As many people enter the workforce or have been given the pink slip out of the workforce, having a mentor is a great resource and support system to help you navigate your way to success in your current career path or if you want to embark on a new endeavor. A mentor is a person who can provide you with guidance, support, advice, and constructive criticism. You mentor ultimately should serve as a compass to help point you in the right direction towards success.
Many companies have mentorship programs and I think that it is great; however, I would encourage you to find mentors outside of your company as they can provide you with a fresh unbiased perspective. When you are looking for a mentor it is ideal that they have the following qualities:
· Proven Success – It is key to pick a mentor who has proved to be successful in their particular field. This is important because they can provide you insight and advice on how they gained success. In most cases, most successful people have failed many times and they could also provide you with information to keep you from making the same mistakes they made, making it easier to achieve success without all of the pitfalls.
· Well Connected – A mentor can help you when you are looking for a new job or clients for your new business. They should be able to connect you with people that could help you to meet your objectives or provide new insights.
· Honest – You don’t want a mentor who is a “yes man”. You want to have a mentor who will be brutally honest with you when no one else will be. You want that mentor to be able to provide you with constructive criticism and play Devil’s advocate every now and then to keep you on your toes and to think outside the box.
· Available – Choose a mentor who will be able to meet with you on a regular basis. Your relationship with your mentor should be a two way street. So make sure that you are available as well.
Now that you know what to look for in a mentor, here are some places you can find a mentor.
· Your friend’s parents – if you have a friend whose parents, aunts, uncles, or cousins are in a profession that you are interested in and possess the qualities listed above, ask them for their number or for an introduction. There is already some connection and they are probably more inclined to say yes.
· Former Managers –Reach out to managers that you had during your internship or previous jobs that you had a good working relationship with. They have already had the opportunity to see how you work and can provide you with great insight.
· Keynote Speakers – I found one of my mentors when I attended a conference and exchanged cards with one of the keynote speakers. He was very successful and I wanted to learn as much as I could from him. I reached out to him for advice and we have had a very successful mentoring relationship ever since.
· Online – There are tons of mentorship programs and websites that will link you with a mentor. Some of these sites and programs require a membership cost, but if you can’t find a mentor on your own, this may be your best bet.
Good luck finding a mentor (or two)!
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