How to Become a Mentor for Young Work Colleagues

culled from:wikihow.com


Often rookies in the professional world are baffled as to tricks of the trade and hazards of the job. An experienced mentor can be very helpful to a new professional in the office. Wait until you are approached then prepare a mentorship program for that person.

Steps

1

Go to lunch with the new colleague after s/he has requested your assistance. However don't be alone with a colleague of the opposite sex. Always meet in public, including after work hours.

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   Always share information with this person in confidence.
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   Ensure mentorship is acceptable in your office. You don't want to be accused of sexual harassment, so make sure your supervisor is aware of what you are doing.
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   Prepare an informal plan with your new colleague. Decide to touch base once a week to see how your colleague is doing.
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   Meet either once a week or bi-weekly.
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   Schedule to communicate or you may become too busy to honour your commitment. Also constant interruptions by your protege will soon become a nuisance.
   • You can do most of your communications online so as not to interfere with your own work production.
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   If you choose to communicate online, be careful about your wording! Even innocent jokes can be misinterpreted.
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   If you don't feel comfortable communicating online, only meet in person or talk on the telephone.
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   Discuss only the issues in which you are experienced. Don't "wing" it with people.
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   Encourage your protege to write a list of questions s/he may need you to answer in between meetings.
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    If you are permitted, take your protege with you on business calls and explain to your client you are working with a new colleague.
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    Include your colleague in appropriate business meetings.
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    Provide advice about the ins and outs of how your office works. Explain the hierarchy for people to talk to in the event of office issues.
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    Discourage your protege from becoming involved in gossip.
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    Explain the nature of your office's politics to your protege. They exist and there is no way to avoid them, but knowing how to play the game fairly is what matters.
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    Be available after hours if you can, but limit your contact at that time. You need a break from work and you have a life!
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    If your mentorship is not working for either one of you, politely agree to disagree and perhaps suggest someone else in the office with whom your protege would be better suited.