A relationship with a mentor can be one of the most valuable steps to move your career forward. Mentors can provide direction, inspiration, and keen perspective to their charges. However, finding the right one may prove challenging. That’s because it’s not as easy as locating someone successful to agree to be your mentor. Important factors must be taken into consideration. The priority should be finding a good fit. Before a mentor and mentee agree to form a relationship, there should be mutually held principles to steer it. Here are a few tips on what to keep in mind for your search.
The greatest criterion should be a mentor who you’re aligned with—in personality and philosophy. Experience matters, but a mentor should share your values and understand your vision. Many times, mentees are drawn to someone impressive on paper or by reputation, but their styles don’t mesh. For instance, a mentor who built their reputation on aggressive risk-taking may frustrate someone who’s more at ease with calculated, strategic moves. Ultimately, mentorship is a two-way street. Without compatibility, even well-intentioned advice will feel mismatched or awkward. Expectations will fall short on both ends.
Accessibility to potential mentors presents another challenge. The most-admired leaders and experts of any industry are frequently in high demand. This means their time is at a premium. They may already have mentees or be occupied with their own obligations. This can be frustrating to a prospective mentee, especially if they have a specific person in mind as their all-or-nothing option. It’s okay if your “dream” candidate isn’t available. You don’t have to lower your standards. Expanding the search beyond high-profile executives makes it easier to find someone both capable and available.
Matching with the right mentor begins with a clear, deliberate goal. Knowing what you want to acquire—whether technical knowledge, guidance, or career strategy—will help you target someone who can deliver the desired results. From there, build relationships! Run through your personal and social media contacts. Attend industry events and join professional groups. And unless you already know your potential mentor, approach that person with genuine interest, rather than a blunt request upon meeting. This will make for a more natural introduction and—ideally—a more genuine connection.
Finally, it’s good to remember that mentoring doesn’t always take place in the conventional one-to-one manner. Networking events offer “flash mentoring,” short-term or one-off interactions that can provide focused advice on a specific issue. One mentor might guide you in leadership, another in operations, and another in work-life balance. By taking more of a mentorship-by-committee approach, mentees are exposed to different perspectives. By staying open to all modes of mentorship, and waiting for the right opportunity, you can create more chances to support your professional growth.