In fact, it’s always a good time to network.
If the very idea fills you with dread, keep reading. Networking is really just building and maintaining relationships. Shake off any ideas about needing to glad-hand hiring managers or aiming for arbitrary number goals in your process. Also, try to get rid of the idea that this is transactional. You’re not using people or letting them use you. You’re just getting to know people, mostly for the sake of getting to know them.
One reason it’s so important to keep these relationships active is mutual support, though. Not mercenary behavior, you understand, but simple kindness. You may be able to offer a key contact to the daughter of a colleague who wants to get into coding, and then years later, that person might be able to introduce you to a person in the arts. If you aim to be of service first and foremost, you will build yourself a wonderful support network and help a lot of people along the way.
And, of course, the bonus is that you may find yourself in need of help at some point. If you have been active and supportive all along, you will find that people are more than willing to help you in your time of need.
So have some fun building your network. Reach out to someone in an interesting field this week. Ask an old colleague for coffee. Check in on your uncle’s new job. Ask your dentist how her daughter’s sophomore year in college is going. Again, no arbitrary numbers goals and no ulterior motives here—just build and nurture those human connections.
