You’re feeling lost in your career. How can you find a mentor who can help you get back on track?

3 Initiate contact

After you have found a potential mentor who meets your criteria and interests, you need to initiate contact with them. This can be done by sending them an email, a message, or a phone call. The purpose of this contact is to introduce yourself, express your interest in their work, and request a meeting or a conversation. You should be polite, respectful, and concise, and avoid being too pushy or demanding. You should also explain why you are seeking a mentor and what you hope to learn from them.

4 Build rapport

If the potential mentor agrees to meet or talk with you, you need to build rapport with them. This means establishing a connection, trust, and mutual respect. To do this, express genuine curiosity and appreciation for their work, achievements, and insights. Ask open-ended questions and listen actively to their answers. Additionally, share your own experiences, challenges, and goals while being honest and vulnerable. Furthermore, try to find common ground and interests, showing empathy and humor. Building rapport will help you create a positive impression and a foundation for a lasting relationship.

5 Establish expectations

Once you have built rapport with the potential mentor, it is important to establish expectations for the mentorship. This includes discussing and agreeing on the desired outcomes, roles, responsibilities, boundaries, and logistics of the relationship. You should define the objectives you want to achieve with their help, as well as the expectations for both parties in terms of giving and receiving feedback, providing and seeking advice, or sharing and respecting opinions. Furthermore, you should agree on the frequency, duration, and mode of communication such as weekly, monthly, or quarterly meetings via phone calls, emails, or video chats. Additionally, you should determine the duration and scope of the mentorship such as a short-term or long-term commitment for a specific project or general career development. Establishing expectations will help you avoid misunderstandings and ensure a successful mentorship.

6 Maintain the relationship

After you have established expectations with the mentor, you need to maintain the relationship. This involves staying in touch, following up, and showing appreciation. Communicate regularly and consistently, respecting the agreed schedule and mode of communication. Let your mentor know about your progress, achievements, and challenges, and ask for their feedback, advice, or support. Implement their suggestions, apply their lessons, and show your growth and improvement. Don’t forget to thank them for their time, effort, and contribution either verbally or in writing. All of this will help you strengthen the bond, enhance the learning experience, and foster the mutual benefit of the mentorship.