You're looking for a mentor outside your department. What's the best way to find one?

1 Define your goals

Before you start looking for a mentor, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve from the mentoring relationship. Do you want to improve your technical analysis skills, learn more about a specific market or industry, or explore new career opportunities? Having specific and realistic goals will help you narrow down your search and communicate your expectations to potential mentors.

3 Reach out and introduce yourself

After you have identified some potential mentors, you need to reach out and introduce yourself. You can send them a polite and concise email or message, explaining who you are, what you do, and why you are interested in learning from them. You should also mention your specific goals and how they relate to their background and skills. You should avoid asking for a formal mentoring relationship right away, as this may seem too demanding or presumptuous. Instead, you should express your appreciation for their time and ask if they would be willing to have an informal chat with you.

4 Prepare for the chat

If a potential mentor agrees to chat with you, you should prepare for the conversation. You should do some background research on their profile, work history, and achievements, and prepare some relevant and thoughtful questions to ask them. You should also be ready to share your own story, skills, and interests, and how they align with technical analysis. You should aim to make a good impression, show your enthusiasm and curiosity, and build rapport and trust.

5 Follow up and maintain contact

After the chat, you should follow up with a thank-you note, expressing your gratitude and highlighting the key takeaways from the conversation. You should also ask for their feedback and suggestions on how to improve your technical analysis skills and career prospects. You should maintain regular contact with them, updating them on your progress and achievements, and seeking their advice and guidance when needed. You should also look for ways to add value to them, such as sharing useful resources, offering your help, or introducing them to other contacts.

6 Evaluate and adjust

Finally, you should evaluate and adjust your mentoring relationship as you go along. You should check in with your mentor periodically, and ask them if they are satisfied with the frequency, duration, and format of the interactions. You should also review your goals and expectations, and see if they are being met or need to be changed. You should be open to feedback, constructive criticism, and new ideas from your mentor. You should also be respectful, flexible, and appreciative of their time and effort.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?