Improve Your Job Search with a Personal Board of Mentors

Did you know you can have more than one mentor?

There are no hard rules saying you must stick with only one. And it makes sense to have multiple mentors advising you on the different areas of your life, especially when it comes to your career.

A business collaborates with a Board of Directors, right? So why not establish your own Personal Board of Mentors to partner with?

Benefits of a Personal Board of Mentors

Having a Personal Board of Mentors, or PBOM, can improve your job search and make your mentorship experience more successful. And I highly recommend it.

Here’s why — and how to create one.

It Increases Your Networks

Creating a Personal Board of Mentors exponentially expands your career networks.

It’s made up of a select few individuals you have chosen. You instantly increase your spheres of influence and gain access through each mentor to their connections. And the connections of their connections. Which boosts your chances of finding a new role through the hidden job market. That is… if you have chosen your PBOM properly.

Different People Means Diverse Perspectives

Having several mentors who are at different stages of their career offers diverse viewpoints.

Each person presents a unique opinion and perspective through their individual skills and professional experiences. What may have worked for one during their job search, may not have worked for another. Or maybe a career decision was made that led to undesirable consequences. And you can learn from that.

It Offers More Reliability

You have more than one mentor that you can rely and depend on.

Do you need guidance on a job offer? Or looking to change career paths and want separate advice from people in the industry? A PBOM gives you several individuals to choose from who can provide a reply.

You Collaborate On Various Levels

Each mentor has their own style, so you learn to collaborate with many types of personalities.

One holds you accountable for certain actions, another may not. One mentor may want to meet weekly, another prefers monthly. You will learn to understand — and plan — how you’ll work with each of them on various levels.

This will have a great impact on your career. It’s inevitable that you’ll interact with different types of people at different points of your job search. And also as you conduct business. Joining forces with a PBOM will prepare you for it.

How Do You Create a Personal Board of Mentors?

Now that you understand the advantages of having a PBOM, how do you develop one?

To begin, it should consist of individuals who support your success.

Select the people you believe you can collaborate effectively with. And those you believe can support a mutually beneficial relationship.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when creating your Personal Board of Mentors:

Keep It 3-5 People

This makes your relationship with each of your mentors manageable and practical. Having more than this can create challenges instead of promoting value and encouraging productivity.

Make It Diverse

When forming your PBOM remember that diversity is key. You want to access ideas and advice from a variety of people. Your mentors should be at different stages within their professional careers to offer distinctive perspectives.

Establish Roles

Each mentor should have their own role and responsibilities. Of course, they can overlap, and they will! But make sure everyone knows where they stand and what’s required of them.

Take Advantage of Your Networks

Use this opportunity to build better connections with those in your spheres of influence. Having a robust network to choose quality mentors from is a game-changer, and automatically changes your destiny.

Rebuild Relationships

Creating a PBOM is a great way to reconnect with those you haven’t had contact with in a while. Use it to your benefit! And reestablish connections with people you admire and want to form a mentorship with.

Be Informative

Make sure your mentors understand you’re also receiving guidance from others. This gives everyone the opportunity to focus on their own area of expertise. And it helps you concentrate on specific items with certain people to reach your goals.

While a Board of Directors will have formal meetings and gatherings, your Personal Board of Mentors does not need to meet. Or may not even know one another for that matter. However, they should know ABOUT each other, for you to gain the most value from it.

“The chief distinction between finding ‘a mentor’ and creating ‘a mentor board of directors’ is that there is less pressure to find one person who represents your ideal future self.

You can diversify your search criteria and learn from a variety of people.”

From Your Career Needs Many Mentors, Not Just One by Dorie Clark

There are many benefits to partnering with a mentor. And keep in mind you’re not limited to only one.

Having a Personal Board of Mentors can improve your job search and bring your career to new levels.

It’s to your advantage to create a PBOM! When you form a partnership with multiple people you gain access to multiple benefits. And this adds value to all facets of your job search and career — and your life.

Learn More About Creating a Personal Board of Mentors

Are you interested in forming your own Personal Board of Mentors?

If you’re changing careers or pursuing a new job role or starting a small business and seek guidance from leaders in your industry, then you should!

Collaborating with multiple mentors expands your opportunities. Do you want to learn how to develop relationships the right way so you can create a productive PBOM? Then you should enroll in our certification program and become a NetWorkWise Certified Professional (NWW-CP).

This course teaches you ways to create connections with people who will guide you in reaching your goals. And once complete, you receive credentials validating you as a networking expert. Sign up today!

This article is part of the NetWorkWise Find a Mentor Through Your Networks series