Respect Your Mentor’s Schedule

In addition to attending the right school and working at the right company, one’s career success can be greatly boosted by securing the right mentor. As with those other decisions, choosing the right mentor for you can be a tricky proposition. The best mentor for you isn’t always the one who has had the most success in life, but the one who matches your personality, value system and spiritual compass.

Take time to research your prospective mentors and learn about them not just as professionals, but as people. Where were they born and how far have they come life, and why? Only when you have done your homework will you be prepared to reach out to your chosen mentor. By knowing the details of their success, and you have demonstrated a level of commitment that will make them more comfortable about investing their time and energy into you. Just don’t be overly aggressive.

This article elaborates, “If there’s any etiquette when it comes to seeking career advice, the first rule might be to avoid scaring off the potential mentor… Don’t expect the mentor to follow-up. Most mentors are busy people—especially if they’re prominent. It’s probably going to fall on you to proactively send regular updates on your progress, and request sit-downs.”

Strike a balance with your mentor’s time and schedule. Respect their time constraints and learn when and where to meet works best for them. Offer to buy them a coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening. Make the meeting for them a relaxing and rewarding experience. Show your appreciation by respecting their time.

Photo courtesy of Fairfax county.