Mentoring Services

How to use the Mentoring Partnership?

Suitable topics for discussion:

• Interview techniques/application writing/CVs or other job acquisition tactics
• Possible career directions or changes of direction
• Retirement/redundancy or career break preparation
• Starting your own business or beginning work as a consultant
• Internal networking and gaining promotion

To ensure both the mentor and mentee gain as much as possible from the partnership, it is important to understand the limitations and boundaries. You can download a sample agreement which you can each adapt to your own circumstances. It is suggested you both sign this agreement and that it becomes a point of reference as the partnership develops.

How to maximise the mentoring program?

1. Never ask your mentor to do something for you that you know you should or could do for yourself. Whatever anyone says, there is no way you learn more from other peoples mistakes as you do from your own. By trying things out for yourself you will learn more and you can then discuss what went wrong with your mentor. You will often feel frustrated that your mentor is not just giving you the answer to your dilemma or problem, but this is being done for your own good. However, if you genuinely have no idea how to go about something, make this clear to your mentor, otherwise the partnership could falter.
   
2. Don't ask too much of your mentor. Your mentor is there to help you with career and/or business issues only. Do not try to discuss personal issues such as relationship or money problems. A trained counsellor or citizen's advice bureau advisor would be a suitable source of help for these issues. Your mentor has a life of their own and may not always be able to meet as often as you would like. Empathise with their commitments and be ready to dissolve the partnership if your needs become incompatible.
   
3. Treat what your mentor says to you with the same confidentiality that you would wish your mentor to treat your own confidences. Never say "But my mentor said…" unless you are sure your mentor would not mind being quoted.
   
4. Don't be afraid to ask what you might feel are 'silly' questions. · What is said within the partnership is confidential so don't be afraid of appearing foolish or naïve. Your mentor is there to bounce ideas off, in a safe environment without fear of come back.
   
5. Use your mentor as a role model if you wish to, but do not try to replicate their career moves unless you are positive they overlap with your own. At times of difficulty it is tempting to take an easy route and follow someone elses lead. However, unless you are sure you wish to follow an identical path you should still be careful to make your own choices.
   
6. Ask for advice and welcome constructive criticism; do not assume that advice will be offered if it is not solicited. Be as specific as possible when asking for advice. A good mentor will offer both criticism and suggestions for your work, so be open to both.
   
7. Be considerate of your mentor's time. Respond promptly and be on time. On any specific occasion ask how much time your mentor has to spend with you and abide strictly by that request. Let your mentor suggest taking extra time if needed.
8. Listen attentively to what your mentor has to say. Although sometimes advice may seem irrelevant to you, often the information will become useful at some future date.
9. Seriously consider the advice given to you by your mentor, even if your immediate reaction is not positive. Beginning a response to advice or criticism with the words, "Yes, but..." is often a bad way to start.
10. Show appreciation for the time and assistance given to you by your mentor. Mentors need encouragement too, and constructive feedback will help your entor guide you in the most effective way.
11. Make only positive or neutral comments about your mentor to others. If, after a period of time, you don't believe that either you or your mentor are able to participate in an effective mentoring relationship, then don't be averse to discussing this with your mentor and possibly ending the relationship. If this occurs, we can assist in placing you in a relationship with a different mentor who may be a better match. If the relationship does end, if at all possible, try to end it on good terms.
12. Keep the door open with your mentor. You never know when you may need his or her advice or assistance at some point in the future. And later, when the formal mentoring relationship is no longer needed, consider staying in touch to provide "progress" reports.
13. Mentors have the right to expect that you will make contact as often as originally agreed upon, ask for advice, listen thoughtfully, advise your mentor about results, and keep confidences.
14. You should NOT expect your mentor to spend unlimited amounts of time on you.

Potential Pitfalls:
Mentoring and mentoring programs can sometimes be accompanied by obstacles and problems. There are at least three areas that need particular attention.

• Limited Time - Studies have found that finding the time and energy for mentoring pairs to get together is a great obstacle. Relatively short but frequent contacts between the participants through avenues such as online can sometimes result in shorter, regularly scheduled, in-person meetings.
  
  
• Overdependence - Overdependence can go in either direction in a mentoring relationship. However, a junior person may become overdependent on her mentor. It is important that both mentees and mentors always consider whether a mentoring match may have served its useful purpose. It is better to part company on amicable terms than to struggle with a relationship without a firm foundation.