| Mentoring is a relationship that is
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| | appreciate the recognition, and are
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| established with someone who is an expert
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| | willing to share their knowledge and
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| in their field. The mentor is usually
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| | wisdom.
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| older and more experienced than the
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| | - At the meeting, effectively communicate
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| mentee. The mentor shares their
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| | your need for a mentor, your vision of
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| experiences, and the lessons they have
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| | the future. Define the relationship and
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| learned. But the relationship benefits
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| | why you would like this person to be your
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| both the mentor and the mentee. The
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| | career mentor.
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| mentor benefits from the opportunity to
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| | - Find out how involved the potential
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| strengthen their leadership skills. The
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| | mentor wants to be in this relationship.
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| mentee receives career guidance and
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| | - Give them a chance to think about it -
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| helpful career advice to prepare for the
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| | tell them you will get back to them in a
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| next level in their career.
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| | couple of days.
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| Many companies have formal mentoring
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| | 4. The Relationship:
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| programs in place for matching new
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| | - Set up the parameters of the
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| employees with those already established
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| | relationship together, how often, when &
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| in their career. If you are choosing your
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| | where you will meet, and the length of
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| own mentors here are five tips to ensure
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| | the meeting.
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| a successful relationship:
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| | - Respect your mentor's time. Show up on
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| 1. A good career mentor:
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| | time for your meetings. If you have to
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| - Is knowledgeable in their field
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| | cancel your meeting, give at least 24
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| - Is generous and honest with advice
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| | hours notice.
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| - Is a good communicator
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| | - Set up boundaries for phone calls.
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| - Is committed to the relationship
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| | Between meetings call only if absolutely
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| - Will get to know their mentee: her/his
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| | necessary.
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| capabilities, interests and goals
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| | - Use your scheduled meetings effectively
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| - Will make recommendations for the
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| | by organizing your materials and the
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| mentee's career development and path
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| | topics you would like to discuss.
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| - Will create learning opportunities and
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| | - Pay for your own meals and drinks or
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| heighten the mentee's career
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| | offer to pick up the tab for your
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| - Will introduce the mentee to key people
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| | mentor's meal.
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| and professional organizations
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| | - If you are given an assignment,
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| 2. Choosing a career mentor:
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| | complete it on time.
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| - Choose someone you admire
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| | - Show your appreciation by offering to
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| - Look outside your immediate work area -
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| | help your mentor in any way possible.
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| maybe your boss's boss.
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| | Send a thank-you e-mail communicating how
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| - Choose someone in another area of your
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| | this relationship has helped you or send
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| organization who has had a career path
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| | a gift to recognize a special day for
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| similar to your goal.
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| | your mentor.
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| - Find multiple mentors (I have clients
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| | - Recognize when the relationship is
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| working with more than one mentor in a
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| | winding down, communicate this, and wrap
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| formal relationship).
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| | it up. If you would like to stay in touch
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| To find a career mentor outside of your
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| | with occasional updates of your career
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| organization, join professional
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| | successes, clear it with your mentor at
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| associations where you can meet senior
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| | the end of the relationship.
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| people and executives in your field.
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| | - Obtain approval from your mentor before
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| 3. Setting up the Mentor/Mentee
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| | using them as a reference.
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| Relationship:
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| | There are many benefits to a career
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| - Before seeking a mentor's assistance,
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| | mentorship, for both parties. Mentees
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| make a plan. What do you expect from your
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| | gain the benefit of someone's experience
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| mentor? What do you want to focus on? How
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| | to help them navigate their career
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| much time do want to commit to this
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| | development. Mentors have the opportunity
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| relationship? It is important for you to
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| | to reflect on their careers. Having clear
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| be clear about your expectations for your
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| | goals and communicating these will ensure
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| own benefit and in order to communicate
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| | that the experience is positive and
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| this to your potential mentor.
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| | productive.
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| - Invite the potential mentor to lunch or
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| | Copyright 2007, Cecile Peterkin.
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| coffee to discuss your intention. Mentors
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