In every facet of life, the advice of someone more experienced can benefit you.
Nowhere is this truer than in your career, where a mentor can elevate your know-how and abilities – if you find the right person, ask the best questions, and — here’s the kicker — listen, listen, listen.
Let’s walk through the steps to finding your perfect mentor, and how to get the most out of that relationship.
Step one: Find your targets and be bold.
Who do you admire professionally? Who is doing the job, day in and day out, that you aspire to do? Who gets you excited about your profession? Those are your potential mentors.
Once you’ve identified a short list of mentors, do your research. Arm yourself with information about your potential mentors’ accomplishments, backgrounds, and current jobs. If you’re seeking someone’s help, it’s best to know their story so you can engage in a productive conversation from the start.
Most potential mentors will be flattered to hear from you and eager to help, so don’t be afraid to take the first step — as long as you’re prepared. Check out these tips for searching on LinkedIn to find your ideal mentor.
If you’re still having a hard time finding mentors, joining a networking organization and going to a meet-up is another great path.
Step two: Set up meetings and keep an open mind.
Once you’ve gotten a few responses from potential mentors (or just one, but multiple is better), set up a time to meet. This is a good chance to talk about common interests, professional goals, and anything else that may come up.
Be open to hearing advice you may not like. If a potential mentor tells you, for example, that you should dress differently to be taken more seriously in your profession, don’t reject their admonition.
Remember, you’ve sought out a mentor. Don’t go on the defensive if they are trying to give you constructive criticism.
Here are more tips for what to expect from a mentor meeting.
Step three: Narrow down the candidates.
Once you’ve met with potential mentors and gotten a feel for their abilities and personalities, it’s time to choose the best fit.
Make your choice carefully, and then set up another meeting. Don’t worry if you can’t choose just one, because there’s no limit on the number of mentors you can have.
Bonus: Women can have an especially difficult time finding a mentor. Here’s an article with some excellent tips specifically for women on navigating the mentor-finding process.
The bottom line
Choosing a mentor is a big step in establishing a long, crucial, and hopefully fruitful relationship that will help you advance your career. You can lean on the relationship more in rough times and less in easy times, but it’s one that should continue for a long time. So what are you waiting for? If you don’t have a mentor, you’re missing out, professionally and personally.
