Selecting a mentor and gaining their agreement can be an intimidating process. Therefore identifying and approaching a mentor should not be taken lightly. Without this critical step, your climb to the top may be slowed or stopped altogether.

As you consider a mentor you should put some thought into what you want from the relationship and what you expect to gain. Mentors are people that can be consulted for advice and guidance well into your future. So with the right strategy, a mentor can help set the course for the accomplishment of your goals.

Here are five steps to consider when selecting a mentor:

* Understand the next steps in your career
* Reflect on why the mentor is important
* Create a list of attributes that are most important for the mentor to possess
* Make a list of teachers, bosses, or coaches that have the potential to influence others
* Take the list and reduce the names to the two or three individuals that make the best possible match

After selecting a person from the list of two or three names who would be an ideal mentor, be prepared to make a different selection should your primary choice be unavailable or unwilling to be a mentor. This new relationship will take time on the part of both parties, so planning must be the primary concern in the first meeting beyond the mentoring agreement.

Here are six steps to consider when approaching a mentor:

* Ask for time in their schedule, and let them know the purpose of the request
* Have an organized plan on the approach
* Do not force an immediate response from the potential mentor
* Be prepared to answer questions a potential mentor will have
* Be gracious regardless of the answer
* Have a plan for the next meeting should both of you agree to the relationship

Mentors can offer valuable career advice and provide a sounding board for your ideas. This relationship can be an important part of moving you ahead without some of the painful effects of direct experience. Give mentoring a try and start your journey of achieving the success you desire.

Sharla Bell, owner of Triniti Business Concepts, a Virtual Assistance company specializing in desktop publishing, meeting planning and writing. Visit us at www.trinitibc.com or email me at sharla@trinitibc.com