In this competitive job market working with a mentor, either in-person or virtually, can advance your career by providing clarity and direction with your professional goals.
Gain the most from your mentorship by searching for a mentor who is established in your desired industry, while also using the following tips to maximize your mentorship experience.
- Review potential mentors to determine who will be an ideal match to help you achieve your goals.
- Familiarize yourself with your mentor's accomplishments.?
- Be aware of your mentor's responsibilities outside of the mentorship.
2. Establish Clear Goals?
- Prepare a detailed list of career goals to provide to your mentor.
- Evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, & growth opportunities.
- Discuss which goals are attainable in 6 months, 1 year, and 5 years.
- Work together to create a career plan.
- Determine specific questions to ask your mentor before every meeting.
3. Maintain Communication?
- Establish a professional and friendly rapport with your mentor as they can be a potential resource throughout your career.
- Schedule monthly meetings with your mentor.?
- Update your mentor on your progress or any road bumps you've encountered.
- Let your mentor know how grateful you are for the time & effort they put into the mentorship.
- Praise them on social media including recommending them on LinkedIn.
- Ask what you can do to help them.
- Write a testimony of the mentorship to use on their promotional materials, if appropriate.
5. Leverage Your Experience?
- Implement strategies you've learned during your mentorship into your daily work ethic.
- Focus on goals you established with your mentor by following the discussed plan.
- Utilize your mentor as a resource & contact them with questions.
- Ask for a reference, if needed.
- Connect with them on LinkedIn & search for contacts that may further your career.
The power of guidance from your mentor can boost your success!
