Most of us have gotten that LinkedIn message or email from a junior colleague or former intern we haven’t heard from in a year and a half. Instead of checking in, they jump right in and ask for a job referral, a letter of recommendation, or an introduction to a VP.
They usually don’t mean any harm, but the effect is the same. The mentor feels used, the relationship becomes transactional, and the connection quietly fades.
Many early career professionals see networking as a vending machine: make small talk, get a favor. As managers, mentors, and career coaches, it’s our job to help them break this habit and show them how to build real, lasting professional relationships.
Dismantle the “Vending Machine” Mindset
If junior employees only reach out when they need help, it shows they don’t really understand what a professional network is for. They treat networking as a quick fix for a problem, like job hunting, instead of seeing it as something to invest in over time.
If they only reach out to senior colleagues for quick favors, people will eventually stop responding. Show your mentees that a strong network is built by staying in touch and showing small acts of care over months and years, not just during a job search. Remind them that real networking takes time.
Teach Them the Power of “Closing the Loop”
One of the best habits you can teach early career professionals is to close the feedback loop.
When a mentor or manager gives advice to a new hire, the relationship shouldn’t stop when the meeting ends. Encourage your team members to follow up weeks or months later and share how they used that advice.
Offer them a straightforward example they can follow: “Hi Sarah, I applied the spreadsheet automation tip you shared with me last month, and it saved our team hours on this week’s update. Thanks again for taking the time to show me!” This small gesture does two important things. It shows the junior employee respects the mentor’s time, and it turns a single advice session into a lasting professional relationship.
Introduce the Concept of Reciprocity
Many early career professionals think they have nothing to offer in a relationship, so they only focus on receiving. They might think, “I’m just an intern or junior analyst. How could I possibly help a senior leader?”
Even at the beginning of their careers, anyone can add value to a relationship in small, thoughtful ways:
Celebrate Wins: Send a quick, genuine congratulations when a mentor gets promoted, launches a project, or celebrates a work anniversary.
Share Insights: Forward an interesting article, industry report, or new digital tool with a brief note: “Saw this and thought of our conversation about [Topic].”
Offer Support: Help with digital tools or offer a fresh perspective from a younger consumer lens.
Building a Career-Long Support System
When we help our mentees move beyond transactional networking, we’re not just helping them land their next job. We’re teaching them how to build a real, lasting network of supporters who will stand by them throughout their careers.
What’s your favorite low-effort strategy for keeping in touch with your professional network over time?
Conversation Kit for Managers & Mentors
Use the conversation kit below to run more impactful one-on-one and group sessions in less time. The kits give you intentional articles and discussion prompts to guide early-career professionals and accelerate their growth.