A question I get asked a lot: "How do you stay in touch with the people who've helped you?" and "When you join a new company, how do you build relationships with colleagues quickly?" Here's what's worked for me in practice.
During a coffee chat or phone call, I don't just talk about the job I'm applying for. I pay attention to what the person is interested in — their hobbies, what they care about, things that come up naturally in conversation. I make a mental note, because later I'll either share something relevant to their interests or use it to pick out a small, thoughtful gift. I follow them on LinkedIn or Instagram and engage with their posts — it's a low-effort way to stay on their radar without being intrusive. When someone does me a favor, I send snacks or a small gift. Something specific to who they are, not just a generic Amazon order. People remember that.
When I join a new company, I introduce myself proactively — not just "hi, I'm Rachel, I work in marketing" but something that gives people a hook, a shared interest, a reason to remember me. I'll send a message when I see something that reminds me of a conversation we had. The book I keep coming back to is Never Eat Alone — its central idea is to have lunch with a different colleague every week. It sounds simple, but it dramatically expands your internal network and your visibility.
For important holidays — Thanksgiving, Christmas, the new year — I send e-cards through Paperless Post to mentors and connections. It takes five minutes and people genuinely appreciate it.
© 2026 Rachel Hong · Accelerator Consulting