For someone aspiring to work in a certain position or get support reaching their career goals, a mentor can be an invaluable resource. When you find a mentor who is in a position you’re aiming for, has skills you wish to develop, or who simply has wisdom to pass on, they can be a great asset in boosting your professional and personal development.
In this article, we cover everything you need to know about finding a mentor, including what qualities to look for and how to get started in your search.
Mentors act as role models, and can help you whether you’re a new graduate or already in a senior position. They provide insight into potential career paths, giving valuable advice based on their skills and experience.
In anyone’s professional life there will be challenges and questions, and a mentor can give you advice and support, provide an outside perspective, and help keep you on track to your professional goals.
Before you learn how to get a mentor, you need to first consider what you’re hoping to gain from a mentorship. Here are some tips to get you started.
Before finding a mentor, consider your short-term development goals and long-term career aspirations. This might include things like wanting to acquire a specific skill, working in a specific role or even changing careers. With your goals in mind, you can identify a mentor that will be able to give you the right advice and guidance. The more specific your goals, the better you can define what you need from a mentor.
Ideally, your mentor should be in your desired field or position. For example, if you want to one day become a CEO of a company, seeking out a CEO to mentor you will help you make the right choices for a career in senior leadership. If you hope to work in a specialised area, for example, aeronautical engineering, a mentor in this specific field can provide advice on the technical expertise and qualifications you’d need.
Another important element to consider is how well you get along with your mentor. You should feel comfortable asking your mentor questions, and be compatible with their style of mentoring should. Your mentor should have communication skills that match yours and the right amount of availability for you.
If you’re not sure how to find a mentor in Australia, there are certain strategies you can take. Here are some methods to try.
You may already know someone from past jobs who would be a good mentor. Consider people you’ve worked with, former educators (such as university lecturers), and any industry contacts you know. Is there anyone at a past company who you particularly admire? Are there any senior leaders in your circle that you look up to? Mine your existing network for ideas.
Professional or alumni networking events can be a great place to find a mentor. Many people attending networking events may have mentored before or already know how to mentor someone with your specific goals.
If you’re not ready to step into a professional networking event, consider a mentorship program or using a membership directory offered by business-community groups.
There are many online mentoring platforms that can connect you with a mentor that suits your goals and learning style. If you live in a remote or small community, an online platform can give you access to mentors in major cities or with international experience. You can start with social media industry groups to search out potential mentors or specific mentorship programs, like:
Many are industry specific, such as Brancher, which is a mentoring platform for science and technology professionals.
Social media can be a great way to find mentors. By following industry leaders, you can start to engage in discussions and trends relevant to your field. This will help you build and expand your professional network.
Many professionals will post about mentorship opportunities, or you could post about how you’re seeking a mentor and what you’re looking for.
Once you find someone you’d like to mentor you, it’s time to reach out to them. It’s important your message or email is professional and straight to the point.
Dear Jara,
My name is Evelyn and I was referred to you by Andrei Poloshov, as I am an aspiring software engineer. Currently, I am studying software development at university. I admire your work in mobile apps and systems software, so would love the opportunity to speak with you about your career path.
I am in the stage of my career where I would love a mentor to help me in the challenges ahead. If you have the time, I would love the opportunity to speak with you about you potentially becoming my mentor.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration. I hope to speak with you soon.
Kindest regards,
Everlyn Curtrill
Dear Dr. Biancini,
My name is Jun and I am a pharmacy undergrad. I have followed you on social media for some time and am in awe of the work you have been doing in cancer drug research for GlaxoSmithKline.
It has always been a goal of mine to work in a similar role for a global pharmaceutical company and contribute to breakthrough drug research as you have been doing. I’m reaching out to see if you would consider taking me on as a mentee as I pursue this goal.
I am so grateful for your consideration.
Kindest regards,
Jun Tua
Once you’ve made contact with your mentor, arrange to meet with them in person – or online if it is more convenient. The aim of the meeting should be to get to know them and start building a relationship. If you have not brought up the subject of mentorship, you can do so in this meeting, if you feel you have a good rapport with the person.
If the person has agreed to be your mentor, it’s up to you to nurture the relationship. Take the initiative by setting up meetings or establishing regular times for mentoring sessions. Share any progress you’ve made as a result of their advice and keep them up to date with your continuing progress and future goals. Let them know their mentorship is appreciated and helpful, and that you are grateful for their ongoing support. Offer to provide any support they may need.
With these tips for how to get a mentor and how to find a mentor in your chosen field, you’re one step closer to reaching your professional goals. A mentor can pass on the knowledge they’ve gained through life experience and provide insider tips specific to your career objectives. A mentor can also provide moral support and give you clarity on what choices to make if you find yourself at a career crossroads.
If you’re not sure how to find mentors, start with your network. Reach out to people you already know, then attend networking events or join a networking program to expand your professional circle. These methods can all help you find a mentor who is in your industry.
To get someone to mentor you, start by setting up a conversation and explaining why you’re seeking a mentor. Let them know why you’d like them specifically to mentor you.
You should look for a mentor who is supportive, has good communication skills, and who inspires you. The right mentor for you depends on your career and professional goals, so it's important to first identify what you want out of your mentor before you start looking for one.
No, a mentor and a career coach are not the same. A mentor is someone who draws on their own life experiences to help you develop as a person and in your career, while a career coach doesn’t necessarily have any expertise in your field, but can help you build a strategy and motivate you to work towards your professional goals.
The length of a mentorship depends on your situation. Most mentorship programs will typically have set timelines of three to six months, but a mentorship relationship can potentially last years.
It’s normal to feel a little intimidated reaching out to a potential mentor, but the worst that can happen is they decline. There’s nothing to fear about approaching someone to mentor you, and if they do decline, try not to take it personally.
If you’re unsure of the type of mentor you need, spend some time defining your career goals and people whose job you aspire to have. Once you are clear on your goals, you’ll be able to identify a mentor that matches your needs.
The time you commit to a mentor depends on the arrangement you have with your mentor. Generally, you should commit a minimum of one meeting a month to a mentorship, and an hour or so a week reflecting on their guidance and working on your development.
Some good ways to find and choose a mentor include:
Using your network
Attend networking events
Via mentorship programs or online platforms
Go to industry-specific events or join clubs or groups in your field to find a mentor who can provide the most relevant guidance and support.
Mentors don’t typically get paid. While coaches or consultants charge for their services, mentors donate their time to help others.