Mentors

You'll need to know you can trust your mentor so that you can be open about the things that concern you. This is number one for a reason: consider it the foundation of a good mentoring relationship.

A mentor should be someone whose advice and talent you respect. Even if they aren't a direct role model, they should be someone who inspires you to be better and demonstrates the kind of skills and behaviours you look up to.

Commitment is essential to a good mentoring relationship, but that doesn't mean you're stuck with the first person you approach. Try meeting with a few people to find out if you get on well, especially if you don't know them that well yet. 

By understanding the kinds of skills and qualities that potential employers are looking for and you want to build, you can speak to your mentor about how they developed their skills in that area.

A mentor can help test your thinking and will help give you the confidence that you've thought everything through and made the right decision.

Making mistakes is an important part of the learning process, make sure you talk about them with your mentor. A mentor can help you think about how you can do things differently next time, reflect on what you've learnt but also reassure you it's not the end of the world.

Sticking to your commitments is important if you want people to know they can rely on you. Talking about organising your time with your mentor is a good way to keep on top of everything while making sure you don't lose focus on your goals.

Learning and reflecting on your experiences is key to developing and growing in life and in your career. Asking for feedback from your mentor can be a great source of advice and confidence.