You’re looking to grow your career. How can you find the right mentor to help you get there?

1 Define your objectives

Before you start looking for a mentor, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve from the relationship. What are your specific career goals, challenges, or interests? What skills or knowledge do you want to develop or improve? How do you prefer to communicate and receive feedback? Having a clear vision of your objectives will help you narrow down your search and communicate your expectations to a potential mentor.

2 Identify potential mentors

Once you have defined your objectives, you can start looking for potential mentors who match your criteria. You can start with your existing network, such as your colleagues, managers, peers, or alumni. You can also expand your network by attending events, joining online communities, or reaching out to people you admire or follow on social media. Look for people who have relevant experience, expertise, or insights in your field or industry, who share your values and interests, and who have a positive reputation and influence.

3 Reach out and build rapport

When you have a shortlist of potential mentors, you need to reach out to them and express your interest in learning from them. You can send them a friendly email, a LinkedIn message, or a phone call, depending on the context and the level of familiarity. In your initial contact, you should introduce yourself, explain why you are interested in them as a mentor, and highlight what you can offer them in return, such as your skills, enthusiasm, or network. You should also ask them if they are open to having a conversation with you to explore the possibility of a mentoring relationship. If they agree, you should prepare some questions to ask them during the conversation, such as their background, their goals, their challenges, their expectations, and their availability. The goal of the conversation is to build rapport, establish trust, and assess the compatibility between you and the potential mentor.

4 Set the ground rules

If you and the potential mentor decide to proceed with the mentoring relationship, you need to set the ground rules and expectations for both parties. You should discuss and agree on the following aspects: the duration and frequency of the mentoring sessions, the mode and method of communication, the topics and agenda of each session, the roles and responsibilities of each party, the feedback and evaluation process, and the confidentiality and boundaries of the relationship. You should also set some SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals and milestones to track your progress and outcomes.

5 Maintain the relationship

Once you have established the mentoring relationship, you need to maintain it and make it mutually beneficial and rewarding. You should respect your mentor's time and availability, show up prepared and punctual for each session, follow up on the action items and feedback, and communicate regularly and honestly. You should also show appreciation and gratitude for your mentor's support and guidance, celebrate your achievements and successes, and provide constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement. You should also seek opportunities to reciprocate and add value to your mentor, such as sharing your insights, resources, or contacts, or helping them with their projects or challenges.

6 Review and adjust

Finally, you should review and adjust the mentoring relationship periodically to ensure that it is meeting your needs and objectives. You should evaluate your progress and outcomes, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and reflect on your learning and growth. You should also solicit feedback from your mentor, acknowledge their contributions, and discuss any issues or concerns. You should also be open to changing or ending the mentoring relationship if it is no longer serving your purpose or if there are any conflicts or mismatches. You should always end the relationship on a positive note, thank your mentor for their support, and maintain the connection for future collaboration or networking.

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?