| The single characteristic shared by all truly successful | | | | Mentors can be invaluable to your career. They too |
| people is the ability to create and nurture a network | | | | can provide advice, feedback and career guidance. |
| of supporters. We all need support from others in | | | | It's always good to hear another perspective and |
| order to achieve our career goals. This help comes in | | | | have another resource outside of your supervisor. In |
| many forms - seeking career advice from a mentor, | | | | fact, I would encourage you to have multiple |
| being recommended for a sought-after project or | | | | mentors. Each mentor may have different strengths. |
| job, or obtaining key information to help you solve a | | | | You may have one mentor with technical expertise |
| problem on the job. | | | | and another with outstanding management or people |
| Benefits of Your Network | | | | skills. You also may have another mentor outside of |
| The benefits of a strong network are several. You | | | | your organization. |
| can gain knowledge and skills, and learn more quickly | | | | Besides your supervisor and mentors, other people |
| than you would have on your own. It's helpful to | | | | you may include in your network are those who |
| learn from someone who has "been there and done | | | | support you on the job, co-workers/team members, |
| that". A mentor can provide you with coaching, | | | | and colleagues who are in your profession or industry. |
| advice and career guidance, which will help you make | | | | How to Build Your Network |
| better decisions. | | | | Once you've identified who is important to include in |
| Having a strong network can help you find a job. Did | | | | your network, work on building those relationships. |
| you know that 85% of jobs are found through | | | | When you meet someone you think you can learn |
| referrals? That points to the importance of | | | | from, suggest getting together for coffee or lunch. |
| networking. If you have a strong network when you | | | | Get to know the other person by asking questions. |
| lose your job, then you'll be much more likely to find | | | | Learn about their job, career aspirations, strengths, |
| a job more quickly. Your network acts as a safety | | | | and needs. Look for ways that you can provide |
| net in your career. | | | | assistance. After all, networking is a two-way street. |
| Having a strong network can actually help you | | | | Where can you find leverage to help each other? |
| perform better on your job. Research by Robert | | | | What can you learn from this person? Be sure to |
| Kelley, author of "Be a Star at Work" found | | | | thank him for his time. Then keep in touch on a |
| networking to be a key competency of high | | | | regular basis. |
| performers. Effective networkers know who to go | | | | For a prospective mentor, ask to meet and seek |
| to for the information they need. Therefore, they're | | | | advice or feedback in a particular area; for example, |
| able to solve their problems much more quickly and | | | | career advice or feedback on your performance. |
| be more productive. | | | | After your meeting, not only thank him for his time, |
| Your network can also help you get promoted. Sally | | | | but also try out his suggestions and follow-up to let |
| Donahe was the first female Master Sergeant in the | | | | him know how helpful they were. This can open the |
| National Guard. She credits Lieutenant Elizabeth | | | | door to more mentoring in the future. |
| Robinson as being instrumental in her promotion, | | | | You'll want to maintain your relationships over time, |
| because Robinson had the ear of senior leadership | | | | especially with those you work most closely. The |
| and touted Sally's accomplishments. | | | | people who support you in your job are especially |
| Who Should be in Your Network | | | | important. Be sure to show your appreciation with |
| Your network can consist of a number of people - | | | | thank you notes, cards, or even small gifts when |
| your manager, mentors, co-workers, other colleagues | | | | people go "above and beyond the call of duty" to |
| in your profession, etc. The most important person in | | | | support you. |
| your network is your immediate supervisor. You | | | | By implementing these ideas for building your |
| should be getting coaching, career advice, and | | | | network, you can learn more, perform better, and |
| feedback from your supervisor. If not, then be | | | | advance your career. Ultimately, your support |
| proactive and ask for it. | | | | network will help you to achieve your career goals! |