start my agency. It wasn't my PR network that launched me, it was my then unaffiliated job. Opportunities never arrive on a straight and narrow path.