| The single characteristic shared by all truly | | | | Mentors can be invaluable to your career. |
| successful people is the ability to create | | | | They too can provide advice, feedback and |
| and nurture a network of supporters. We all | | | | career guidance. It's always good to hear |
| need support from others in order to achieve | | | | another perspective and have another resource |
| our career goals. This help comes in many | | | | outside 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 project | | | | mentor may have different strengths. You may |
| or job, or obtaining key information to help | | | | have 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 Network | | | | outside of your organization. |
| | | | |
| The benefits of a strong network are several. | | | | Besides your supervisor and mentors, other |
| You can gain knowledge and skills, and learn | | | | people 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 has | | | | team members, and colleagues who are in your |
| "been there and done that". A mentor can | | | | profession or industry. |
| provide you with coaching, advice and career | | | | |
| guidance, which will help you make better | | | | How to Build Your Network |
| decisions. | | | | |
| | | | Once you've identified who is important to |
| Having a strong network can help you find a | | | | include in your network, work on building |
| job. Did you know that 85% of jobs are found | | | | those relationships. When you meet someone |
| through referrals? That points to the | | | | you think you can learn from, suggest getting |
| importance of networking. If you have a | | | | together for coffee or lunch. Get to know |
| strong network when you lose your job, then | | | | the other person by asking questions. Learn |
| you'll be much more likely to find a job more | | | | about their job, career aspirations, |
| quickly. Your network acts as a safety net | | | | strengths, 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 you | | | | you find leverage to help each other? What |
| perform better on your job. Research by | | | | can 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 of | | | | a 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 their | | | | seek advice or feedback in a particular area; |
| problems much more quickly and be more | | | | for 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 Master | | | | how helpful they were. This can open the |
| Sergeant in the National Guard. She credits | | | | door to more mentoring in the future. |
| Lieutenant Elizabeth Robinson as being | | | | |
| instrumental in her promotion, because | | | | You'll want to maintain your relationships |
| Robinson had the ear of senior leadership and | | | | over 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 Network | | | | to show your appreciation with thank you |
| | | | notes, cards, or even small gifts when people |
| Your network can consist of a number of | | | | go "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 is | | | | By implementing these ideas for building your |
| your immediate supervisor. You should be | | | | network, you can learn more, perform better, |
| getting coaching, career advice, and feedback | | | | and advance your career. Ultimately, your |
| from your supervisor. If not, then be | | | | support network will help you to achieve your |
| proactive and ask for it. | | | | career goals! |
| | | | |