I have being "tortured" - it's a good punishment though...my mother keeps making homemade bread and I keep eating it! Warm bread with the butter melting...can 2012 get here now, so I can start my diet. Aaah, no place like home and no person like my mother:)
Well, we have reached day 10 of our career success planning journey together...so what else could I have up my sleeves for you? Let's jump right in...on the 10th day of the holidays, my career coach said to me:
Identify and get a good mentor
It is good to have a pool of trusted individuals and advisors you can turn to when making critical career decisions, but who do you call on when you need to have a good heart-to-heart, transparent, eye-opening talk? If you are simply turning to close friends and family when you are stuck in your career progress, you are missing out on a vital resource that can benefit you for years to come - a mentor.
Every professional and executive should have a mentor. A mentor is ideally someone who is a supportive ally, who can offer you exposure to major assignments, help position you for promotions and serve as your personal cheerleader as your advance in your career.
Still not sure that you need a mentor regardless of your career situation? Here are seven benefits you get with a mentor:
1) Direct introduction or referrals to top players in your organization especially if you work in a very large, multi-layered organization.
2) Personal guidance on building strong relationships and getting access to key individuals who can help you excel in your career.
3) Access to the inside scoop on corporate culture and tips for navigating company politics or learning to "play the game."
4) Recommendations for high-profile projects and company initiatives and even strong support for new internal job opportunities.
5) Advice on your business strategy, your personal communication skills and honest feedback on your professional reputation.
6) Information on what is going on at the top of the company and long-term issues that would impact
So, what makes an ideal mentor? It really depends on where you are in your career and what your immediate career goals, however, three key things to look for are:
-- someone who is very successful in his/her career, a respected leader, an excellent communicator and who genuinely encourages and supports others in the same profession or field.
-- someone who is direct, honest and can give valuable, constructive criticism and advice.
-- someone who is well-connected, active in volunteer/community activities and very politically astute.
Related posts:
Day 1: Conduct an honest self-assessment
Day 2: Say goodbye to career mistakes and disappointments
Day 3: Jump start your long lost career dreams
Day 4: Take credit for your life and career achievements
Day 5: Identify and promote your personal brand
Day 6: Create a standout resume
Day 7: Beef up your online presence and get your "voice" heard
Day 8: Invest in your professional development
Day 9: Build relationships and expand your network
About Abby, Executive Career Architect, Job Search Expert, Master Resume Writer
Ask yourself these questions:
-- Does your executive resume accurately describe your management style and leadership capabilities?
-- Is your executive resume rich with compelling Challenge-Action-Results success stories that indicate your value contribution?
-- Does your executive resume convey enthusiasm or energy motivating employers to contact you?
-- Has your executive resume been generating a stream of employer responses for the right jobs?
If you have answered no to any of these questions, you should be talking to Abby Locke. She is an executive resume writer helps senior-level executives to achieve career success through cutting-edge, brand-focused career documents and proactive career management strategies.
Her distinctive executive resume samples have been published in 14 national career publications...click here to schedule a resume consultation.
