Growing your career with a mentor

This is the time when your career growth could rest heavily on your relationship with a mentor. When jobs seem scarce and economies look bleak, the best jobs remain in the hidden job market where it all depends on who knows you. A good mentor will have connections, advice and insight on how to grow your career in these tough times. There is no rule that says you can have only one mentor.{{more}} In fact, it will be to your advantage to have a few mentor type relationships that can help you grow in different areas of your personal and professional life. Before you start your search for a mentor, consider the following.

1. Be very clear about why you want a mentor. Write down all the reasons you need a mentor and be able to articulate them later.

2. Describe who your ideal person will be. Take into consideration their experience and qualifications and current position. Make a list of those qualities.

3. Once you are clear on the attributes of a potential mentor, make a list of prospects who might fit your criteria. We all would like a high profile mentor but sometimes the best mentors are the ones that are not high profile as they have time to guide you and may have deeper connections and knowledge on certain issues that could prove to be invaluable to you. Don’t get star struck.

4. Begin by talking to a few trusted colleagues and tell them you are searching for a mentor. If you see someone you think might fit your description of the ideal person, invite them to coffee or schedule an informational interview.

5. During your meeting, ask that person if it’s acceptable for you to call on them occasionally for advice as an informal mentor. Most people would say yes, but if you find that person sounding hesitant, it could be that they are not interested or their time will not permit another commitment. Don’t take it personally. If they say yes, great, if not be gracious, thank them for their time and move onto the next person on your list.

6. Ask if your company has a formal mentoring program or check the associations you belong to. If your company has a formal program, talk to the program coordinator.

7. Don’t be a leech. Although your mentor is supposed to help you, please do not suck them dry of their time, talents and resources. Figure out what you can also offer your mentor, so it becomes a mutually beneficial relationship.

This article is an excerpt from the book Networking for a Better Position and More Profit by Karen Hinds.

Karen Hinds President/CEO –
Workplace Success Group,
Toll Free: 1-877-902-2775;
Tel: 1-203-757-4103
A CT Winner of the Make Mine a Million Dollar Business award!
Karen@WorkplaceSuccess.com