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MOVING ON UP
Ultimately, the most successful mentoring
relationships are those where both parties are
learning new things’
TEN TIPS
‘
for finding a mentor
1. Consider the reasons for looking for a mentor. Is it with that person, try to elicit their view on how
about helping the progress of your career? Is it to open, challenging yet supportive this person may
expand your knowledge into a different sector? be. Ask for advice on how best to approach
Knowing the reasons will help you find a relevant them.
mentor. 7. Prepare for the meeting. After identifying one or two
2. Explore what you are looking for in a mentor. Is it people you think you would like to have as your
someone to be a great sounding board or someone mentor, get in touch with them one at a time and
to share their personal experience and expertise? request an exploratory meeting. If the potential
This will help you be clear in your communication as mentor does not know you, is there someone who
you approach a potential mentor. can make the introduction for you? Have a CV avail-
3. Review how important it is to have a mentor close at able to provide background information.
hand. Consider whether it would be possible to 8. Outline an agenda. Request an initial meeting of
work with someone by phone, Skype or even video- around 30 minutes. The goal is to outline why you
conferencing, making use of the new and free social are looking for a mentor and explore if the person
media platforms such as
Oovoo.com. might consider filling that role. Avoid putting the
4. Consider what you will bring to the mentoring rela- potential mentor under pressure to make a decision
tionship. Are you committed to taking action? What immediately.
specific experience have you had that might be of 9. Follow up after the meeting — this could be a hand-
interest to a mentor? In successful mentoring rela- written note thanking them for their time. If the per-
tionships, both the mentor and the mentee benefit, son cannot be your mentor, this could engage their
so be clear about what you can bring to the table. support in finding someone else.
5. Review your immediate network. Is there someone 10. Take action. If you have found a mentor to work
you already know who you trust and value, or some- with, plan and schedule your first meeting. Prepare
one in your workplace you could approach? Perhaps a draft agenda outlining the subject areas you
your mentor could be someone you have met in a would like to cover in your first meeting such as
professional network or worked with in the past. confidentiality, frequency of meetings and the scope
Bear in mind that it will be easier to approach some- of what you would like to discuss. Seek the men-
one you already know. tor’s input into the draft agenda. Preparing for
6. Before contacting a potential mentor, do your the meeting will demonstrate commitment to the
research. If you know someone who has worked relationship.
Tips provided by Krishna De
78 Marketing Age May/June ‘08
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