Yes, you can usually keep genuine relationships warm during a cool-off period. The key is that the conversations should not turn into repeated attempts to bypass the reapplication timing.

A cool-off period limits when you can re-enter the formal recruiting process. It does not mean you need to stop speaking with people you already know or avoid normal industry conversations.

Good reasons to reconnect include sharing a meaningful career update, asking about a practice area you are exploring, or thanking someone whose earlier advice helped you. A monthly status check about whether the rule changed is different and can feel transactional.

Use the period to build a stronger profile and keep only the relationships that are genuinely useful. When you become eligible again, you will have something substantive to update people on rather than restarting every conversation from zero.