Connect

Ever notice how some people become very active on LinkedIn when they start looking for a job? They join lots of groups, make lots of connections.

Or they start emailing old co-workers and managers. "Haven't talked to you in a long time -- how's it going? Any openings over there?"

Unfortunately, this is the wrong time to try to breathe some life into their network. They should have been doing that all along.

The ex-colleagues you know well enough to email in your time of need? Why not drop them a note now and then? "Hey, I saw this article about local micro-brews. I recall you had a big interest in that." Or "Here's an event next week with free activities for kids, thought you might want to take yours."

Cultivating contacts well takes time, whether they're people you worked with or new ones you've met in professional groups.

Does this sound manipulative? As if you're treating everyone as a tool for your own gain?

Here's a crazy thought: you could actually be interested in these people's lives! You got along well enough with your co-workers to feel comfortable later contacting them. Sending an email costs you nothing, and you could actually be doing them a favor. That's trying to connect with people, not just link in to them.