What would former supervisor think if I try to send LinkedIn invite after quite some years without contact?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP sounds more introverted than me but I left the federal govt last year after a LONG time and I had never networked because I planned to stay until retirement.

It was scary but I started emailing contacts I hadn’t spoken to in many years and arranging calls, connecting on linked on, asking contacts for bands if others to contact and arranging calls. Most everyone was very kind and helpful and it got easier once I kept doing it. I was lucky that the job prospects in my field were good but I also am very proud of myself for getting over the fear of reaching out to people. I decided I wasn’t doing anything wrong - I was polite and certainly was t hounding anyone. The worst that could happen is they’d ignore me or decline to talk.

Thanks. I am exactly the type of person who had never networked.

[Anonymous]

Always be networking. Never get comfortable. Don't trust any of these companies.


Signed,

Introverted ex-fed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Always be networking. Never get comfortable. Don't trust any of these companies.


Signed,

Introverted ex-fed

If it weren’t for a specific reason, I wouldn’t consider changing jobs. Government jobs used to be stable, and networking wasn’t really necessary, at least that is what I believed. I like current USDA agency and planed to stay till retirement, but not anymore.

Too many things have changed since the current administration came in, and it looks like more uncomfortable changes are ahead.

[Anonymous]

OP - sorry you're in this mess. You should feel confident in reaching out. It's totally normal and, given the circumstances, even more expected than usual.

Good luck!