One of the questions we hear most often is: “How do I position myself for my next opportunity?”
People expect us to talk about resumes, LinkedIn profiles, or interview preparation. Those things matter but they’re rarely where executive careers begin.
After more than four decades in executive search, we’ve seen it time and again. Senior leadership opportunities don’t usually start with a job posting. They start with a recommendation. A former colleague. A trusted introduction. Someone who remembers working with you years ago and thinks, “You should talk to this person.”
That’s why networking continues to be one of the most valuable investments professionals can make, whether they’re actively looking for a new role or perfectly happy where they are. And ironically, summer may be one of the easiest times to do it. The pace of business shifts just enough to make conversations feel less rushed. Coffee meetings move outdoors. Industry associations host rooftop networking events. Charity golf outings, volunteer events, rooftop receptions, and community gatherings all create opportunities to meet people in a more relaxed setting.
Summertime conversations tend to be more authentic, and that’s where meaningful relationships begin. The best networkers aren’t the people who walk into a room trying to meet everyone. They’re the people who make one or two genuine connections. They ask thoughtful questions. They’re curious about other people’s careers. They listen more than they talk. And they stay in touch long after the event is over. That’s also how the strongest executive relationships are built.
One of the biggest misconceptions about networking is that it’s something you do only when you’re looking for a job.
In reality, the most successful executives network when they don’t need anything at all. They congratulate people on promotions. They introduce colleagues who should know each other. They share ideas, articles, and perspectives. They check in simply because it’s been a while. Over time, those small interactions create something incredibly valuable: trust. And trust is often what opens doors long before a position is ever announced.
As executive recruiters, we see the hidden side of the hiring market every day. Many leadership conversations begin months before a role is posted, if it’s posted at all. Boards, CEOs, and hiring leaders frequently start by asking their networks one simple question:
“Who do you know?”
The professionals who consistently come to mind aren’t necessarily the loudest voices or the most active job seekers. They’re the people who have invested in relationships over time. That’s one of the many reasons why we encourage people not to think of networking as a task on a to-do list. Think of it as building your professional reputation one conversation at a time.
Summer offers a natural opportunity to reconnect with former colleagues, schedule that coffee you’ve been putting off, attend an industry event, or simply reach out to someone whose career you’ve admired. You never know which conversation will lead to your next client, your next mentor, your next hire, or your next leadership opportunity.
We’re fortunate to spend our days speaking with communications, public relations, and marketing leaders across the country. One thing has become remarkably clear: careers are rarely changed by a single application. They’re changed by relationships.
While everyone else waits for the hiring market to pick up after Labor Day, consider using the summer to invest in something that appreciates over time – your network. Because the best opportunities often find the people who never stopped building relationships in the first place.
Singh Hecht Executive Search is a national boutique search firm specializing in the areas of public relations, communications, and marketing.