Finding a mentor is an important step in advancing your career and achieving success. But where do you start? It's important to think outside the box and look for mentors in a variety of places. From business associations to non-profit organizations, religious groups, family members, and even community groups, there are many potential mentors out there. SCORE is a great resource for small businesses looking for mentors.
They offer “volunteer mentors” who have experience in 62 industries. Doña Storey, mentor at the OPEN Mentorship Institute and advisor to American Express OPEN on procurement, believes that mentors can help their trainees identify and avoid business difficulties and overcome the challenges that arise. Ryan Holiday, author and career expert, suggests that finding a mentor starts with working hard and developing a personal reputation for success. When you've identified someone you'd like to be your mentor, it's important to get to know them better.
Ask them about their hobbies, what books they like to read, or what they like to do on the weekends. A first meeting over coffee or a short video call is a great way to evaluate your chemistry and see if they are the right fit for you. Once you've found the right mentor, it's important to be clear about the time required and the availability of your mentor. Set up a regular meeting schedule with topics you would like to discuss.
Mentoring is an invaluable way to hone professional skills and learn from someone with years of practical knowledge in their field. As a mentee, it's important to remember that mentoring is a two-way street. You should be prepared to give something back in return for your mentor's help. About once a month or two is good for the first year, and as time goes on and you've established a good mentoring relationship, it's okay to ping your mentor even once a quarter.
