- Key Takeaways
- Support Their Education
- Mentor Them on Specific Tasks
- Celebrate Accomplishments of All Sizes
- Let Them Be Independent
- Help Them Build a Professional Network
- Encourage Skill-Building Through Practical Tools
- Support Mental Wellness During Transitions
- Promote Smart Digital Habits and Online Presence
- Respect Their Evolving Interests
- Next Steps
- Final Words
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Last Updated on August 4, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Support their education: Help remove financial and logistical barriers by offering guidance, encouragement, or co-signing student loans when appropriate.
- Provide task-specific mentorship: Offer practical help like resume building, interview prep, or career planning—even if you’re not their primary mentor.
- Celebrate small wins: Recognize milestones such as job applications, interviews, and even setbacks to keep them motivated and focused.
- Encourage self-reliance: Give space for independent decision-making while remaining a trusted source of feedback, support, and perspective.
- Promote continuous learning: Suggest resources, online tools, or real-world experiences that can build essential
skills and professional confidence.
When you have someone in your life who is special to you, and they have big dreams, their dreams for themselves can quickly become something that you want to be a part of. The most common scenario here is between parents and their children, but that is not the only type of relationship where this exists. Often, aunts and uncles, teachers, and professional mentors are all great examples of those who want to help someone they love work toward the career of their dreams. If you aspire to this, consider the following suggestions for how to achieve it.
Want to support someone chasing their dream career? From mentoring on resumes to celebrating every milestone, your role can make all the difference. Discover practical ways to help without overstepping. Read more now. #careerdevelopmentClick To TweetSupport Their Education
Going to
Especially if a student plans to attend
When you add yourself as a cosigner, you are essentially loaning the borrower your financial standing as evidence that they can be trusted to pay back the money. Of course, there are risks involved, and you should thoroughly discuss the process and expectations with the hopeful student in advance of signing, but being a cosigner is truly a wonderful and generous way to support someone’s career aspirations.
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Mentor Them on Specific Tasks
Mentorship in general is a broad term. Being someone’s mentor means being a support and guide as they navigate a specific scenario, in this case, pursuing their dream job. However, just because you care about someone’s dreams, you might not be qualified to be their primary mentor. In which case, you can instead mentor them on specific tasks.
Post-graduation, the time will come to create their first resume. This is exciting, but it can quickly turn frustrating when they realize they’re doing something new and might not have enough material to create a suitable resume. This is where your mentorship comes in. You can help them as an objective outsider by highlighting their
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Celebrate Accomplishments of All Sizes
Instead of reserving the proverbial bottle of champagne for the day they finally land their dream job, celebrate all the steps along the way. There are many things to give positive attention and praise for that come much before that big day. This will be a source of central encouragement and serve as motivation for them to keep pressing on even when bumps in the road momentarily set them back. A few great examples are:
- Landing their first interview
- Hitting a goal of applying to X number of jobs within a time frame
- Their first professional letdown or disappointment
- The first job they turned down
It might seem odd to include things like celebrating failures or rejected jobs, but it is essential to understand that these are all individual bricks on the path toward the
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Let Them Be Independent
If you are older than this person, it is only natural to take the position of older and wiser. While it is true that you have more years under your belt and potentially more experience as well, be careful not to project too much onto them. Letting loved ones grow as individuals is an incredible show of not only support but trust as well. The point is to teach the importance of self-belief and provide a safe space for this person to be themselves, rather than someone they avoid out of fear of letting them down.
Instead of engaging in conversations with the narrative of ‘I think you should do this’ and ‘why aren’t you doing that instead,’ use phrasing like ‘how did you arrive at that decision’ and ‘walk me through your thought process.’ These gentler lines of questioning will be met with willingness as opposed to resistance. Not to mention, there are potentially many things that you can learn from them as well. Being humble enough to understand that the career landscape has changed since you were last at this stage is an excellent show of empathy and emotional intelligence on your part.
Help Them Build a Professional Network
Relationships often open more doors than resumes. Introducing someone to your professional network can significantly accelerate their
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Encourage Skill-Building Through Practical Tools
Beyond formal education, practical
- Online learning platforms: Recommend tools like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning to acquire industry-relevant certifications.
- Volunteer experience: Suggest projects that allow them to practice professional
skills in a low-pressure environment. - Project-based learning: Encourage them to complete personal projects that can be showcased in a digital portfolio.
- Skills assessment tools: Utilize free tools to identify strengths and gaps, focusing development efforts accordingly.
Support Mental Wellness During Transitions
Career development is often emotionally demanding, especially during periods of uncertainty or rejection. Offering emotional support and encouragement is just as valuable as practical advice. Let them know that their feelings are valid, and remind them that growth often happens outside of comfort zones. Encourage practices that reduce stress, such as mindfulness, journaling, or regular exercise. Creating a safe space for open communication can strengthen trust and build resilience.
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Promote Smart Digital Habits and Online Presence
Maintaining a strong and professional digital presence is essential in nearly every field today.
- Audit social platforms: Review and remove any content that may appear unprofessional or outdated.
- Enhance LinkedIn: Optimize their headline, summary, and
skills with relevant keywords. - Build a personal website Using tools like Wix to showcase your portfolios, resumes, or testimonials.
- Google themselves: Encourage them to see what others see and manage visibility accordingly.
Respect Their Evolving Interests
Dreams can change as people grow—and that’s okay. Support should be rooted in their goals, not your expectations. Someone you’re mentoring might discover new interests or decide to pivot away from their original plan. When that happens, it’s important to listen without judgment and offer perspective instead of pressure. Respecting their evolving ambitions helps build trust and reinforces your role as a reliable guide rather than a controlling influence.
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Next Steps
- Offer to Review Their Resume: Help refine their resume by identifying key strengths, correcting formatting, and aligning it with current
hiring trends. - Introduce Them to
Your Network : Facilitate professional connections by setting up coffee chats oremail introductions with contacts in relevant industries. - Recommend Learning Platforms: Suggest online tools like Coursera or Khan Academy to build specific
skills aligned with their career goals. - Encourage Reflective Conversations: Use open-ended questions to help them explore motivations, clarify goals, and develop stronger decision-making habits.
- Track Milestones Together: Celebrate progress by setting short-term goals and checking in regularly to provide encouragement and support.
Final Words
Guiding someone through their career journey is not about providing all the answers—it’s about empowering them to find their own. With thoughtful support, honest communication, and encouragement, you can help them navigate challenges and build the confidence they need to succeed. Whether you’re a parent, mentor, or friend, your belief in their potential can become a foundation for growth that lasts far beyond their next milestone.
Whether you're applying to your very first job, are an established professional changing careers, or are a mature job candidate applying for the first time in years, this book will teach you how to communicate your achievements so you can get hired.
Mark Fiebert is a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
