How to Find a Mentor

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Having a good mentor is priceless but a lot of people don’t know how to find a mentor.   This post will walk you through how you can find a mentor regardless of your industry or stage of career.

Have a mentor?  Check out 25 Questions to Ask Your Mentor post! 

Why are Mentors Important?

Mentors provide many benefits whether you are just starting a job or have been in your role for twenty years. Many people think that mentors are for finding a new job but that is the only way that mentors can help you in your career.   For one, a mentor can improve your engagement by providing you with a neutral sounding board for ideas and concerns. Sometimes we just need someone to talk to (or vent to) in a safe space and a good mentor can provide that for you. They can also help you think differently about situations which are very helpful, especially if you are angry or stuck with a challenging problem.

In addition to providing support, mentors can help you become better your current role.  They are likely your mentor because you or someone feels that they have skills that you can utilize in your growth.  Taking advantage of this expertise or skillset can help you tackle challenging problems that you may be facing.  They can provide you with tips and strategies to deepen your skills which will make you better.

How to Find a Mentor

Your Company

Many large companies have a formal mentorship program that matches employees with mentors.  This would be a great place for you to find a mentor because it may force you to go outside of your comfort zone a bit.  For example, one time I  was matched with an employee from a completely different area of the company. At first, I  didn’t think I would get much from the mentorship but in reality, I learned and grew a ton from that relationship. It really expanded my horizon and forced me to get out of my own world a bit.  Not sure if you have a mentorship program? You can ask your manager or call HR. They will likely know if something exists in your organization.

Your Manager

Speaking of managers, ask your manager if they can help you find a mentor. Tell them what skills you are looking to develop or what you are trying to accomplish with a mentor. They likely have someone in their network that they can pair you up with.  Make sure that if you are asking your manager to find you a mentor, that you are taking the mentorship seriously. Being a mentor is a big commitment and not something to be taken lightly so your boss is going out on a limb by asking on your behalf.  The worst thing you can do is make your boss look bad by not taking the mentorship seriously.

Coworker

Have you worked with someone on a project or admired someone’s work from afar? They may be a great mentor for you.   So often we think that a mentor needs to be an executive but sometimes the best mentors are peers.  They can understand the role that you are in and can relate to the challenges that you face.   This makes for a great mentor!    Plus, being a mentor can help them grow as well so it is a win for both of you!

Industry

Many professional associations have formal mentorship programs that you can take advantage of. If not, look for someone that possesses the skills that you are looking to gain and simply asks them.  Make sure that you spell out what you are looking to gain and how much of a commitment you are looking for when you ask. You would be surprised how many people would say yes!

Social Media

Fortunately, social media makes the world so small.  Sites like Facebook or LinkedIn are a great place to find virtual mentors.   Look for someone in your network that you really admire and can relate to. Start a relationship with them by engaging with their posts and content. Once you cultivate the relationship a bit, ask them if they would be willing to start a mentoring relationship with you. Again, make sure that you are clearly setting out your goals and expectations (try to be realistic here, 30 minutes a month is much easier to commit to than 30 minutes a week) when you are asking.   If they do happen to say no, kindly ask them if they happen to know anyone that may be a good fit.   So many people would be flattered and excited at the prospect of being your mentor. You just need to find them and ask!

Have you ever had a mentor?  How did you find them? What did you get out of that relationship?

 

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