Here's how you can maintain connections with former colleagues and classmates using networking.

Somos seres relacionales y cambiantes, siempre tenemos algo para actualizarnos, retomar el contacto con personas que quizas no hablamos frecuente que permita generar una red de contacto solida que desarrolle el vinculo y soluciones futuras, en mi caso particular prefiero las relaciones y vinculos presenciales, en ocasiones el tiempo y ocupaciones no me lo permiten y aprovecho la ventaja de redes sociales como linkedin que puedo tener a disposicon siempre una excusa perfecta para retomar contacto con las personas ya sea por su cumplea?os, cambio de empleos o simplemente interacción en esta plataforma

Staying connected with former colleagues and classmates is key to effective and strong networking. For example, use LinkedIn to keep up with their career progress by liking and commenting on their posts. If a former colleague shares a promotion announcement, I usually send a congratulatory message and offer support. Sharing relevant topic news or articles also shows you're invested in their growth and success.

When I noticed that a former colleague, Sarah, had been promoted to a senior management role at her company, I made a point to congratulate her. I sent her a LinkedIn message saying, "Congrats on the new position, Sarah! I’m thrilled to see you advance in your career. Let's catch up soon!" This simple gesture led to a lunch meeting where we shared updates and discussed potential collaboration opportunities. Staying updated on her career progress helped me maintain a valuable connection.

Atrevete a dar el primer paso y contactar al otro, te pasa que en algun momento del dia te recuerdas de alguien por algo en particular y no le escribes? bueno cuando eso suceda deja un mensaje corto y dile a la otra persona que lo recordaste, eso te permitirá iniciar una conversación y asi estar actualizados nuevamente, no solo esperes ocasiones especiales

Using different professional networks and settings, it can be easy to reach out to former colleagues and connections. Also, setting up coffee chats and small networking events can help stay in touch and share connections and interests.

Last year, I reached out to my former classmate, Mark, after seeing an interesting article on artificial intelligence that I knew he would appreciate. I sent him an email: "Hi Mark, I came across this AI article and thought of you. It seems aligned with the research we discussed in college. How have you been?" This not only sparked a fascinating conversation but also rekindled our professional relationship, leading to us working on a joint project later that year.

A former colleague, Lisa, was considering a career shift into digital marketing. Knowing I had contacts in the field, I offered to introduce her to a friend who could provide insights into the industry. I said, "Lisa, I know someone who could give you a great overview of digital marketing. Would you like me to set up an introduction?" She appreciated the offer, and the connection helped her land a job in her new field. Offering help strengthened our connection, and she later returned the favor by connecting me with a potential client.

Particularmente no me resulta sencillo juntar a las personas y hacer networking de manera presencial (Son muchas las personas con las que estoy conectado) sin embargo he tomado ventaja de los eventos online, por ejemplo este mes tengo un evento dirigido a profesionales de recursos humanos y empresarios donde aprovechare la oportunidad de invitar a personas dentro de mi red de contactos, es un agazajo para todos!!!

I recently organized a virtual reunion for my former college project team. I sent out invites via email and set up a Zoom meeting, saying, "It’s been a while since we all caught up. How about a virtual coffee chat next Friday? It’d be great to see everyone and hear your updates." The event was a success, with everyone sharing their latest ventures and even brainstorming ideas for future collaborations. Organizing this event not only refreshed our connections but also fostered a sense of camaraderie.

When my former colleague, Jim, shared on Facebook that he had completed a marathon, I commented, "Wow, Jim, that’s an incredible achievement! Congrats! How was the experience?" Engaging with him on social media kept our relationship alive and opened the door for a more meaningful conversation when we later met at a networking event. Our online interactions helped bridge the gap between less frequent in-person meetings.

After collaborating on a challenging project, I sent a handwritten thank-you note to my former boss, expressing my gratitude for her guidance. I wrote, "Dear Emma, I wanted to personally thank you for your support during the recent project. Your mentorship was invaluable, and I learned so much from you." She appreciated the personal touch, and it strengthened our professional relationship. It also led to her recommending me for a leadership position in another project.

When reconnecting with a former colleague, John, I made sure to respect his busy schedule by asking when it would be convenient for him to chat: "Hey John, I’d love to catch up and hear about your new role. When would be a good time for you?" This respectful approach made our communication smoother and more considerate. Consistency in reaching out without overwhelming him helped maintain a balanced relationship, and he appreciated the thoughtfulness, which led to a mutual exchange of valuable career advice.