Mentors Can Put Your Career in Motion

by Alex A. Kecskes

You're reached a plateau in your administrative career, or you're just starting out and eager to move up. A good mentor can teach you new skills, offer sage advice, and boost your self-confidence. Better still, a skilled, experienced mentor can help you avoid many career stifling "landmines" when you're just starting out. They can also connect you with the right people or department heads to ease your corporate climb.

It's often best to have several mentors—those who share your background and those who come from a different background. The idea is to have a rich reservoir of viewpoints and attitudes from which you can draw on for advice and support. Mentors can be found in your peers, business associates, and even competitors—achievers and "comers" who people have come to like both personally and professionally.

Choose mentors who can help you add a new skill set or improve your knowledge in an area you need to succeed. Once you've targeted a potential mentor, set up a meeting or telephone call and state your goals clearly. Build the relationship slowly to establish trust. Don't ask for a job or "mine" him or her for a list of contacts.

Follow through on your mentor's advice given to you during your first meeting. Show your appreciation and demonstrate what you've learned during your second and subsequent meetings. And always thank your mentor—preferably in person, or at least by phone or email.

Check out this interesting video, Finding the Right Mentor.

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