Want an inside track to a successful career? Skill and hard work are important, yes--but one of the most valuable career assets any professional can have is a mentor: a more-experienced person in your field who guides you and helps you develop. "People who have mentors are more satisfied in their careers, get promoted more rapidly, and even make more money than those who don't," says Ellen Ensher, management professor at the Loyola Marymount College of Business Administration.
Many companies, professional organizations, and alumni associations have formal mentoring programs for their employees or members, and it's smart to take advantage of them. But with determination and a little finesse, you can also find a mentor on your own.
1. Develop your network.
Find a wide field of possible candidates by telling everyone you know that you're looking for a mentor. Then make a list of your "dream team"--industry leaders, bosses, people you admire, and so on. "Not everyone can have the CEO of NBC as their mentor, but often high-level executives will connect former proteges with people seeking mentors," says Enscher, who is a coauthor, with Susan Murphy, of "Power Mentoring: How Successful Mentors and Proteges Make the Most Out of Their Relationships."
2. Start small.
You can often find great mentors right in your office--but don't corner them in the break room and pop the question. "It's sort of like asking, 'Do you want to marry me?' and you haven't had a first date," says Ensher. Instead, start by asking one or two smart, specific questions when the opportunity arises. For example, if a senior VP gives a killer presentation on emerging markets, you might ask where she found her data, or if she could recommend any helpful web sites for you to check out.
3. Check your target mentor's resume.
Before talking to potential mentors, arm yourself with some background information. Check out their LinkedIn profiles. Read articles they've written or have been quoted in. Learn about the initiatives they've spear-headed. "You can find out everything about everyone in about three minutes now on the web," says Shelia Wellington, clinical professor of management and organizations at New York University's Stern School of Business, and the author of "Be Your Own Mentor." You don't want to spit back an executive's entire biography at the water cooler, but saying something like "I liked what you had to say about strategy in the newsletter this month" is a perfect ice-breaker.
4. Make a move.
If the executive is receptive to your questions and other small overtures, request a very short meeting--ten to fifteen minutes. "Start to ask little things about how the organization works, or ask for some feedback," says Wellington. The focus should be on how you can improve your skills and serve your employer more effectively--not how the executive can get you a promotion. And be sure to pay for the coffee!
5. Take his or her advice.
Enscher says mentors will often pose a series of implicit or explicit tests to potential proteges--telling them to read a certain book or join a particular trade organization, say. "Sometimes the relationship never gets off the ground because the potential protege doesn't follow through," she says. "So if mentor recommends "Outliers," go read it--and then tell her that you did." You'll show that you value the mentor's advice, and you'll have a perfect excuse to get back in touch.
6. Give back to your mentor.
Mentoring is a two-way street. The mentor is offering you his or her time and expertise and will expect something in return--no matter how young or inexperienced you are. Enscher says you shouldn't think that your relative youth means you have nothing to offer. Can you bring your mentor up-to-date on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter? Did you find a magazine article your mentor might find useful? Can you offer a fresh perspective on a project? Your offering doesn't have to be huge; it just needs to show that you appreciate the assistance you're receiving.
7. Watch the clock.
When you find a mentor or two, remember that giving you career guidance is not their job. Try to find ways to make the sessions as convenient as possible for them. Ensher says that she counsels her protege while walking her dog on the beach. "I spend an hour giving her coaching and advice," she says. "I also get my cardio in and my dog walked."
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