If you want to succeed in business and reach your career goals, finding a mentor can help you get there. But just because someone calls herself a mentor doesn’t mean she will be the right mentor for you and vice versa. To find the best mentor match, ask yourself some questions about your career path and personality before starting your search. Once you know what type of mentor will help you achieve your goals most effectively, it’s easier to find one with whom you mesh well on both a personal and professional level.
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Defining what you want
You might not know what you want, but you can probably define what you don’t want. For example, if you don’t want someone who is going to be constantly telling you what to do, then seek out someone who will encourage your independence. If you need help in networking, look for somebody that has connections with people of power and influence.
If you need guidance on how to promote yourself online, find somebody who already has a large following on social media platforms. An ideal mentor should have skills that complement yours and be willing to offer their insight. It’s also beneficial if they have been where you are now-just starting so they can tell you what to expect from the future.
It’s important to stay realistic about the kind of relationship you want with them as well; whether it’s meeting up for coffee once or twice a week or exchanging advice through email, there are different expectations for each type of mentor relationship. The most important thing when choosing a mentor is making sure that the relationship feels mutually beneficial; nobody wants to invest time in something that doesn’t make them feel good about themselves.
Finding the right mentor
Where do they see themselves in five years? -What are their goals? -Where do they want to see their company in five years? Do they have any advice for me on my career path? What projects have they been working on lately? -How do they handle conflict within their company and amongst employees, if applicable? -What is their management style?
Is there anything I should know about them before taking them on as a mentor that could be beneficial to know going into the relationship? How often will we meet?
Are they willing to work with you remotely or just in person? It’s important to have mentors that fit your schedule. If it’s not a feasible option, find one who is available when you’re available. You can always trade mentoring sessions. -Who else do they recommend I talk to? They may introduce you to other mentors who can provide helpful information and insight.
Can they help me get connected to people at their company (especially those higher up)? It doesn’t hurt. A good mentor knows how to reciprocate and pass along information when she has access. In turn, she’ll receive more help in the future too.
Figuring out how they can help you
1. Know what you’re looking for.
2. Be persistent and don’t give up.
3. Be prepared with questions that show you’ve done your research (i.e., What are the steps I need to take to get started?).
4. Make your approach personable and respectful: Let them know that you admire their work and would like them as a mentor, not just an advisor on your project/idea/business idea/etc.
5. Look for someone who is qualified in at least one of the following areas: Industry Expert, Business Success, Entrepreneurial Expert, or Thought Leader in the Field.
6. Ask them how they’d like to help you and be willing to take advice from more than one mentor if necessary.
7. Check out LinkedIn’s Mentors list. They have been collecting public mentors since 2011 by reaching out to professionals through social media channels and asking them to volunteer themselves as mentors for other professionals in their fields; no formal application process is needed.
8. To keep track of all your potential mentors, use Google Docs or Excel so you can organize information about each person, such as what advice they have given you when you last spoke to them about it when your next call is scheduled with them.
Setting up a strategy
- Identify the type of mentor you need and look for someone that falls into this category.
- Create a list of people who may be willing to mentor you. -Pick someone successful at what they do, yet also has some similarities with you.
- Research the person and find their contact information (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter).
- Draft an email or call them up and ask if they would be interested in mentoring you or if they know anyone else who would be suitable for this role.
- This should be done with tact and politeness so it does not seem like you are trying to strong-arm them into being your mentor.
- Identify someone who could give you both practical help as well as emotional support-Find somebody available and willing to invest time into helping you grow your career
- Seek out somebody who can provide honest feedback about your work, even if it isn’t always positive.
Beginning the process
The first step in finding the right mentor is figuring out what you want from them. What skills do you need? What are your personal goals? And what type of help do you need in general? What’s more, it’s important to find someone who shares your beliefs and values. If they have different opinions than you, it might be hard for them to provide honest feedback. And if they don’t share your beliefs or values, chances are that their advice won’t resonate with you on an emotional level either.
When looking for mentors, it’s also helpful to look at their interests and background when searching through LinkedIn profiles. You want someone who has experience and knowledge that aligns with yours so that they can provide relevant insights.