Is Networking with Family Members for Work Ever a Good Idea?

Sure it is! Your family is one of your most important spheres of influence; those who comprise this category in your network are not only highly influential in both your professional and personal life, but they’re the ones who best know, like and trust you—and should also be considered your most avid supporters.

But be sure you don’t reach out to your family only when you need something. For any relationship to be successful it should be nurtured and developed, hopefully through a mutual benefit. It’s a good idea to first determine your value and what you offer to your family members, before you start asking for favors. Make it a point to keep in touch and send an email or text message every so often, even just to say hello. This is also a great opportunity to reconnect with those in your family you may not have spoken to in a while, since re-establishing relationships can bring you great rewards.

That being said, just because someone is family doesn’t mean it’s a given that you’ll definitely put your name behind them. For instance, maybe your cousin is looking to apply for an open job at your company; you know the hiring manager personally, and you’ve been asked to make an introduction. It takes time to instill confidence and trust with others, and you need to be absolutely sure your cousin will uphold the level of connection you’ve already created. As Warren Buffet said: “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” So just be careful in not getting blinded by your lineage … otherwise, go for it!

Make it a great day and remember to always NetWorkWise!

The article was originally published on Quora.