Even if your employer doesn’t have a formal mentoring program you can benefit from a mentor. Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity or a formalized mentor program. You can take charge of your performance success and career and develop your own mentoring relationship. The ideal mentor will not be your manager but will be someone in your same field, in a position you aspire, is respected in your organization or industry, and someone with whom you have a good professional relationship. Identify at least two potential mentors within your organization or another company. Develop goals and general guidelines for your mentoring relationship, as well as, questions to help you identify a good mentoring match. Schedule an appointment with the first potential mentor on your list and discuss your ideas for a mentoring relationship. You may wish to meet with all potential mentors to determine the best fit for you. After you have identified your mentor, develop a written mentoring agreement with goals, guidelines, and an evaluation method. It’s usually a good idea to discuss the mentoring relationship with your manager for support through the process. A mentoring relationship should help you make good business and career decisions.

Please Note: This material is provided as general information and is not a substitute for legal or other professional advice. Contact the Knowledge Center for more information.

Express Request

SHRM’s Express Request (ER) service allows members to request and receive resources on over 100 timely HR topics via e-mail. Available Express Requests are listed on the web site, and responses are sent immediately.