Even if you're not looking for a job right now, career networking should be a part of your daily, or at least weekly, routine. You never know when you might find yourself in need of a new job. I know more people, myself included at one point in my career, who have unexpectedly lost their job without notice. If you have a network in place and contacts you keep in touch with, it will be much easier to get started on a job search than if you're starting from scratch.

即使你现在没在找工作，职业关系网也必须是你日常生活的一部分，至少也要每周或定期和关系网的成员联系。你永远都不能预知自己什么时候要找工作。我认识的很多工作上的人，包括我自己在内，有时候一不注意就丢了工作。如果你有一个关系网的话，并且一直都保持了联系，那么，利用这个关系网找工作要比你从零开始简单得多。

Stay in Touch 保持联系

It doesn't take long to send an email or a LinkedIn or Facebook message just to say hello, even if you don't see your contacts very often - or at all. I just had lunch with someone I worked for years ago and I just connected on LinkedIn with former colleagues I hadn't heard from in quite a while. It was good to touch base, both to find out what was new in their lives and careers, and, just in case, I need references or help in the future.

即使你没有经常看到你关系网内的朋友，或根本没见过，但是给他们发封邮件，或者在LinkedIn 和 Facebook等网站上发封站内短信问候一下并不需要花很多时间。我刚刚和前几年一起共事的同事一起吃了顿饭，我刚在LinkedIn 上给很久没有联系的大学同学发了封邮件。保持联络是很有益的，不仅可以知道他们生活或工作上发生了什么事情，也是为了将来有一天如果我需要帮助或建议的话他们可以帮上忙。

Connect In-Person 亲自联系

If you can, meeting those people you've only known online is helpful, too. That personal connection becomes even strong when you can match a personality with a name. When I travel, I try to find time for a cup of coffee or lunch with people I've only met via email or the phone.

如果可能的话，亲自去见见平常只在网上联系的人也是很有益的。尤其是你能够将一个人的名字和个性匹配的话，这样的见面就更有意义了。当我去各地旅游的时候，我会挤时间出来和平常只在邮件和电话中联系的朋友见见面，喝杯咖啡，或一起吃顿午餐。

As an example of how valuable networking can be, a recent graduate I know just got a job offer from someone she had networked with at a college alumni

event several months ago. She had stayed in touch and the contact remembered her when a job became available at his employer.

为了说明人际关系网有着怎么样的价值，举个例子吧，我认识的一位大学生找到了一份工作，而提供给她这份工作的人，正是几个月前她在大学校友会上认识的朋友。她一直和他们保持联系，所以当这位朋友公司正好有个职位空缺的时候，就想到了她。

Build Your Network 建立你的交际网

Taking the time to build, and maintain, your network, is well worth the effort （which may be minimal）. Those connections you make today, can help you move along the career ladder, tomorrow.

花时间去建立你的关系网，并且要维护好它。因为，它值得你付出的努力。你今天所做的这些联系，可能会在将来成为你职业发展的阶梯。