In the rest of this article you’ll find steps to
executing a mentor hunt and how they relate to finding a job.
Step 1. Define Your
Objective
When you define your objective in a job search it helps
you filter your job search and screen employers. If you think of mentors as
employers, defining your objective helps you do the same thing when searching
for a mentor.
Define your mentor search objective by asking yourself
these 3 questions and answering them honestly:
1.
Why
do you want a mentor?
Your potential mentors may want to
know the answer to this question along with details of your career path thus
far, and more importantly, the career you envision for yourself. Be prepared!
2.
What
qualities do you want in a mentor?
Have 3-5 must have qualities, but
still be open minded; if someone does not completely meet your must haves, but there
is trust and chemistry, there may still be a beneficial fit.
3.
What
type of mentoring relationship do you want?
You have more options than just a one
to one relationship. Check out this Golden Briefcase article about seven typesof mentoring relationships and their benefits.
Remember your answers; you’ll need them as you get closer
to finding a mentor!
Step 2. Polish Your
Image
If you think of a mentor as an employer, then you know
they have their own set of qualifications you need to pass. A prospective
mentor may not place want ads, but there are qualities a mentee should possess
or develop in order to be taken seriously. If you are truly passionate about achieving
your objective, these qualities should already be something you possess.
Your online image should be consistent with your offline image |
Commitment.
The reason many
people seek mentors is because they have a career goal they want to achieve. In
return for a mentors time and guidance, a mentee can at least be committed to
their own cause. This means showing initiative and follow through.
Receptiveness.
A mentor is someone
who offers knowledge, feedback, and information; whether it be positive or
negative, a mentee should be ready to receive it, process it, and improve from
it. Someone who is ready for a mentor understands that they will not always
hear favorable feedback, but it will help just the same (if not more).
Desire to
learn. Mentorship is about
growth and in order to grow you must be willing to learn. A serious mentor
admires a thirst for knowledge.
Your goal now as a mentee is to present a consistent on
and offline image that projects these qualities as well as your personality. Clean
up your LinkedIn and Facebook profiles and adjust how you use them. LinkedIn is
great for professional networking, but most people don’t use it enough;
Facebook is also great for professional networking, but most [young] people don’t
know how to approach it.
In addition, be conscious of (so you can improve) your netiquette
and interpersonal interactions. Learn how to communicate effectively — good
communication will be an asset during your mentor search and throughout your
mentoring relationship.
Step 3. Prospect
DO NOT overlook step 2; potential mentors will notice
your lack of effort in presenting a professional image. While you can polish your image in conjunction
with prospecting, it’s best to get a handle on your image first.Prospect online to discover who you want to seek out in person! |
Unlike job searching where there are many websites and
company pages dedicated to want ads, finding potential mentors is not as
straightforward. Some large corporations, schools, and social organizations
offer mentor programs, but good ones are rare. Doing the footwork yourself is
the best option; all it takes is diligent networking!
Network by following and interacting in groups getting to
know the people in them AND letting them get to know you. Attending networking
events, interacting online, and meeting for one on one networking are great
ways to prospect and work best when you do all three! Try meeting with people
you’re interested in for one on one networking before deciding to officially
move on to the final step. The entire process can be conducted entirely online,
but if you’re able to take your networking offline, seize the opportunity.
It may seem like a lot, but once you get into it, you
might find that you enjoy the process!
Step 4. Ask
Try to have a one on one meeting before you ask someone to
be your mentor and be certain of these 3 things:
1. You’re prepared to discuss your
answers from Step 1
2. You’re comfortable speaking to this
person, and
3. This person is someone you aspire to
be like in some way, shape, or form
Once you’re certain of these things, ASK. If you ask in
person (or over the phone), be prepared to answer any questions upfront. If you
send a message later, schedule a live follow up meeting, in which case, still
be prepared to answer any questions.
Did you find this article helpful? Let us know what you
think in the comments below!
#ShesaBoss and #theGB blog
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