How to Stay in Touch With Former Colleagues (and why you should)
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, the average tenure for workers ages 25 to 34 in 2018 was less than three years. That means a lot of us are living in a network full of former colleagues.
Staying in touch with your old coworkers can be personally and professionally beneficial. Personally, these people probably know you pretty well. They know your strengths, likely have similar interests, and probably share some great memories from the trenches. Professionally, they may be great references or be able to refer you to new opportunities. They also may know great candidates to fill open positions at your company.
The trick is staying in touch with these people when you’re so used to just seeing them every day. Making plans for happy hour when you’re all standing in the office together is very different than proactively working them into your schedule. It can be tough and the level of engagement you want to have (hang out as friends, simply stay in each others’ professional networks, etc.) can vary by colleague.
I certainly have all varieties of former colleagues in my life. My closest Senate staff team members have remained friends, for years after our time working together we communicated daily. We still celebrate professional accomplishments and person milestones together. But I certainly call them my friends. My first real boss (best first boss ever, I may add) and I still keep in touch via text and do our best to get together when we can. I went to her baby shower. Her and her husband were invited to my wedding.
With other folks, the conversations or get togethers may be less frequent but I certainly try to stay up-to-date on their life and get groups together to catch up occasionally.
I’ve found a few strategies that have helped me preserve these relationships.
Make a Group Chat or Email Thread
Coworker category: Friends
For the folks with whom you have a real bond, keep a group chat going to stay in touch. I’ve learned having a few different voices on the thread can help keep the conversation going. This chat group becomes a go-to (either in text or email or on Instagram) when you want to share updates or interesting news articles. My Senate friends and I have had a group chat going since soon after our office closed (this is certainly a unique circumstance because we all left at once given we did not win reelection – obviously other departures are typically more staggered).
Arrange for a Monthly Happy Hour (Plan in Advance!)
Coworker category: Friends
While texting each other weekly – be that with random news articles, life updates, or tweets you find funny – is a good way to keep in touch, nothing can beat face-to-face interaction. Blocking off time to catch up over drinks or coffee ensures you can share more details and insights with these friends beyond what you’re able to reply to during a busy day. It’s important to make an effort to spend time with people and have meaningful conversations. Scheduling those interactions is the hardest part so make a point to pick a date for the next get together while you’re at your current gathering. Even if you change the date later, it’s a set reminder on your calendar to make plans with that group and stay in touch.
Invite Them to Industry Events
Coworker category: Friends or Acquaintances
Events with set itineraries or structure can be a good ice breaker for colleagues with whom you want to stay in touch but may not be close enough for you to feel comfortable having an hour plus one-on-one conversation. If you are planning on attending an event, try to think of someone who might find the topic of interest and invite them to join. This really is a win-win-win. You get to stay in touch with someone, you get a buddy to attend the event with you (because what’s worse than networking alone?), and you have a comfortable location for small talk and life updates without having to worry about the uncomfortable silence that may come over drinks.
Remember Them When You Have Opportunities
Coworker category: Friends or Acquaintances
If you have job opportunities at your company or know of open positions elsewhere, don’t forget about old colleagues that may qualify. A referral (one that you know you can stand behind) can go a long way for maintaining a good relationship. And the favor may come back around to you one day.
Also be sure to invite them to events your company hosts. It’s an easy way to stay in touch while also filling the room for your event.
Don’t Ever Think It’s Too Late to Say Hello
Coworker category: Acquaintances/Lost Touch
Let’s be honest, no matter how hard we try we’re bound to lose touch with old colleagues. Life is busy, people move, your career path changes. It’s bound to happen. But never be afraid to ping someone – even if it’s been years. It’s never too late to get back in touch. You’d be surprised how fast a coffee chat or happy hour can go when you have so much to catch up on.
How have you stayed in touch with old colleagues? Drop your strategies in the comments below!
