A mentor can provide valuable assistance to anyone who is just starting a career. This is especially true for someone who knows little about corporate bureaucracy. A mentor can help a person master the red tape which is found in many career fields and can ease one’s assimilation into the work force. A good mentor will enhance your career experience.

You will find that most of the companies provide comprehensive training programs for new employees, however, they are not sufficient to build an informal network. For achieving success in your business, experts suggest that informal networks are the key. Young and hardworking managers who are busy in their own work all the time generally find themselves left out during promotions. The reason is that achievements are not recognized because of lack of visibility in the company. It is definitely difficult to shout for yourself as a new employee. However, this informal network can help you get the much deserved recognition and promotions for all your hard work.

The question arises then how to build a network? The first step is to find a mentor. Next, you should make sure that your mentor is working with the company for quite some time now. Company’s have different organizational structures, therefore, you may choose to talk or not to talk to your upper management. It helps if you are able to find someone at that level. However, if there is proper hierarchical structure in place in your company, then your comfort level will be high with your peers. The tip here is if you choose your mentor carefully and who is at least a level above you, they will act as a bridge for you to the upper management.

At times it becomes difficult for some people to find a mentor and it takes a lot of time. It helps to attend company organized events like social events or philanthropic events etc and take small breaks in between your work schedule. Although it is not mandatory to be social animal if you want to succeed, but it always helps if you are able to initiate a conversation with people around you. Social networking always helps to make best business connections with people otherwise you do not generally meet.

After some networking in your organization, you would be able to understand your compatibility with the other people as well as identify the best person who can provide you the best personal coaching. It always helps to understand the kind of rapport people already share with each other in the company. And if you are able to identify a person who is a connector, like who is popular in the organization and constantly connect a lot of people with similar interests.,then you can be rest assured that you have found the best mentor for yourself who will help in your career progression.

After you’ve decided on a mentor, it’s your responsibility to touch base with them one or more times a month. Keep them apprised of the work you’ve been doing. Fill them in on big things that are happening in your personal life. Try to build a friendly relationship without being too pushy. The closer the relationship you develop with your mentor, and the better feel they have for what you’re wanting to accomplish, the easier it is for them to give you the personal coaching you need to succeed.

Most companies have comprehensive training for new employees, but this would not assist you in building an informal network. When it comes to promotion time’s young managers may find themselves shut out if they do not connect to others and simply do their assigned tasks. After getting to know the others in your company you should have a firm idea of the types of personalities with whom you will mesh well and those you won’t. The question arises then how to build a network? The first step is to find a mentor. You should also be able to figure out who will give you the best personal coaching.

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