business strategy
A
re you at a stage in your career where you think
a change would benefit you, either professionally
and/or personally? Or perhaps you are just starting
on your career path? Whether you are at the beginning of your
career, mid-career, or considering a career change, having a
mentor is an invaluable source of support to help you in the
commencement of or transition through this.
It can be so useful to have another person (a mentor) help you:
• Evaluate your current situation
• Explore what you want to experience and achieve in your
career
• Make decisions about career changes you want (or need) to
make
•
Establish goals that will direct your focus and energy
ESSENTIAL MENTOR QUALITIES
What are essential qualities of an effective mentor? And how
do you find a mentor who has the qualities and experience you
need to help you make that career decision? Your mentor needs
to possess attributes (interpersonal qualities, skills, experience,
knowledge) that align with who you are, your values, your
communication style. This is fundamental. Having a worthwhile
career conversation involves a myriad of these attributes from
both yourself and your mentor, such as:
• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Intention
• Valuing what each of you bring to the relationship
• Effective listening
• Skilful questioning
• Knowledge of decision-making and problem-solving
processes
• Feedback skills that is strengths-based
•
SKILLS AND VALUES INVENTORY
Another good idea is to create a personal skills and values
inventory. This exercise will help you to identify and confirm
what you bring to your new/revised career. Being clear
about what your skills and values are will help you make the
decision for "Where to next?"
Draw up two columns headed 'Skills' and 'Values'. List your
core skills and core values and keep adding to this as you
reflect on your past career experiences and achievements.
Then, highlight or underline the skills and values that you
believe will give you direction in your career decision. Ask
yourself how the values and skills you have identified fit with
the way you want to work now and in the future.
Having a successful career is completely subjective. What
one person views as success and satisfaction in their career
can be very different from the next person. You need to
consider what YOU want to achieve, what your goals are for
your career and some potential actions you can take. As
mentioned in the beginning of this article, having a mentor
is a valuable way to get support in this journey. The Career
Conversation is just that - a supportive conversation with a
mentor about your goals and your thoughts about what you
want, or, an opportunity to voice your doubts and admit you
are stuck.
The Career Conversation isn't a one-sided dialogue with
someone telling you what to do and how to do it (although
sometimes you feel like this would be so much easier!). Find
a mentor who ticks the interpersonal qualities and skills
you are looking for, someone who will help you commence,
traverse or transition through your career path.
A willingness to share opinions and perspectives.
BE PREPARED
Before you and the mentor meet, it can be beneficial to do a
personal ‘stock-take’ of your current position and what you are
thinking is your next career move. Ask yourself questions like:
•
•
•
•
•
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“What is prompting me to consider making a career
change?”
“What differences will this change make for me
professionally? Personally?”
“What values guide me?”
“What are my key motivators? What gives me inspiration?”
“What interests me?”
“What (if any) aspects of my career experience to date do I
want to retain? Take in to a new career?”
AUTHOR
LESLEY PETERSEN
Petersen Consulting
Mentoring Specialist
[email protected]