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Mentors and Career Advice

The Aspects of a Great Mentor

When choosing a mentor, it is important to find someone who has all of the aspects of a great mentor. A mentor is someone who can provide you with wonderful professional advice as well as personal advice when you need it. A mentor is also someone who has a good deal of experience and can give you expert information. Furthermore, a mentor is also someone who is willing to spend time with you discussing your career and life choices. The guide below should help you to identify the perfect mentor.

Is this a person who I trust?

Get In The Know: Talking to People in Your Industry

One of the best ways to learn about your industry and to make connections therein is to talk to current professionals. Use every chance that you have to speak to people who are currently working in your career field of choice. If you happen to meet someone at a social event, on the bus, when you are out to lunch, or any other time, be sure to pick their brain a bit about their professional life. Furthermore, be sure to get their card or contact information and ask them if you might give them a call to ask a few more questions in the future.

Look Before You Leap: Joining a Start-up Company

In some ways, start-up companies are the best kind of companies to work for. If you join a start-up company and are key in getting the business off of the ground, you might have the opportunity to advance quickly in the company. This is very desirable as it will provide you with a better salary and more responsibility within the company. Furthermore, jump-starting your career in this way will allow you to eventually take on advanced positions in other companies.

Using the Advice of a Mentor

Once you have found a great mentor, it is important to ask for his or her advice at important points in your career. When you are looking for a new job, be sure to engage your mentor in the process. Have him or her look over your resume, cover letter, portfolio, and any other materials that you will present during the application process. It is likely that your mentor has been involved in the hiring process in the past and will be able to give you great interviewing and application tips. Also, having another set of eyes to look over your application materials is a great asset.

Finding a Mentor

One of the best ways to learn more about your career field of choice is to find a mentor who has spent a great deal of time working in that field. A mentor is someone who provides you with both practical and personal advice regarding your career field. There are many ways to go about finding a mentor. It is best, however, to stay mindful about looking for a mentor. When you find the right person, it will be very apparent. A mentor is generally a teacher, senior co-worker, or even a relative who works in your career field and has a good deal of experience.

Get In The Know: Taking Advantage of Informational Interviews

Speaking with professionals who are currently working in your career field of choice is one of the best ways to learn about your prospective industry. You can meet such professionals through job fairs, part-time jobs, internships, and industry expositions. One way to get great face time with such individuals is to attend informational interviews. An informational interview is an event wherein you have the opportunity to learn about a company, how they work, and to ask questions about the industry as a whole.

Getting Help from Your Mentor

In addition to being able to provide you with great professional advice, a mentor might also be able to give you great connections in your career field. Your mentor may be able to suggest other individuals to whom you should speak or organizations that would be good to get involved with. Your mentor may also invite you to professional events where you will be able to meet other people in your industry and network.

Get A Killer Resume

In order to get a great job, you need to have a great resume. A great resume is made up of a number of different important components. Please use the guide below to help build a resume that is sure to impress prospective employers.

Education and Training

Be sure to list all degrees and training certificated that you have received. Also, note any distinction that your degree was granted. If you won any academic awards during your time in school, be sure to list this as well. If you had a good GPA in school, note it on your resume.

Pathways to Success: The Importance of Strong Communication Skills

One of the most important traits that will lead you to success is a great ability to communicate. When you are first starting out in your career, you will spend a great deal of time networking. You can network through internships, part-time jobs, speaking with professors, attending informational interviews, and surveying job fairs. In order to properly network and make important connections, then you must have a strong set of communication skills.

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