CAREER MENTORS ARE GOOD FOR YOU Pauline Byers MBE

Before Finding a Career Mentor Questions to consider: Why do you need a Career Mentor? How can a career mentor help Where do you want to be in 5 years? Have you completed a SWOT analysis? Have you created a 5 year plan? Think Win! Win! Don’t Play the Victim

What is a career mentor? A career mentor is someone who provides career advice and assistance.

What is a career mentor Guide you throughout or aspects of your career.

Advice given is: indispensable both starting out when moving up the career ladder.

How can a Career Mentor Help? set and achieve goals avoid career mistakes navigate office politics and bureaucracy.

Tips for Finding a Good Mentor Research the field and find out about the people who are in it. Create a list of people who seem like good fits with you

Begin by Start contacting them slowly at first - a polite and formal , for example - and see who responds.

Forming A relationship Try to form a relationship, and get to know their personalities even as you try to exhibit yours.

Go with your gut feelings When you find the right mentor, you'll know it.

People like helping other people! By asking a prospective mentor for help they are being told they are admired for what they do# career is in demand experiences and insights are valuable to others start asking, you'll be surprised how receptive people are.

A mentor should have experience in the field or specialty in which you work, or aspire to work Choose a mentor who is local or nearby, if possible, and ideally someone in your organisation

What to look for Find a mentor who has a good balance similarities and differences compared to your strengths and weaknesses.

Steps to Perusing Your Dream Job Find someone who already works in that field who can offer guidance and advice Do it afraid / Feel the fear and do it

Developing and Advancing your Career for Success Networking Navigate politics and Learn what they didn't teach you in school.

What Your Mentor Will Encourage You to Do Raise Your Profile Look for suitable jobs Read job specification Join a Recruitment Company – tell them the type of role you are interested in Aim High

Committ to Personal Investment Keep you CV updated and professional (not more than 2 pages Complete a 5 year plan Work to a Excellent standard Maintain a professional portfolio Access Regular training and Complete Appropriate training Invest 10% of your income into your CPD

Networking Start early to maintain contact join professional associations and attend meetings when possible. a national society or professional association etc. Never stop networking – Even if you have a great job.

NETWORKING Assume each person you meet is a valuable connection. If you leave a company, be sure to leave on good terms, try to stay in touch. Combine “inter-net-working” with face-to-face personal networking. When networking online, use reputable sites and obey the rules Get out and About! The more places you go, events you attend, and people you meet, the more successful you’ll be