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Job focus
Get into the Christmas spirit rather than allowing the Christmas spirits to get into you. If there are games, step into the spotlight and in front of key decision-makers to demonstrate team-playing abilities. – Workforce Guardian
12 ways to
What qualities should I be looking for in a professional mentor? Rookie ANNE-MARIE DOLAN HR manager, Australian Human Resources Institute
PUB: ADV EMPLOYMENT
IT is important to identify what it is you want to achieve from the mentoring relationship. It may be seeking help with your current role or advice on how to progress your career. If you have challenges in your role, look for a mentor who has been in your position, either in your organisation or in a similar role in another organisation. If you are looking for career advice, look for a mentor who is in a role to which you wish to progress. It is important that whoever you identify is someone you feel comfortable with and can open up to and who is prepared to help you with the areas you identify.
Mid-career KELLIE RIGG
10/11/12 E-2 STATE
General manager HR Solutions Randstad
COL: C M Y K
A MENTOR can have a significant impact on your professional and personal life so selecting the right person requires preparation. Taking the time to carefully evaluate who you choose will provide you with a strong foundation for a successful partnership. Before you assess the qualities to look for in a mentor, understand what you hope to achieve from the relationship. Evaluate short and long-term goals. Ascertain what knowledge and competencies you want to gain from the person you’re considering. A mentorship is a form of relationship so consider each candidate’s personal characteristics.
NETWORK at the staf party, client drinks, industry get-together or any other end of year wrap-up.
TWO DRINKS should be the total alcoholic limit at events so you don’t get carried away and do something regretful.
SEND CARDS to contacts or clients to thank or update them on your achievements in 2012.
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Experienced TIM ROCHE Practice leader, Right Management career transition
MENTORING is an activity that is driven by the mentee (as opposed to coaching, which is driven by the coach). Therefore, a mentor needs to be a good listener. Often mentoring is simply a facilitated discussion that incorporates a problem-solving framework, such as the mentor asking questions about situations or scenarios so the mentee can arrive at a logical conclusion. It’s important for the mentor to be experienced in a similar industry as this will help them formulate questions. Mentoring will offer diversity of thinking so take the opportunity when the chemistry and experience is right.
The Expert MICHELLE BENTLEY General manager, Donington transition and outplacement
A PROFESSIONAL mentor may be paid or unpaid, formal or informal. Whatever the arrangement, mentors are generally highly respected and experienced professionals, successful in their careers and with expertise in aiding the growth and development of others, by transferring knowledge and skill development. The key fundamentals for mentoring success are mutual rapport, trust and respect. Accepted traits include being confidential, tactful but honest, good listeners and communicators, problem solvers, encouragers, challengers, wise, ethical and empowering. Discuss these and other issues at www.facebook.com/careerone
SHAKE HANDS or email managers and colleagues, as gifts or a kiss on the cheek can make others uncomfortable.
USE YOUR TIME if it’s quiet in your workplace by getting ahead or even just clean out your workspace/ inbox.
HAVE LUNCH with anyone you want to meet or often deal with if you’re both left at work when others take leave.
CHEER: Santa Laurie Mallia and co-worker Jo Osborne with Jo’s children, Fletcher, 4, and Amber, 7, prepare for Australian Outdoor Living’s Christmas party. Picture: Roy Vandervegt
PARTY’S TIME FOR FUN AND GAINS THE annual Christmas party at Australian Outdoor Living is seen as a time for workers to socialise outside office hours while their children have some fun. And it’s a good opportunity to network with colleagues and supervisors in a relaxed environment, national finance manager Jo Osborne says. Osborne, who has been with the company for six
OPEN DOORS into a career in events, retail, hospitality or administration, which are busy and need casual staf.
years, says the family event is one of the highlights of the festive season for her children, Fletcher, 4, and Amber, 7. They love playing games with the more than 50 children who attend and look forward to a visit from Father Christmas. Osborne says she plans to use the event as a chance to speak with co-workers, such as general manager Laurie Mallia, in an informal setting. ‘‘It’s about getting
EARN MORE by moonlighting in busy industries through evening or weekend work.
everyone together, from the sales people right through,’’ she says. ‘‘Any event that you can go to is a good networking opportunity. ‘‘It means so much to the kids — and the parents love it because happy kids means happy parents.’’ A workplace party also can be a chance for staff to mingle with people who work in other departments, with whom they may not deal directly.
PUT UP YOUR HAND for more responsibility. When it’s busy or staf are on leave, more hands are required on deck.
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Saturday, November 10, 2012