Career Marketing

Find a Career Coach or Mentor

Wherever you go, whatever you do in your career, you are the only one who will be there every step of the way. But, if at any point along the journey, you can get competent help, it pays to use it. Even Olympic athletes have coaches. Coaches can give you the competitive edge. A coach is a tool, like any other.

What a coach can do

A coach is a paid professional who can help diagnose and sort out your situation and opportunities, chart your goals and career path. A coach can offer new strategies for coping with office politics and competition, and teach you vital stress management and communications skills. He or she can also help you to look objectively at yourself and your career, provide a broader view, and generally give support in the world of work.

What a mentor can do

Much the same as a coach, though unpaid, plus introduce you to useful contacts, and show by example. A mentor should not be your boss (40% chance of dismissal!), but be careful - your boss may feel threatened by your mentor. Someone senior retired from your company would be best.

How and whom to choose

First, determine your needs. If you want a professional coach, look in yellow pages and ask about training, specialisation, experience, fees and references. A mentor need not work for your company, or be a lot older; anyone who is willing and has relevant expertise would do. Proximity is desirable but not essential, as you can correspond. Shop around. Do not expect the relationship to last long - a series of mentors is normal.

Benefits to the mentor

The personal satisfaction that comes with sharing knowledge and experience, the feeling that your work will live on, the boost to the ego from being wanted, the excitement and energy generated by sharing new ideas, the chance to reflect on your experiences.

Benefits to your company

New and junior staff receive training from experienced people.

Potential disadvantages

The junior may repeat the faults and weaknesses of the mentor. Being a mentor may take up too much time. One party's failure could embarrass the other. Participants may become too involved. Jealousy may cause rivals to try and hamper the junior's career. Expectations could become unrealistic. Self-confidence and growth could be eroded. Your boss may not like it.