Mentor On Demand: Find the Right Mentor at the

Right Time

Career Advice Provided By:

The 5 Step Process

1. Know Thyself!

2. Define Your Career Goals

3. Determine the Specific Areas in Which You Need Mentoring

4. The Benefits of On Demand Mentoring

5. Be an Active and Enthusiastic Mentee

Mentor On DemandHistorically, a professional would have one or two mentors during his or her entire career but with the increased demands of today’s business environment, the traditional mentor model is inadequate.

We propose using mentors in a new way that is more realistic and effective considering today’s challenges. We call it “Mentor On-Demand” and it meets two critical needs:

1. In a technical field like tax, you as a professional must have access to “specialist” mentors at the immediate times when you need development in specific areas.

2. This concept means you will have mentors for shorter lengths of time as well as possibly having multiple mentors at any one point in time.

“I’ve been lucky enough to benefit from several mentors during my own career and I’m now mentoring others. The relationship is always one of mutual trust – you can say things that you might not want to say in a staff/manager setting.

You need to be clear on your development goals. I’ve found that when these goals have been achieved the frequency of meetings declines as the mentee becomes self-sufficient.”

-Jim Robertson, VP Tax Americas at Shell

The Benefits of Mentoring

• Before seeking out a mentor you must take time to look at your strengths and weaknesses. Remember, a mentor can only guide you if you know and can articulate your strengths, weakness and current abilities.

• It is only when we are open and accepting of the feedback from others that we will grow and develop into the professionals we want to be.

• Be aware that asking others for their feedback requires that we put our egos aside which can be challenging but necessary if we are going to achieve our goals.

Know Thyself!

• After you assess your strengths and weaknesses, it is important that you define both your short and long-term career goals.

• Take a look at the career scenarios you’ve envisioned for yourself but have been held back by lack of experience, knowledge or fear.

• Also, consider your entire life – personal & professional. With each career goal you set, ask, “Is this going to be a good fit with my personal/family current situation and goals?”

• Work with you mentor to define realistic action steps to accomplish each goal including a specific deadline for completion. Your mentor should hold you accountable for each action step/deadline. If he or she doesn’t, request accountability as part of the mentoring process.

Define Your Career Goals

• In order to meet your short and long-term goals, you will need to define where you need mentoring such as a specific technical area or your soft skills(i.e. ability to communicate as a tax professional to non-tax business people).

• This step will lead you to the mentor who has the knowledge, strengths and experience you need at this time of your career.

• Don’t settle for a mentor who does not have the right background you need at a particular time. It will end up being a frustrating experience for both parties involved.

Determine the Specific Areas in Which You Need Mentoring

• If you need to enhance your technical knowledge at a certain time, you should search for a mentor who has the knowledge you are seeking in one or more of these areas:

1. Specialties• US Federal, State and Local, International Inbound or Outbound,

and Foreign-Local

2. Industries• Oil and Gas, High-Tech, Pharmaceuticals, Insurance, etc.

3. Functional Areas• Compliance, Research & Planning, Audit, Tax Accounting &

Reporting, etc.

Mentors with Specific Areas of Technical Expertise

• Your ability to communicate and simplify complex technical tax matters to non-tax business personnel will be essential throughout your career. In fact, it is a key factor in defining an A+ tax professional and highly sought after skill by employers.

• Improving your written and verbal skills will also give you a leg up when making presentations to groups regarding tax related issues. These are skills that will not necessarily be addressed in a classroom setting so a mentor can be an excellent resource for this type of important development.

Mentors Who Can Help You Develop Soft Skills

• Build your confidence knowing you can take control of your professional development.

• Receive the knowledge transfer you need at a critical time.

• Improve your chances of reaching your desired short and long-term career goals.

• Become a strong asset to your organization and an example to others.

What Can On Demand Mentoring Do For Your Future Career in Tax?

What Does it Take to be an Active and Enthusiastic Mentee?

• Thoroughly communicate with your mentor(s) by asking probing questions, actively listening, and giving honest and useful feedback. If your mentor indicates you need help (beyond what he or she can offer) to improve, for example, your communication skills, make it a priority to find communication training.

• Do your homework. Don’t look for a mentor until you’ve completed all points in the “Know Thyself” section. An astute mentor won’t proceed with mentoring unless you’ve done your self-assessment first. Also, respect your Mentor’s time by doing your homework on a topic before asking for help. You want to engage in a discussion, not just ask for answers.

• Make confidentiality the foundation of your relationship. The more you trust each other, the more benefits your relationship will produce.

Final Thoughts

• Although there are many factors to consider when choosing a mentor, by following the above steps, you will have the opportunity to find a mentor who can help you grow and succeed in your tax career.

• If you’ve never had a mentor, or at least don’t have one now, it’s time to maximize your future tax career potential.

Click Here to Become Part of TaxTalent’s Mentor Program