Savvy professionals continuously manage their careers by creating visibility in their professional communities and creating authentic relationships with people who could be in a position to help them if they ever find themselves in a job search. Develop a networking strategy where you give more than you get and see how quickly people start giving back to you in the form of advice, leads, and general job search tips. Below are a few suggestions for improving the quality of your network before you need it.

Make Yourself “Digitally Distinct.” Make it easy for people to find you online. Put your name in quotes and Google yourself. Are you easy to find online, are there multiple people with your name online, and if you do have a web presence, does it accurately reflect who you are? Take ownership of your online identity by creating identity management profiles with branded bios on sites such as ZoomInfo, Ziggs, Claim ID, and Naymz.

Open Up Your Electronic Rolodex. Leverage the power of sites such as The Ladders, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Plaxo, Spoke, and Xing to connect online and extend professional relationships to the online world. Participate in online conversations, share your knowledge, and participate in group features that position you as a credible expert in your field. Align yourself with different affinity groups such as school alumni, corporate alumni, or groups based on hobbies or interests to build community and enhance your circle of contacts.

Blog or Comment on Other People’s Blogs. Position yourself as an industry or functional expert before you need a new job by blogging on your area of expertise or commenting on other people’s blogs in your industry/job function space. You will make powerful connections and elevate your credibility in your space which will make it a lot easier to be recognized and remembered by the people who may be able to help, should you be in a job search in the future.

Become Active in Professional Organizations or Do Volunteer Work. Offer to chair a committee for a professional association geared towards your job function or industry or contribute content to a professional organization’s newsletter. These activities inspire trust and they are a great way to showcase your strengths among a group of peers. Or become a volunteer for an organization or cause you are passionate about. Build meaningful relationships and become “top of mind” with other volunteers.

Reconnect with Friends and Colleagues with Natural Touchpoints. To ease the awkwardness of reconnecting with friends and colleagues you may have lost touch with, find times during the year when reconnecting might not seem so “out of the blue.” For example, the holiday season and birthdays offer an excellent opportunity to reach out to people with cards. By reigniting the relationship at a time when you don’t need anything, you reestablish the ties without it looking like you are reaching out to ask a favor.

Networking is not a one-time event. It happens over time. Find ways to forge meaningful relationships with people each day and you will find that you will almost always have someone to reach out to for information, advice, and even job search leads.