Not every new hire who comes onto a sales team knows exactly what they want to achieve in their tenure or how their contributions might tie into the company’s overall mission. Opportunities for advancement can seem murky and areas for growth often remain unexplored.
As we’ve seen during the Great Resignation, employees are leaving their current positions in droves, with many seeking companies that offer more flexibility alongside better pay and benefits. However, there’s another element that could help employees feel happy and fulfilled in their work.
Companies that establish mentoring programs are able to not only expand employees’ skill sets and pave paths for career progressions but also encourage long-term relationships focused on support and professional development. In 2019, a survey on workplace happiness conducted by SurveyMonkey for CNBC found that 91 percent of employees who worked with a mentor were satisfied with their job — and more than half of those employees said they were “very satisfied.”
TL;DR: Mentoring programs can increase retention.
With job candidates and employees in the driver’s seat, offering mentorship opportunities can help them steer toward career fulfillment and advancement. That was certainly the case for Dawn Molignano Waters, senior sales enablement specialist at ezCater, which connects caterers with business through an online marketplace. Her mentor helped her understand her strengths and how transitioning into a sales career would align with her passion for building connections. She also found that being able to ask her advisor questions helped her build the confidence needed to excel.
Built In Colorado recently sat down with Molignano Waters to learn how her mentor-mentee relationship encouraged professional development and how ezCater designed its mentorship program to help employees reach their potential and achieve their goals.
How did you identify and approach your mentor?
When I entered the workforce I was lucky to work for a company that believed in developing their employees and supporting them in their career journey. My boss asked if there were particular skills that I was looking to develop, and I was partnered with an experienced mentor with whom I worked for years.
Similarly, our mentorship program at ezCater is built on a framework that guides the mentor and mentee toward a consistent goal so they can foster a long-lasting relationship. We facilitate conversations about each participant’s goal and how to best match learning and teaching styles so everyone gets the most out of the mentorship experience.
What did you and your mentor talk about?
The first year I was working with my mentor, we followed a more regimented process. We met regularly for a set period of time and focused on specific skill sets. As we built our relationship, our meetings became more conversational and we talked more about career and educational goals. I felt comfortable asking questions when I was stuck on something. After a while, I realized that I usually had the answer, but being able to ask someone I trusted helped me to build confidence.
To ensure both the mentor and mentee are clear on the objectives of the mentorship and are able to use their time together effectively, we start by setting a SMART goal. This is a goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
Advice for professionals looking to work with a mentor:
- Identify the types of skills you’re looking to learn and develop.
- Come up with a list of personal and professional goals.
- Communicate with your manager so that they can help you find a mentor with the right experience and knowledge.
How did having a mentor change your career trajectory?
I was initially opposed to moving into a sales role. My mentor helped me understand that consultative selling provides value to the client. The more I was able to help clients find the best solution for them, the more I enjoyed working in sales. My mentor helped me realize that the passion I had for building connections and forging relationships would be a large part of my role as a salesperson. With that realization, I refocused my career path and made the jump to a sales role.
