How to succeed in your career


Building Your Career Support Network

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



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