By now you’ve probably heard plenty about the benefits of having a mentor. A mentor can serve as your advisor, your cheerleader, and your doorway to the greater community within your industry.
But finding the right mentor is essential. It’s not just a matter of tracking down the perfect person to help you with your career. You’ll also need to convince them to take you on. Here are a few tips to help you track down the perfect mentor for your career.
Research and Support
Thanks to social media, it’s easier than ever to research professionals in your industry. It may be best to find someone who lives nearby so that you can meet in person occasionally. That narrows it down considerably. Once you’ve found some great mentor candidates, follow them on social media and keep up with their activities. If they’ll be making an appearance locally, you could have the perfect opportunity to make a one-on-one connection.
Know How to Ask
Asking can be one of the biggest challenges. You may assume that people you admire are too busy to help, but that likely isn’t the case at all. The most important thing you can do is be genuine in your request. Get to know the person before you ask. Reference articles they’ve written or speeches they’ve given that you found particularly insightful. Also, start off by asking for a limited amount of time. You may simply request that they review your business plan and give feedback or take a look at your company website.
Let Them Find You
The truth is, often the best mentor-mentee relationships start out when the mentor initiates it. If you put in hours of work and start to generate buzz in your field, you may find a much more experienced person is eager to take you under his or her wing.
Pay for Their Services
Yes, many professionals have limited time. For that reason, some of the best mentors charge for their services. By going with a paid mentor, you’ll be able to access some of the best in the business. Track down one with an expertise in your industry and be specific about the areas of your business where you need help. This will help you get exactly the help you need, reducing your billable hours.
If you’re interested in working with a mentor, it’s important to schedule a quick consultation to make sure it’s the right fit. To set up a free phone consultation, check out my schedule and consulting services here.
