What do candidates searching for new job opportunities and IT professionals with established careers have in common? Both will benefit from developing solid relationships with a mentor.
It’s a misconception that newly minted, talented young tech people can’t learn from people who’ve been in the industry long term. Technology does change and evolve, but networking skill, business savvy and developing solid instincts for how to work well with others often must be learned on the job – or from a trusted mentor who can share the knowledge that comes from years of experience.
How will you benefit from making a solid connection with the right mentor? The following is a list of potential benefits for IT people:
- Credibility: A good relationship with the right person will automatically open new doors and possibilities, because a mentor brings the weight of his or her own reputation to invest in you.
- Advice: The right mentor will be able to listen to you, and provide a sounding board when you have to make difficult professional decisions. His or her experience can help you to navigate those all important business ‘life lessons’ you weren’t taught in coding or development classes.
- Networking: A mentor will automatically have contacts and relationships built by years of experience in the field. Given time, a great mentor will be invested in your success and will likely introduce you to their colleagues and peers, and make good recommendations.
- Motivation: Good relationships with mentors can have a number of healthy benefits for your outlook. For example, your mentor might become your greatest cheerleader for a new idea. Or, he or she might serve as a trusted ally during tough times. At the very least, a mentor will be able to provide a balanced perspective and insights when you confide in him or her about a situation or problem.
- Inspiration: Again, a mentor can be an invaluable resource for new ideas and spark your ambitions. When someone you respect says they will invest time in you, that can be a huge boost for your ego. Working with a mentor can help you to set goals and get excited about your future.
- Success: Experts are saying that professionals that take the time to develop good relationships with the right mentors will earn more money over the course of their career, for all of the reasons listed above. For more information about how a mentor can help you become successful, check out this article in CIO.com.
Convinced? In our Market Street Talent blog next week, we’ll cover the best ways for you find a mentor and get started building the relationship. In the meantime, we invite you to have a look at our updated job listings page and send us your resume. We always seeking to build relationships with talented tech professionals, and we want to hear from you!