Questions for your Mentor

Now that you've snagged a coffee with a mentor, a little preparation will go a long way. Plus frankly, a prepared list of issues and questions is well, rather impressive!

Here's my personal inventory. I've collected these through the years. Hand pick the ones that work for you.

Warm-up and Rapport Question
How did you get your start? 
Did you have a mentor?
What character strengths account for your success?
What's a tough issue you've had to overcome and how did you do it?
With the the benefit of hind-sight, what would you do differently?


Questions to Help Prepare for a Career in this Field
How can I best prepare to working in your industry?
What skills, talents, and personal qualities are most essential?
What kinds of internships would you recommend?
How rapidly is the industry growing? What do you foresee?
What entry-level opportunities offer the best potential for growth?
How do people find out about jobs in this field?
How are they advertised, or is word of mouth more important?
Which professional organizations would help me learn more?
How well suited is my background for this type of work?
What other fields do you suggest I research?

Questions about a Particular Organization/Company

Why did you decide to work here and what do you like most?
What personal and professional traits have served you well here?
How does your Company distinguish itself from the competition?
Tell me the type of employee that is a good fit here?
What do your hiring mangers look for in candidates?  

Referral to Others

Based on our conversation today, what other people do you believe I should talk to?
Can you give me names of a few who might be willing to see me?
 May I use your name when I contact them?

Two of my favorite mentors: 

My dad, Manny Garcia and Penn, guest professor, George Vailliant, MD 

Growing up, Dad bombarded me with lectures, pontifications, and endless aphorisms such as: 
"This too will pass" 
"Never, never, never give up" 
"When you walk through a storm keep your head up high" 
"Do it like you mean it" 
"Get over it" 
"You are going to have to grow up quickly"

George was my favorite profession at the University of Pennsylvania. He inspired me to think broadly and to both nurture and tame my gift of empathy for others. He is who I want to be when I grow up! 

Those are mine...Who are yours? Send photos!

Reaching out to Mentors

Reaching out to successful people you admire and respect is a wise career strategy. Take an inventory of the professionals you admire. Be brave and reach out to them. Established professionals are busy but the best of them make time time mentor promising professionals.

I am always flattered when young professionals and even my peers reach out to me for an informal career check-up. I  enjoy being treated to coffee, breakfast or lunch.  The invitation gives me the opportunity to pay a favor to someone who might refer my services to a friend in the future. It's a win-win deal. Plus, it gives me the opportunity to be kind and generous and and pay-it-foward and that's always a priceless benefit.

Here's an example of how to craft such a request:

Hello. I'm Caroline Kirkland. Lisa Jacobson suggested I get in touch with you to request an informal meeting - an "informational interview" is specifically what I have in mind. I've been working in the finance industry for several years and would like to explore the possibility of applying my skills in the non-profit sector. I'm especially interested in causes that support babies and children.

I'm sure you're very busy, but I was wondering if your would be inclined and have time for a quiet lunch or 30 minute conversation over coffee, or at your office; my schedule is flexible.  I'd love the opportunity to ask you some questions about how you got started and how your career evolved.

Your input would be greatly appreciated and I will gladly pay the favor forward.

Best,

Best Applicants Don't Always Get Offers

Why the Best Qualified Applicants Don't Always Get Job Offers

Ever have a hunch that you were the probably the most qualified candidate for a position opening, yet you didn't get the job offer or promotion? 

It's not always the person with the best credentials who gets the job offer. Many factors weigh in the decision making process: credentials, experience, ability to hit-the-ground-running, technical skills, personality, politics and more… It's possible that the candidate with the job offer in hand was simply better at describing how their skills, knowledge and traits will add value to the organization. She might have demonstrated more clearly how her personality traits "fit like a glove", are ideal for the job and add value to the team and organization.

From Sanskrit to Twitter comes the well worn mantra: "know thyself". What are you waiting for?  Be the subject matter of yourself. Master your brand. Differentiate yourself. Discover your strengths. Can you describe yourself in a way that is meaningful to employers? If not, perhaps it's time to take an inventory. The Internet is full of self-assessments. In my opinion, the best assessments are: 

Myers-Brigs Personality Type

VIA Character Strengths and Virtues Authentichappiness.org

Strengthsfinder2.0

Any or all of these assessments will help you take inventory of your strengths and develop an extensive vocabulary for defining and differentiating yourself from others.