MENTORING - THE PATHWAY TO GREATNESS

Mentoring programs are gaining momentum in our society.  Various mentoring programs are launching and flourishing in non-profit organizations such as Canadainfonet, but they are also experiencing enormous growth in schools, universities, government offices, private foundations and in private corporations.  The surge in popularity of mentoring programs is no surprise ?in fact, it long overdue.  As our society evolves, there is a growing consciousness surrounding the value of helping people reach their full potential.  We realize that the greatest gift we can give to others on their journey to personal greatness, is our time.  Through contributing your time and knowledge to your mentee, you will reap rewards that far surpass your expectations.  As Martin Luther King stated, verybody can be great, because everybody can serve.?nbsp; May you continue serving and may you continue encountering greatness. 

COMMUNICATIONS CORNER

The Art of Asking Excellent Questions

"Man intelligence is not measured by his answers as much as it is by his questions."
         -Anonymous

Your relationship with your mentee will be dependent upon asking solid, probing questions, particularly in the early stages when you are establishing a rapport with one another. Open-ended questions are usually more effective than the simple, closed-ended question that generates a simple es?or o?response.   The questions you ask are very important and can shed some light on vital information for both your mentee and yourself.  The following questions may be helpful to your mentoring relationship:

• What made you decide to enter a mentoring relationship?
• Why now at this stage in your career?
• What do you hope to gain from this relationship?
• 6 months from now, how will you know if this mentoring relationship was successful?
• What is your proudest moment or your biggest accomplishment?
• Who are your heroes/role models?
• What values do you wish to fulfill through your work?
• What is your preferred working environment?
• What is your attitude towards lifelong learning?
• What subjects/areas of your work do you feel most passionate about?
• What do you excel in?
• What areas do you wish you could improve?
• What goals do you wish to accomplish over the next 6 months?

CAREER NEWS & VIEWS

Dress the Part!

It used to be that people interviewing for positions in the IT industry had to focus more on what they knew rather than how they appeared.  However, things are changing.  In an American survey conducted by an independent research firm, 40 percent of Chief Information Officers polled said professional appearance is very important when evaluating job candidates.   Since technology professionals are often highly visible in a corporation, it is becoming more critical that they project a neat and professional image. 

Telecommuting more attractive than money

Instead of a raise, one third of Americans surveyed would prefer to work from home.  According to a report entitled "Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere," conducted by the Positively Broadband Campaign, many people would sacrifice money to reap the benefits of working from home.  Cutting back on time spent travelling to work as well as spending more time with family, were cited as the most important perks of working from home.  Eighty percent of telecommuters reported that they are more satisfied with their jobs, are more productive and feel more loyal to their employers.

Enlightened Workplaces

According to Report on Business Magazine "50 Best Companies" ranking, employees are looking for more than just a hefty salary and promotional opportunities.  Workers are loyal to companies that go the extra mile by providing personal services.  Eli Lilly offers employees take home meals for their families.  Flight Centre offers monthly parties with incentives and discounts on travelling.  Other notable offerings from today most popular companies include on-site shiatsu, massage, fitness centres and private medical clinics.

Women-owned businesses on the rise

Are you a woman considering opening your own business?  If so, youe in good company, as the number of female business owners continues to rise.  According to Phillyburbs.com, the number of women-owned businesses is rising to double the rate of all U.S. businesses.  Although the idea of creating your own business may be appealing, most business owners work longer hours and do not see significant profits for many years.  If youe considering self-employment, you must ensure you have a solid idea, conduct thorough market research, and create viable financing and start-up plans.  If youe serious about staring your own business, there are some excellent websites: EntreWorld http://www.EntreWorld.org , and Canada One http://www.canadaone.com.  

WINNING WEBSITES

You Can Work From Anywhere

Here's a site for anyone who has thought about working from home or telecommuting part time, or is just looking for information about mobile working. Explore links to information ranging from work-life balance to using a personal digital assistant.  Visit the Web site http://www.youcanworkfromanywhere.com/

Salary Connections

No matter what occupation you're researching, this JobStar site links to useful salary information. Visit the Web site http://jobstar.org/tools/salary/index.cfm

How to Write a Great Letter

This site by Careerlab covers plenty of ground for anyone hoping to write a resume cover letter. Material is drawn from the book 200 Letters for Job Hunters. Visit the Web site http://www.careerlab.com/letters/link002.htm

WISE WORDS

"A great mentor has a knack for making us think we are better than we think we are.  They force us to have a good opinion of ourselves, let us know they believe in us.  They make us get more out of ourselves, and once we learn how good we really are, we never settle for anything less than our very best."  The Prometheus Foundation