"You're looking for similar interests or goals, but you're also looking at personality or temperament," she says. You're looking for similar interests or goals, but you're also looking at personality or temperament. Don't limit yourself to just one mentor, either, Bryant says, especially if you're looking for guidance in your personal life. "I don't think I've ever asked someone to be my mentor," Williams says. One compliment or coffee chat probably won't result in a job offer being thrown your way, but it can spark a long term relationship, Williams says.

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Persons: Keita Williams, Bryant, Acharya, she's, Williams, It's Organizations: CNBC, American Psychological Association, Pepperdine University, Harvard Medical Center, Columbia University Locations: Cincinnati , Ohio, New York City