What is a Career Mentor?

Having a mentor can change everything.

Everyone can use helpful advice, especially regarding decisions involving their work or career. Whether you work a nine to five job, are building a start-up, or running a successful business, it helps to have someone experienced by your side who can share their knowledge when required.

A career mentor can help guide you when making critical work-related decisions. Your mentor helps you identify goals, tackle issues, and solve problems you may face in your career.

If you are not sure how a mentor can be helpful, read on.

How does a mentor help?

A mentor offers experienced advice. They have years of industry experience and knowledge under their belt. They have accumulated experience and practical know-how, including success and failure, so they can impart valuable advice.

Let’s look at some examples of how they can help.

1. If you waffle between choosing two companies or two different careers, they can help identify the pros and cons of either option. They help you critically assess your options and select what is ultimately best for your individual goals and needs.
2. A mentor will review your CV, suggest ways to improve it and help you prepare for interviews. In addition, they can use their wide network to help find job opportunities that match your criteria.
3. A career mentor can answer questions about their field of work and share their critical thinking about other career options outside of their specialty.
4. If you operate a business, a mentor offers advice when you can’t decide on crucial business issues like signing a partnership or a merger or making a considerable investment. Mentors are there to discuss all aspects of your situation and provide honest feedback and multiple perspectives.
5. In addition to offering insight into different work areas, a mentor introduces you to their extensive and well-established network. You benefit from your mentor’s career experience but also their network’s collective wisdom and experience.

What qualities should I look for in a mentor?

A person’s career path continues to evolve as they progress from one stage to another or may shift with a career change. A capable mentor can guide you throughout your career iterations. Here are a few qualities that your mentor should have:

They Are Compatible With You.

It takes time to know someone fully. You should look for a mentor with whom you easily connect. This means you should look for someone with professional experience and who shares similar values.

They offer diverse perspectives.

A career mentor explores new avenues when you are tied to old paths. They enable you to think outside the box and offer unique perspectives you might not see. A mentor helps you explore your thoughts, identify possibilities, and expand your vision.

They make time for you.

Whenever you have some new ideas percolating, and you are unsure about execution, your mentor will be there to hear you out. Mentors make time for their mentees even when they have a lot on their plates.

They are trustworthy.

Your mentor’s personality should be inspiring, trustworthy, and reassuring, especially when discussing confidential matters. This connection and trust take time to build. Once you’ve established mutual trust, you will benefit from your ability to be candid with one another.

They are experts.

You don’t necessarily need a mentor from the top of the industry to guide you. Look for someone who has attained enough experience and skills to help you professionally address concerns thoughtfully and effectively. Only focusing on titles or the number of years within the industry is not as important as the mentor’s acquired wisdom and knowledge.

They cheer for you.

If you lose your way or momentum, a mentor is there to encourage you and revitalise your energy. Your career and life can drain your energy and make it challenging to work while under pressure. A mentor acts as your professional cheerleader and gives you the encouragement and guidance needed to be productive again.

Besides keeping your energy levels up, a mentor makes sure you stay focused and driven.

Having read the benefits of having a mentor, you must be wondering how you can find one. Let’s make it a little easy for you.

Tips for finding a mentor

Finding the right career mentor may seem like a daunting task. It is somewhat tricky, but here are some valuable tips:

• Research within your field of work and identify the top mentors in that field. Try to network with people who know your prospective mentor and ask them to share their experiences and insight regarding your mentor.
• Once you’ve identified industry experts and leaders, research them thoroughly and learn what you can about their background, education, and if you share common interests. (Use LinkedIn or social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to glean insight.)
• Create a shortlist of prospective mentors based on their expertise and interests and identify which ones are a good fit.
• Add these people on LinkedIn and other social media platforms, but make sure to introduce yourself by sending a thoughtful and well-crafted message or email.
• Once you have reached out to introduce yourself, be patient and await their response. It could take a day or two for them to reply to your message. When they do respond, answer back tactfully and begin building your relationship.
• Form a professional connection first and slowly take it towards a friendly relationship. Get to know their personality and try to convey yours. You’ll know right away if they are the right fit for you.

Follow these steps, and if you are methodical and lucky, you find your ideal career mentor. Check out our website for more information www.urturntoday.com