Finding a Mentor

Here’s some advice on finding a mentor from the book “How to Survive Your First Job (or Any Job)” (Hundreds of Heads Books, www.hundredsofheads.com, $14.95), straight from people who’ve done it:

“Work for the smartest person you can find who will be willing to be a coach to you. I believe strongly in formal education, but I believe informal education is the single biggest shaper of your career. When I was younger, I started off in a consulting firm. My first year, we were working for a large automotive company in Brazil, and my supervisor gave me a key role. One of the things I had to do was give a presentation in front of our clients. I wasn’t altogether comfortable doing it, so he spent time on a Sunday and coached me through the presentation. He gave me responsibility early on, and he gave me support when I needed it.”

“I was lucky when I found my mentor at my first job out of college. One of the account managers liked me because we had a lot in common, and she took me under her wing while she was trying to advance her own career. She took the time to teach me the ropes. She would give me new and interesting projects and would help guide me and discuss my progress. She wanted to help me advance to the next level, and it worked: I was promoted within a year.”

“Some new workers simply don’t know the questions to ask advisers and mentors that will help them plan their career. I asked my mentors: How did you get into the industry? What exactly does your job entail? What does someone starting out in your industry need to know? What does someone starting out in your industry need to do? The guidance I received led me to my current position as an executive in an advertising agency.”

“My first mentor was my boss at an online advertising agency. When I was hired, I had no clue what I was doing. My boss guided me. He fielded all of my stupid questions and didn’t get mad when I did something wrong. He offered a ton of constructive criticism and put me on the path to becoming successful. I found that very inspiring because I’ve had other bosses who don’t take the time to sit down and really teach. If you’re just starting out, learning and trying can be a very humbling experience. Try to pinpoint the person who will be patient and who can offer you the most guidance.”

“My first job out of law school was at a small boutique law firm. Because there were so few lawyers at the firm, I had the opportunity to work very closely with my boss. I tried not to kiss up to her. Instead, I put all of my energy into working hard and completing every task she presented to me. She told me that I made her life much easier. I believed that it was important to impress her with my legal knowledge and hard work, rather than with gifts and small talk. It’s been 20 years since that first job, and my boss has moved to three different jobs. Once she was settled at each, she brought me in with her. We still work together, but now as partners.”

Hundreds of Heads Books’ survival guides offer the wisdom of the masses by assembling the experiences and advice of hundreds of people who have gone through life’s biggest challenges and have insight to share. Visit www.hundredsofheads.com to share your advice or get more information.