You’re looking for a mentor to guide your career. How can you tell if they’re the right one?

You can online stalk for a mentor or if you are a transitioning servicemember you can contact American Corporate Partners or Veterati and get matched with a pro for free.

A good mentor uses an individualized approach to guide an advisee. Must have a high level of emotional intelligence which is apparent by the ways of dealing with one's personal profile. She or he must have a very good knowledge of the labor market, especially of the one the advisee works and operates. She or he takes properly into consideration issues concerning family and related issues, affecting career decisions. A good mentor gives a boost to the advisee moral, strengthening his or her capacity building. Accordingly he or she giudes the advisee to upskilling or reskilling process, selecting for her or him the right courses or seminars. If some or all of these items are missing, it is clear that the so called mentor is not a good one.

I always emphasize the importance of clarity before seeking a mentor to my clients. To have the maximum von it is crucial to understand your career aspirations, challenges, and what you wish to gain from the mentorship, such as skills, knowledge, insights and network opportunities. Identify the type of support you need and your preferred communication frequency and method. This preparation ensures you find a mentor who truly aligns with your goals and can offer the guidance you require for professional growth.

In my experience, one of the first hurdles people face is knowing where to seek mentorship. Regardless of your career stage, tapping into your university's alumni network is one of the most effective ways to do so. You already share a common ground, which makes cultivating the relationship easier and alleviates the pressure of initiating small talk. Visit your university's alumni website, join network events, or utilize alumni platforms to connect with individuals who inspire you and whom you aspire to be like in the future. Take the initiative and start connecting!

Mentors can bring so much incredible value to your personal and professional life. But it is still important to select the right person for the job, and that depends on your own personal goals. What are your goals, anyway? That is the first step to finding that perfect mentor. What do you hope to achieve? Where do you need guidance? What skills do you want to develop? What challenges are you facing? These are all questions that you should ask yourself first. And only THEN is it time to start searching for mentors who have experience and expertise in the areas relevant to your goals.

A great starting point is to identify your ideal job within an organization and then research individuals who currently hold that position. You can browse through their career paths on LinkedIn, then reach out with a cold message to arrange either a virtual or face-to-face coffee chat.

La investigación sobre los mentores potenciales es fundamental. Busca los perfiles en redes profesionales como LinkedIn, sitios web personales, o plataformas especializadas, observar su experiencia laboral, logros, habilidades destacadas. Investiga su trabajo previo para comprender mejor su enfoque, estilo y áreas de especialización. Ver testimonios y referencias para darte una idea de su reputación, estilo de mentoría y la efectividad de su enfoque. Considera si el mentor comparte tus valores fundamentales y tiene una visión similar en cuanto a tu desarrollo profesional. Estos análisis aumentarán las probabilidades de establecer una relación de mentoría con éxito y productiva.

Congratulations, you have identified your goals! Now the fun starts, let's find that perfect mentor that will help to take you to the next level. Your are probably wondering, where in the heck will I find a mentor who meets all of my criteria?! Here are a few ideas: 1. LinkedIn is a great place to start because you can review their profiles, posts, articles, etc. to get to know them a bit better before reaching out. 2. Use your network, and ask for recommendations from colleagues, mentors, or industry other contacts. 3. Look for any publications, books, articles, or interviews featuring potential mentors. 4. Attend industry events, conferences, or seminars where potential mentors may be speaking or participating. Good luck!

Be bold in making introductions to people you believe not only add value to the mission but are trailblazers. Understand their unique skill sets and overall impact. Let them tell you their story and help you craft yours. I’ve always sought out entrepreneurial-minded individuals because business development skills are always useful in the corporate world. High energy, drivers for change often welcome the opportunity to fuel others’ careers. From personal experience, I’ve never been turned down as a mentee so that’s the good news! Don’t be afraid to reach out, get out of your comfort zone and grow.

My advise that selecting a mentor goes beyond just evaluating their professional accomplishments. It's crucial to delve into their background, leveraging online profiles and publications, to understand their expertise and reputation. Equally important is tapping into your personal network for firsthand testimonials. This dual approach ensures you find a mentor not only with impressive credentials but also one whose values and vision resonate with yours. A mentorship is a personal journey of growth; therefore finding a mentor who aligns with your interests and aspirations is key to a fruitful and inspiring experience.

Once you decide that you need and are ready for a mentor and have done your research, it is time to schedule conversations with those whom you are considering as a mentor. It is a conversation and interview process. Are they interested in being your mentor, what is the relationship you want and they are willing/able to have, a schedule that you all can agree on, and more. If these can be agreed to then you can move forward, if not they are not the mentor for you. Make sure that your needs can be met if you want to be successful in your mentorship relationship.

Five things to check 1. Have they traveled a journey that you dream for 2. Check their content, as you read thru, you'll realise how authentic are they 3. Check the success stories they have delivered 4. Connect woth their mentees to get a feel of their method of Mentoring. You will get a first hand idea about whether that style suits you. 5. Do not overthing, if your FEEL connected with all the above, take a decision

Your goals are crystal clear and you have even identified that PERFECT mentor. So, how in the heck do you reach out without sounding too crazy?! (You're not crazy, just smart and proactive!). I would start by using your mutual connections, if possible. This is a great way to break the ice. If this isn't possible, then you could simply connect on LinkedIn and write them a nice message. Your message would probably focus on how impressive they are and why you believe they would be a great mentor for you. Writing a nice message is a great way to introduce yourself while clearly expressing your interest in establishing a mentoring relationship.

Your expectations of a mentor should be realistic. A mentor shows the way, shares his/her own experiences. It saves you time and energy. In this process, it is your duty to draw your own path with what your mentor conveys to you and to show the necessary effort.

In my opinion, it takes time, effort, and patience to be a good mentor. Leader could be anyone, but to be a mentor you have to have the above mentioned, plus motivation to teach, advise, and assist someone whose potential is unlimited. As a Mentor, you become that Father or Uncle or Big Brother who guide him/her to be SUCCESSFUL.

I have been mentoring for more than 10 years and I can say that most of my mentees are people who have watched my videos, who follow me on social media, who have been following me for a long time. They come to me with an idea and knowledge about my career vision. This shows how essential and useful it is for a mentor to be a "visible expert" and a "key influencer".

An example of questions could be: 1. "Can you share your career journey and how it has shaped your mentoring style?" 2. "What are your current projects, and how do you integrate your mentees into your work?" 3. "What do you expect from a mentee, and how do you typically structure your mentorship sessions?" 4. "How do you provide feedback, and could you give an example of how you've helped a mentee overcome a challenge?"

Some good questions you can ask for your first mentoring session: 1: What advice would you give to someone starting out in this field? 2: Are there any specific skills or experiences you recommend I focus on developing to advance in this industry? 3:Are there any networking opportunities or professional organizations you recommend I join?

Post-meeting, reflect on your comfort, the mentor's interest in you, the insights provided, alignment with your goals, respect for your boundaries, and the rapport established. Affirmative answers to these aspects likely indicate a strong mentor fit, essential for a fruitful mentorship journey.

Here's a valuable tip for staying connected with your mentor: periodically share your career updates with them. Whether it's through an email or a message on LinkedIn, letting them know about your achievements and expressing gratitude for their guidance can help maintain a strong connection and show appreciation for their support in helping you reach your goals.

Some thoughts are: 1. Define your goals - be clear what you want to achieve. 2. Consider your motivations - what are your career goals and how this engagement can help. 3. Look for relevant experience 4. Determine core values - Alignment of values is crucial. 5. Look for critical qualities such as: approachability, time availability, education and growth, trust, Constructive feedback, Positive outlook and motivational skills. Ideally this is person known for their achievements and industry experience and therefore in a position to guide you to grow and forewarn about the pitfalls that will come. Additionally a mentor should be someone who inspires you to be better, and demonstrates the kind of skills and behaviors you look up to.

To determine if your mentor is the right fit, follow these simple steps: 1. Assess if you can connect with the person and genuinely respect their work, personality, or other qualities. 2. Engage in discussions about your strengths, weaknesses, and challenges, seeking suggestions and feedback. 3. Confirm if the mentor is interested, possesses the expertise you seek, and is willing to provide continuous guidance and genuine feedback.

Remember, a great mentorship is a two-way street! Make sure you're prepared to be an active participant - receptive to feedback, committed to the process, and respectful of your mentor's time.

I will add one more recommendation that is significant from my perspective: A valuable mentor is someone who caters to your needs, ensuring not only a wealth of knowledge but also a smooth and enjoyable conversation. It's not just about expertise; it's about finding the right fit. Ultimately, these meetings should be a source of pleasure, not an obligation.

As in all relationships, the most successful mentorship’s are reciprocal. Lean on the mentor for their experience and pay it forward, but also pay your respects to the mentor - show open appreciation. Sustain those relationships that warrant the continuity, but appreciate even those that wane.