Activate your network. Just hearing those words can make you feel pressured. You imagine forced networking events, awkward messages and embarrassing requests. But that's not what networking is about. It's about meeting people you like, who support you, listen to you, help you grow and sometimes open doors you never would have thought of.

Here are the three key steps to (re)activate your network effectively and for the long term :

1. Clarify your intention: know what you are really looking for.

Before sending any message, there is one essential step you cannot ignore : clarity. Today, professionals are bombarded with requests from all sides. A vague, overly general, or overly long message will immediately get lost in the flood of information. The question to ask yourself is simple: what exactly am I trying to understand, explore, or achieve?

Some examples of clear intentions:

- “I would like to understand data-related jobs in the public sector.”
- “I am looking to explore possible career paths after working for ten years in HR.”
- “I want to identify the key skills needed to move into a management position.”

This clarity changes everything. It allows you to send short, precise messages that respect the other person's time. Above all, it builds trust:  you know why you are contacting someone and what you expect from the discussion.

Top tip! Express your intention in a sentence of no more than 12 words. If it's longer than that, it's not clear enough.

2. Map out your network: identify doors that are partially open

We often think of a network as influential contacts, high-ranking individuals, leading experts... In reality, it consists of simple conversations, shared advice, exchanges of experiences—and sometimes an unexpected opportunity.

To map your network, you can start with four simple categories :

• Direct network : current or former colleagues, managers, clients, partners, etc.
• Extended network: friends, classmates, neighbours, members of associations or professional communities, etc.
• Dormant network : people you have lost touch with but with whom you have shared a project, internship, training course, event, etc.
• Indirect network: your contacts' contacts. This is often where the most interesting opportunities can be found.

Top tip ! Use LinkedIn as a mapping tool. By typing in keywords such as “humanitarian” or “consulting,” you will find the names of people already present in your network. This simple exploration often shows that connections exist—sometimes much closer than we imagine.

3. Take action: contact, meet, and say thanks

Activating your network isn't about asking for a job. It's about starting a conversation.
An effective message—one that is short, precise, and personalized—might look something like this:

"Hello [xxx], I am reaching out to you because I am considering a career change to [sector/profession]. I saw that you work in this field and would be grateful for a 30-minute conversation to better understand the realities of the job. Would you be willing to share your experience with me? Thank you in advance for your time. Have a great day."

This message works because it doesn't put pressure on the person, doesn't ask for anything uncomfortable and show's appreciation for the other person's experience.

Next comes the networking interview itself. This is a valuable opportunity to ask questions and learn about people's career paths, key skills, and the realities of the sector. Then comes the thank-you stage. A simple, sincere, personalized message is what transforms a one-off contact into a lasting relationship. Networking is not a sprint, it is an ecosystem to be built.

Top tip ! Don't forget to keep track of your exchanges in a spreadsheet (date, person, subject, follow-up actions).