5 Tips for Maintaining Your Professional Network Post-Mentorship

Building a strong professional network is essential for growing in your career, but maintaining those connections after a mentorship ends is equally important.

You can continue to benefit from the relationships you’ve built during your mentorship if you handle them properly beyond the mentoring experience. However, if you want to stay in touch without seeming overbearing or transactional, you’ll need to take a strategic and genuine approach.

In this guide, we’re sharing 5 tips on maintaining your professional network after your mentorship experience. If your mentorship is reaching its end or you’re just looking to reconnect with past contacts, here’s all you need to know about how to maintain your professional network.

1. Stay Connected Through Regular Check-Ins

After your mentorship ends, stay connected with your mentor and other professional contacts by checking in with them regularly. You can keep the relationship alive with a simple email, message, or even a quick call every few months.

When you’re contacting your mentor, consider sharing updates about your career progress, achievements, or challenges, and ask about their projects or insights. Regularly communicating with them will show that you value the connection, keeping you on their radar for future opportunities.

Of course, you still need to be mindful of their time – keep your check-ins concise and purposeful. 

Building this habit will ensure that your professional relationship remains meaningful and mutually beneficial in the long term.

2. Show Appreciation and Acknowledge Their Impact

Expressing gratitude is another great way to maintain your professional connections. You should consider contacting your mentor or network contacts to thank them for their guidance and support.

A thoughtful message, a handwritten note, or even a public acknowledgement on platforms like LinkedIn can go a long way. Make sure to highlight exactly how their advice or mentorship has positively impacted your career.

When you show appreciation for your mentor, you’ll strengthen your relationship and demonstrate that you value their contributions. Regularly acknowledging their impact will keep the connection alive and encourage your mentor to continue supporting you in the future.

3. Share Updates on Your Progress and Achievements

Keeping your mentor or professional contacts updated on your progress and achievements is an excellent way to maintain your network. 

You can share your milestones, such as a new job, completed projects, or skills you’ve developed, to show how your mentor’s guidance has helped you grow.

A quick email or LinkedIn message is enough to keep them informed and engaged. This is a great way to reinforce your connection and show that you value their role in your journey. Sharing updates also opens the door for continued advice or collaboration.

4. Offer Value and Support in Return

Maintaining a professional network is a two-way street. That means, if you want to keep your relationships strong, you’ll need to offer value and support in return.

If your mentor or contact shares advice, you should show how you’ve applied it, or share your own insights that might be helpful to them. You could also offer to assist with their projects, provide relevant resources, or introduce them to new contacts.

When you offer support, it shows your appreciation and proves that you’re not just taking from but also contributing to the relationship. This will help you keep your connection balanced, strengthening your network over time.

5. Leverage Social Media to Stay Engaged

Social media makes it easy to stay engaged with your professional network. Platforms like LinkedIn allow you to share updates, comment on posts, and stay in touch with your connections in an informal yet professional way.

When you like, comment, or share your mentor’s content, it shows that you’re interested in their work, and it keeps your relationship active. It’s also an easy way to stay informed about their career developments and achievements.

In all, engaging on social media can keep your connection alive and visible, making it easier to reach out when you need advice or support in the future.

To Build a Professional Network Through Mentorship, Sign Up With Career Navig8r

Now you know how to maintain your professional network post-mentorship, you might be keen to find a new mentor online.

At Career Navig8r, we understand that starting a new career or trying to advance in your existing role isn’t easy. You may not know the best route to success, and you may need more support than your supervisor or team leader can provide.

You may also have numerous questions about what to expect, what skills you’ll need, and what employers are looking for when they’re hiring. That’s where you could benefit from working with a qualified and experienced career mentor, who can answer these questions and help you grow in your chosen career.

Need a career mentor for your specific job role or industry? Sign up with Career Navig8r and find your ideal mentor now.