A Professionals Guide to Finding a Mentor

Whether you're a college student just entering the career world or a professional with years of advanced experience, it's never too late to get a mentor. Mentorship can help guide your career path, encouraging your odds of finding not only long-term success but also greater satisfaction in your work. However, finding the right mentor can be easier said than done. Don't sweat it. This guide provides actionable tips for finding a mentor and working with them in a way that will make a meaningful difference.

Recognize the benefits of mentorship

If you're thinking of getting a mentor, you may be wondering exactly how they will benefit you. After all, building a mentor-mentee relationship takes time and effort, so you want to be sure that it's worth it. The UNC Center for Faculty Excellence highlights some of the ways mentorship can benefit you, from providing a forum for growth and improvement to helping you hone your leadership skills and build your professional network. A mentor can also provide valuable feedback and guidance.

Identify what you value in a mentor

Finding the "perfect" mentor isn't always easy. The first step is to identify what you need and want in a mentor. You want to choose someone who works in a relevant field, for example. Selecting a person who has your "dream job" or is more senior in your field is a good start. However, you want to look beyond career specifics as well. Consider what traits you would value in a mentor, such as honesty or communicativeness. Having a mentor whose values and morals align with yours can also be a big plus.

Tap into your network to find a mentor

Now that you know what you're looking for in a mentor, it's time to start the search. Your network is generally a good starting point. Consider professionals you've met through internships, work, client relationships, and other working arrangements. You can also identify new potential mentors by participating in networking events and attending job fairs and industry events. Arrive prepared with an elevator pitch in hand that convinces people why they should mentor you. Also, make sure to have business cards ready to share.

Try online and offline channels to find a mentor

When searching for a mentor, don't just look at offline channels like networking events. There are also opportunities to find mentorship online. Professional platforms like LinkedIn are a great starting point. You can follow people to get a sense of their ideals and message them to inquire about potential mentorship opportunities. Online forums and communities within your specific industry are another great target area. Even social media platforms like Twitter can be a fruitful place to find a mentor.

Set goals with your mentor's support

Once you've found your mentor and established a relationship with them, it's time to get to work. To make the most of your mentorship relationship, consider setting concrete goals. MicroMentor offers a guide to mentor goal setting. They recommend working in conjunction with your mentor to articulate your goals, ensuring those goals are realistic and measurable, and establishing benchmarks for assessing progress. You should also set a realistic timeline for your goals and come up with a roadmap to achieving them.

Create concrete action points for your mentor to help you succeed

As you set goals and map out how to achieve them, make sure to specify concrete action points. For example, say you want to transition to a new job. One action point towards this end could be revamping your resume. Ask your mentor to review your resume, so you can ensure that you have any necessary information for your target industry. You can create a professional-looking resume using a free resume builder, tailoring your chosen template to your needs by adjusting the copy, colors, images, and more.

Set a schedule with your mentor

You want to make sure that you stay on track to meeting your goals. Your mentor can help in this regard by holding you accountable. However, you should check in regularly to assess progress and discuss any roadblocks with your mentor directly. You can use online appointment scheduling tools like Calendly, Doodle, or Acuity Scheduling to easily keep track of calls or meetings with your mentor. For maximum impact, follow up each meeting with a quick email recap, outlining your action points in writing.

Know when it's time to say goodbye to a mentor

People change over time, personally and professionally. Your mentor-mentee relationship isn't necessarily meant to last a lifetime, and that's perfectly fine. It's important that you're able to recognize when it's time to say goodbye to a mentor. Signs it may be time to move on include if your conversations feel predictable and unproductive, if your development needs have changed, or if you feel you've already met your development goals. Some people also set a timeframe for mentorship up front, such as six months or one year.

Show your gratitude to your mentors, past, and present

When someone agrees to act as a mentor for you, they are giving you their time, effort, and expertise. Make sure to show your gratitude for this. There are many ways you can say thank you to your mentors, from writing a gracious letter to sending heartfelt gifts, like flowers. If you're having trouble expressing your gratitude, this roundup of helpful phrases can be handy. Simply saying something like "Thank you for your support, advice, and encouragement" is a great start.

Pay it forward by becoming a mentor yourself

Mentor-mentee relationships tend to be cyclical. While you may benefit from another person's expertise, you may also have knowledge and experience that someone else can benefit from. Consider paying it forward and becoming a mentor yourself. If you want to become a mentor, you should have a genuine desire to help another person reach their potential, possess good communication and leadership skills, and be willing to teach. Patience is also a valuable asset.

Having a mentor can be a wonderful way to further your career while bolstering your professional network. If you're new to mentorship, the thought of taking this step can be intimidating. Don't let it scare you. This guide breaks down mentorship into an easy process.

For more content about professional success like this, visit the Stokhaus Media blog.