How to find a good mentor to help you succeed

 Who is a mentor?

The Muse  website defines a mentor as someone who can act as your cheerleader and guide, encourage you to apply for new opportunities, and help you to navigate challenging situations such as transitioning to a new role or taking on a stretch assignment. 

And it goes on to say that often your mentor will be someone working in the same industry as you and in a similar role or someone working in a role you want to transition to who can help you figure out how to advance your career. 

While it's possible to be mentored by a peer, most mentors will be at least a level or two ahead of you in their career track.





Why do you need to get a mentor?


Well, you need a mentor if you want to get ahead in your profession, make connections and learn insider information that can give you a head start on the competition, and that is where a mentor comes in. 


So how do you find a mentor? 


1. Evaluate your needs

You first need to discover your need to get the right mentor. A mentor cannot advise about a problem they haven't solved themselves. Seasoned mentors with expertise can protect you from making those grave mistakes in your career. So look for a mentor who has what you want in life. 



2. Talk to local business leaders you admire


Don't shy away from asking for advice. People are usually flattered by requests for advice. Since they were once in your shoes, they probably had to seek out a mentor at some point themselves. 


So don't stop searching online for potential mentors. Comment on startup forums and articles and crowdsource when you have questions. 


If you start speaking up and interacting with other entrepreneurs, you will make contacts and friends, which may eventually lead you to the perfect mentor.




3. Attend professional networking events


 When considering getting a mentor, don't just make a list and start calling people. Getting a mentor is about building relationships. 


Professional networking events are an excellent way to make connections that could lead to mentorships. 


Don't hesitate to ask for advice from speakers who seem inspiring and knowledgeable; you might find yourself a mentor. 




4. Be a good mentee

A good mentor/mentee relationship is a two-way street. Your mentor isn't going to step into your life with a magic spell and make your wishes come true. 

The more effort you put into your time together, the more you'll grow.




5. Create a clear plan for your professional growth.


Articulating that vision to a potential mentor is an important factor in assessing whether they want to invest in you. 


You need to be clear on your goals and ask for help on specific things. Don't treat your mentor as if they are a psychologist or someone who can predict your future with a crystal ball.


 If you aren't clear about what you want, it will be hard for anyone, even a great mentor, to help you. 

Sometimes you may not know what short-term steps to take, but that's ok. Having a sense of your long-term career goal is all that you need.




Conclusion

Search for role models you can look up to and people who are interested in your career.

But here's an important warning: You don't have to have mentors who look like you. 

Comments

  1. Forever CoolJuly 14, 2022 at 3:51 PM

    Amazing, I have been going through a tough time finding a mentor, and you highlighted some great point to consider. thanks for sharing uncle.

    ReplyDelete

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