Tips for Building a Professional Network After Service

When I hung up my uniform after 31 years in the Marine Corps, I realized quickly that one of the most important skills I had gained wasn’t tactical or technical—it was networking. For veterans and transitioning military members, your professional network can mean the difference between thriving and simply surviving after service. The strength of our network often defines the opportunities we discover, the insights we gain, and the support we receive as we step into our next chapters. Four things I learned about networking after transitioning from active duty: 1. It’s a Long Game: Networking isn’t about immediate payoffs. It’s about building relationships over time, showing genuine interest in others, and consistently offering value. 2. Your Network is Your Foundation: Don’t underestimate the power of your military peers, mentors, and subordinates. They’ve transitioned too—or will eventually—and understand your value. 3. Be Authentic: Civilians appreciate authenticity. Share your experiences genuinely, listen actively, and avoid military jargon that can create barriers. 4. Engage Proactively at Events: Attend symposiums, conferences, and professional events—but don’t just show up. Make it your mission to introduce yourself to others, genuinely learn about them and their organizations, and find opportunities for mutual benefit. The reality is, no one is coming to do this for you—it’s entirely up to you. You’re free to take or leave my advice, but I’m sharing what has consistently worked for me and many other highly successful people in my network. Your mission doesn’t end when you leave active duty—it evolves. Networking isn’t optional; it’s essential. I’d love to hear from you: What’s one piece of networking advice you would give someone preparing to transition out of the military?

Transitioning from the military to civvy life is an exciting yet challenging journey. Networking plays a pivotal role in navigating this change successfully, I didn't do it well! Here are some tips I wish I'd had when I was leaving: 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗞𝗲𝘆: 👍 Share your genuine self, highlighting your skills and experiences. 👎 Overemphasis on military jargon can be a communication barrier. Keep it relatable. 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: 👍 Reach out to fellow veterans and military contacts for advice and introductions. 👎 Assuming your military connections know everything about civilian industries. Be specific in your requests. 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵: 👍 Clearly articulate your skills, experiences, and what you're looking for in 30 seconds. 👎 Rambling or using overly technical language can lose your audience's interest. 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: 👍 Actively participate, ask questions, and follow up with connections afterwards. 👎 Sticking only to familiar faces or not engaging in conversations with new contacts. 𝗨𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀: 👍 Optimise your LinkedIn profile, join groups, and actively contribute to discussions. 👎 Neglecting your online presence or only connecting without personalised messages. 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: 👍 Seek informational interviews/conversations to learn about industries and build connections. 👎 Treating informational interviews as job interviews. It's about learning and networking, not asking for a job directly. 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲: 👍 Send personalised thank-you notes or emails to express your appreciation. 👎 Not acknowledging or following up after someone helps you. Remember, networking is a two-way street. Be genuine, stay curious, and approach each connection as an opportunity to learn and grow. 🤝💼

Here's the playbook I recommend for transitioning veterans (applicable for all job hunters) looking for their first job after the military 👇 1. OUTREACH PHASE ‣ Think of your network in concentric circles - schools, branch of service, other natural networks that you belong to ‣ Find folks on LinkedIn who sit at the intersection of multiple circles (for example, if I find someone from the Naval Academy, Wharton, and Marine Corps, that's a lot of overlap) ‣ Reach out to folks with a simple message asking to connect ‣ If you have interest in a specific industry, target folks in that industry "Hi X, I am a transitioning vet who is looking for my next opportunity. I'm also a USNA grad - would you have 30 minutes to connect so I can learn about your career in the coming days?" 2. CONNECT ON A CALL ‣ Prepare good questions ahead of time ‣ Gather intel - ask questions you can't google, ie - "What do you like and dislike about this career" ‣ Conclude the convo by asking who else you should connect with in their network AND if their company is hiring or if they know of opportunities you'd be a good fit for 3. RUTHLESS FOLLOW UP ‣ Follow up with your cold outreach a few times - do NOT feel awkward ‣ It's only annoying if you overdo it - it's perfectly reasonable to be persistent with your follow up 4. THANK YOU NOTES & UPDATES ‣ After a call, send an email thank you note. You wouldn't believe how many people skip this step ‣ Keep folks updated with your transition / job search - every 2-3 months is probably ideal. ‣ Create an email list and keep folks posted - be top of mind! 5. RINSE & REPEAT ‣ Do this a lot ‣ Like way more than you think - it might take 100s of calls. ‣ I talk to a lot of folks who think they've networked hard after 15 calls - try 150! 🖼 PHOTO CRED: In-person networking is great too! This shot is from a veterans in startups breakfast we hosted in LA last year - our events are at themilvet [dot] org/events -------------------------------- 👉 Transitioning vets are TERRIBLE about asking for help. Oftentimes we worry about being annoying to busy folks. ‣ People in the business world are more than capable of saying "No" to you if it's not a good time. ASK for help and to connect. It makes a world of difference, I promise! ‣ Leave your best advice for transitioning vets and networking in the comments below!

Today I heard "Immediate follow up is easy. But how do I maintain connections long-term?" That’s where most of us struggle. We start so thoughtful, but then life gets busy, priorities shift, and before we know it, those once-promising connections start slipping through the cracks. So how can you keep your connections warm and meaningful over the long run without feeling awkward or forced? Here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way: 1️⃣ Engage regularly (without spamming). Make it a habit to interact with your connections’ posts. Add meaningful comments - beyond just “Great post!” Start conversations by referencing their work, asking a question, or offering new perspectives. 2️⃣ Share value through DMs. If someone doesn’t post often, send them useful articles, podcast recommendations, or other resources you think they would enjoy. A quick, “This reminded me of our conversation” can make a lasting impression. 3️⃣ Be a connector. Introduce your contacts to others in your network. Helping people meet the right people strengthens your relationships and your reputation as someone who adds value. 4️⃣ Check in spontaneously. You don’t need an excuse to reconnect. Just drop a message: “I was thinking about our chat the other day. How’s everything going?” It keeps the relationship fresh without feeling transactional. And is very easy - so no more excuses! 💡 Bonus: If you’re managing multiple professional relationships, set calendar reminders to check in periodically. (Out of sight, out of mind is real!) The key is to show up consistently but thoughtfully. Your network doesn’t need to be big - just well-tended. How do you keep your professional connections alive over time? Let's help each other in the comments! 👇 #NetworkingTips #RelationshipBuilding #LongTermConnections #CareerGrowth #LinkedInTips #OnlineConnection #Networking #TEDxSpeaker

As an HR professional, I’m often asked about networking and how to approach it effectively. Networking is not just about meeting people—it’s a powerful tool for personal development, continuous learning, and fostering meaningful connections. When done thoughtfully, it opens doors to new opportunities and helps you grow both personally and professionally. Here are three essential tips for successful networking: 1. Be Intentional * Set clear goals: Are you looking for mentorship, exploring new industries, or expanding your support network? Focus on quality not quantity. * Do your homework: Research attendees or speakers in advance and prepare thoughtful questions or talking points to guide your conversations. 2. Lead with Value * Networking is about building relationships, not just seeking personal gain. Shift your focus to “How can I help?” * Look for opportunities to support others—whether by sharing insights, offering resources, or making introductions that could be beneficial. 3. Keep the Connection Alive * After an event or meeting, follow up with a personalized message that references your conversation. * Maintain the relationship by staying in touch over time—share articles, updates, or simply check in to show you value the connection. Conversation Starters Consider these to spark engaging conversations: * "What’s the most exciting part of your current role or project?" * "What inspired you to attend this event today?" * "What’s a professional trend or topic you’re really interested in right now?" And one last tip: Put your phone down! Being fully present shows respect and builds deeper connections. What are your go-to networking strategies? I’d love to hear your thoughts! #Networking #Development #GrowthMindset

If you’re a veteran planning to retire in the next 5-12 months, you’ve probably heard it a hundred times: “You need to network.” And if you’re like most people, your first thought is probably, “What does that even mean?” Let me break it down: Networking isn’t just about collecting business cards or connecting on LinkedIn. It’s about building real relationships—and one of the best ways to start is by joining professional organizations outside of the government. Here’s why this matters: ➖ These organizations can help you learn the language of the civilian workforce, expand your network, and expose you to opportunities you might not even know exist. ➖ They provide a space to build relationships with people who could eventually open doors for your next career. But here’s the most important part: You can’t just join and sit on the sidelines.��If you want to eventually benefit from the connections and opportunities these groups offer, you need to show up and get involved. You need to participate in a meaningful way. Consider organizing one of the monthly event or put a panel together that brings experts from that field into the room. When you contribute, people notice—and they’ll remember you when opportunities arise. The relationships you build today could make all the difference when you’re ready to step into your next chapter. It’s never too early to start preparing for your transition. Show up. Participate. Give back. It’ll pay off in ways you can’t imagine. I talked about this today with Greta Spitz Densham and Brian Hoffman. What else can you both add to this topic?

The most important career advice I NEVER got? Relationships unlock opportunity. The difference between professionals who plateau and those who thrive often comes down to one thing: the strength of their networks. Easier said than done. Even if I had understood this, I would have needed guidance on HOW to do it. Real network-building requires intention, generosity, and authentic human connection. After years of trial and error, I've identified 20 strategies that consistently create powerful professional relationships. Here are 10. The rest are in the visual. 1. Practice the 5-minute favor rule ↳ When meeting someone new, ask yourself, "What can I do in 5 minutes that would meaningfully help this person?" ↳ Example: Send a relevant article or make a quick introduction. 2. Follow the 2:1 giving ratio ↳ Provide value at least twice before asking for anything. ↳ Example: Share and comment meaningfully on their LinkedIn posts. 3. Be 'interested, not interesting' ↳ Focus conversations on the other person rather than trying to impress. ↳ Example: Ask follow-up questions about their challenges rather than discussing your own achievements. 4. Leverage commonality ↳ Find unexpected shared interests beyond work. ↳ Example: Discovering you both enjoy pottery or hiking specific trails creates stronger bonds than just industry connections. 5. Practice conversational generosity ↳ Introduce people to others in group settings. ↳ Example: "Sarah, you should meet Alex. You're both working on similar AI ethics challenges." 6. Make specific, actionable asks ↳ Be clear about what you need. ↳ Example: "Would you be willing to review my presentation deck for 15 minutes this week?" 7. Connect with 'dormant ties' ↳ Reconnect with valuable past connections. ↳ Example: Reach out to former colleagues and share specific memories of working together. 8. Diversify your network ↳ Intentionally connect with people outside your immediate field. ↳ Example: A finance professional joining a technology meetup to gain fresh perspectives. 9. Maintain a personal board of directors ↳ Cultivate relationships with 5-7 trusted advisors. ↳ Example: Monthly check-ins with mentors who provide different perspectives on your career decisions. 10. Adopt the sweat equity approach ↳ Volunteer for industry organizations or committees. ↳ Example: Join the planning committee for a conference to create natural connections with speakers and organizers. The most valuable asset in your career isn't your degree, certifications, or even your experience It's the web of relationships you thoughtfully build along the way. What are your successful relationship building tactics? ♻️ Repost to share these ideas with your network. 👉Follow me Stephanie Eidelman (Meisel) for more ideas about how to enhance your network and your career. 📫 Subscribe to Women in Consumer Finance to access all of our carousels, cheat sheets, and other content. (https://hubs.la/Q03dY9_n0)

Your network is bigger than you think - it’s time to tap into it. I recently spoke with a young veteran who thought he didn’t have much of a network because he hadn’t spent years formally building one. But that’s a common misconception. A network isn’t just about who you’ve exchanged business cards with - it’s every teammate, leader, and connection you’ve made along the way. It’s your family, friends, and anyone who knows the value you bring. That officer you worked under in the military? They may not be in your day-to-day life now, but their respect for your work ethic means they’d likely lend a hand if you reached out. Military community job seekers, don’t overlook the power of your existing relationships. Reach out, share your goals, and let people know how they can help. Your network is broader and more eager to support you than you might realize.