Part 2: "These Are The Biggest Mistakes That Early & Mid-Career Professionals Make"

Arianny M. is the founder of Revamped, a career, workplace, and education consulting firm that aims to transform clients' professional trajectories. Before launching Revamped, Arianny was a talent management, business development, and management consulting professional at firms like Accenture and American Express. (This is part 2 of our interview. You can read part 1 here.)

Now you've launched your own firm, providing coaching for career advancement and job search. When it comes to networking and building business relationships, what mistakes do you see early and mid-career women making?

"The biggest mistake I see is focusing too much on immediate outcomes, like expecting a connection to directly lead to a job or specific opportunity. Real, lasting relationships are rarely transactional, and people can sense when someone is connecting just for the sake of personal gain. Networking isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Building a strong professional community takes time, and often the benefits come indirectly or in unexpected ways."

"Another common mistake is waiting too long to invest in relationships outside of your immediate team or function. I see many young women, especially, over-indexing on relationships within their own department, not realizing the immense value of cross-functional connections. They miss out on learning different perspectives and making themselves known in other parts of the company."

"Lastly, I see hesitation in reaching out to people they perceive as "above" them. There's often a fear of being bothersome or being rejected, but the truth is that many senior professionals enjoy sharing their knowledge and appreciate a respectful reach-out. It’s about approaching it with humility and curiosity rather than a list of demands. Don’t hesitate to ask for help or to reach out and expand your network."

"The feelings of uncertainty or hesitation you’re experiencing are ones that many others feel too. With my background in economics, I’ve learned to be strategic about taking risks, viewing each one through the lens of potential return on investment. Some risks are well worth it—reaching out to someone is a great example. The risk is low, but the potential reward is high. People are often more willing to help than you might think, and building a supportive community is invaluable. And if someone does see you as a bother, that’s probably not someone you’d want in your circle anyway. At the end of the day, reaching out is a win-win."

What advice would you give to young and mid-career associates about building relationships both inside their companies and outside their companies in their industry?

"Inside your company, relationships start with curiosity and collaboration. Take every opportunity to genuinely listen to your colleagues and learn about their roles, goals, and challenges. Show that you're a team player who values their insights. Be the person who’s willing to put in a little extra effort when someone needs it, because people remember those gestures. Also, don’t wait until you need something to start networking; the best relationships are built when there’s no agenda."

"Outside the company, remember that industry connections are built on shared values and interests. Attend industry events, contribute to relevant conversations on social media, and don’t be afraid to ask for coffee chats with people who inspire you. But again, approach it as a way to learn and connect, not with an ask right out of the gate. Over time, these conversations lead to people seeing you as a thought partner, someone they want to stay in touch with."

"And one more thing: as you connect with others, don’t forget to bring people up with you. Lift as you climb. Share information, make introductions, and show up for others. It creates a community of support around you, which only strengthens your network further. This skill set is just like a muscle, the more you exercise it, the stronger you become at it."

Were the relationships that you built during your corporate career helpful when you launched your business?

"Absolutely. Many of the people I worked with in my corporate roles became some of my first clients, partners, or even referrals for my business. These were people who had seen my work firsthand and trusted my abilities, so they felt comfortable supporting my transition. What I appreciate the most is that they were also able to give honest feedback and help shape my services in the early days, helping me create something truly valuable."

"Relationships are powerful because they transcend job titles and roles; they’re based on mutual respect and shared experiences. Having people from my corporate career support me has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my entrepreneurial journey. It reminds me that a career isn’t just about building skills or getting promotions—it’s about building a community that believes in you and is excited to see what you do next."