17 Easy Ways to Maintain Relationships with Your Professors and Mentors

Job Search, Resume and LinkedIn

Maintaining RelationshipIf you’re a college graduate looking for a job, it’s important that you maintain relationships with your professors and mentors.

Like many things in life, this can be easier said than done, but the suggestions below should help you:

  • Choose the right person. Select someone you respect and who respects you. Make sure your personalities and working styles mesh well together.
  • Articulate your goals. Knowing what your objective is will help you determine if you were successful.
  • Make sure you’re on the same page about your expectations.
  • Write a LinkedIn recommendation for them. This is quick, easy, and they will certainly appreciate the gesture.
  • Determine the best way to communicate with them. While texting, Google Hangouts and Facebook may be your preferred methods of communication, those may not work for your professor or mentor. They may want to talk by phone at a specific time or meet in person  If you’re not sure what the best way to communicate with them is, simply ask them the next time you connect.
  • Remember it isn’t only about them helping you. You can and should also help them. Perhaps you know of someone who can help them with their research, who may be interested in publishing their book or who could be a potential partner for their latest project. Make a connection and then follow up to see how things are progressing.
  • Thank them for their help. This should mean more than simply saying thank you, although that’s a good start. A small token of your appreciation will show them how much their time, help and guidance mean to you. If they like coffee, a gift card to Starbucks should work. The more personal, the better, but you can’t go wrong with an iTunes or Amazon gift card.
  • Don’t just connect when you need something. (Click here to tweet this thought.) Update them periodically. Tell them how their advice and guidance has helped you. Ask them about their work and family. If you’re genuinely interested in their wellbeing, they should know that from your actions — and they’ll be more likely to maintain a long-term relationship that can benefit both of you.
  • You may have a group of friends and family that you update periodically about your job search, current job, personal life or current projects. Add them to the distribution list for these updates.
  • Adjust when necessary. You and your professors/mentors may change jobs, may be in different time zones, and your personal lives will undoubtedly change over the years. All of these things require you to reflect and to make changes to maintain the relationship.
  • Celebrate your growth. If you get a raise or promotion, let them know and explain to them how they were instrumental. Acknowledge their role in your development and success.
  • Set boundaries. Is the relationship professional or personal? You need to decide and make sure it works both ways.
  • Clarify when necessary. If they say something and you don’t really understand what they mean, ask them. Don’t be embarrassed. It’s much better to ask them now than to not ask and, when they check in later to see if you followed their suggestions, inform them you didn’t because you didn’t really understand what they meant.
  • Ask them for their advice — and be open to it. I don’t mean when you’re looking for them to validate what you already think or want to hear, but when you really want and need their help and guidance. If you’re not comfortable with what they suggest, let them know.
  • Disagree agreeably. You’re in this for the long haul. It’s inevitable that you’ll disagree at some point. When you do, be respectful and really listen to their point of view. Explain to them calmly and rationally why you disagree, and tell them you appreciate the ability to be honest with one another.
  • Stand up for them. If they ever need your help, make yourself available and do what you can to help them. After all, they’ve always helped you in your times of need.
  • Switch when necessary. As you grow professionally, your needs will change. If your mentor doesn’t still meet your needs, let them know and seek out someone who does.

Your professors and mentors are busy people. Respect their time, efforts and talent and select an idea or two from this list that works best for you and them.

Which of these easy action steps can you put into place today?

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