Narayan Murthy has designated himself Chief Mentor at Infosys

Every professional network should include special relationships with mentors. These relationships are the vehicles through which senior executives pass on the benefit of their experience to first-rungers. It is the modern equivalent of the relationship between master and apprentice, although it lacks the formal set-up process of an apprenticeship.

Mentors can help first-rungers to learn how to meet workplace challenges. They can also help to provide new opportunities by recommending you, supporting your placement on new assignments or providing such opportunities directly. They can also provide psychological support.

Mentors help you to get ahead in your career. Many firms claim to have meritocratic review, evaluation and promotion processes. But all the executives interviewed agreed that having a senior executive “banging the table for you” carries a significant amount of weight. Mentors can also act as referees.

First, find your mentor. Doing this requires a combination of luck and skill. Look for someone who has influence; is hungry for success in his or her own career; and has your professional respect. You also need to make sure that the chemistry between you is right.

Expose yourself. All relationships require some sort of exposure between individuals at the outset. This cements the personal relationship and shows the mentor your abilities. Usually this happens through working together; however, this need not always be the case.

Cultivate your relationship. Pick the right time, then ask to work with them. When you’re there, make yourself invaluable by overdelivering.

Be loyal. Make your mentor your top priority. As a first-runger almost everyone is your boss. You have to fulfil your duties to your line manager, but if you have spare capacity, offer it to your mentor first.

Ask for advice and feedback. If you are lucky, your mentor will nurture you automatically, but don’t wait for this to happen — ask for advice and seek feedback.

Keep in contact. That way you can seek advice and coaching well after one or both of you have moved to different companies.

Not all mentors are senior executives. Many first-rungers get an enormous amount of support and assistance from a mentor only a year or two more experienced than them.