Assess your strengths and weaknesses Help you understand the structure and organization of the topic Introduce new perspectives and correct any wrong thinking Boost your ability to make decisions Familiarize you with the tricks of the trade Introduce you to important resources and useful references
Professors, instructors, and other faculty Older or more experienced students Siblings or other family members
Coaches and assistants Experienced players on your team or other teams Professional athletes or retired athletes Trainers
Colleagues and business acquaintances An old boss, though not a current supervisor Workers with a great reputation
A neighbor Your favorite bartender or barista Your personal style icon Someone you go to church with Your record store guy or girl A member of a social club you’re a part of
Successful people you may have read about and felt some connection to People with a considerable and approachable Internet presence Anyone who fits any of the criteria for a mentor, but you don’t know personally yet
What would you like to learn? What are you looking for from your mentor? How will the mentorship “look”? How often would you like to meet? Where?
Look for the “total package. " If you admire someone’s business acumen but can’t stand them as a person, they won’t make a good mentor. Aim high. The rich and famous have personal assistants who learn from them and make connections based on that relationship. Why not you? If Donald Trump would be your ideal business mentor, put him at the top of the list. Write his office a letter, try to schedule a meeting, or apply to be on The Apprentice. Check if your company or school has a formal mentoring program that would line up a mentor for you. If so, see if it fulfills your goals and enroll in the program.
Use “mentor” as a verb more than a noun. Saying “I could use some mentoring in figuring out how to get my sales up next quarter. You seem to have it together, Bob. You mind getting some drinks about talking about it now and then?” is more attractive for your potential mentor than, “I need you as a mentor. I have to improve my sales. Help. " Make sure you don’t give someone the wrong impression. If the salesperson you admire is of the opposite sex, this could sound a lot like asking for a date. Keep it at the office or on campus if you’re concerned about making it sound that way.
If you don’t get anyone the first go-around, don’t worry. It may have nothing to do with you and more to do with the person’s schedule or other issues. Start again and consider possible mentors who’ve got more time on their hands, or who may be more willing to work with you.
If the first meeting goes well, plan subsequent meetings. You might consider asking at that point, “Mind if we make this a regular thing?”
If the relationship reaches a natural conclusion, it’s ok to end it. If you feel confident that you’ve improved enough in whatever skill you were hoping to learn from your mentor that you feel confident to go forth without weekly coffee meetings, say so.
As you improve in your career, remember who and what got you there. As opportunities arise, don’t forget about your mentors that helped you along the way.
Be specific. Just saying, “Thanks, you’re being so helpful!” isn’t as reassuring as, “I nailed that last sale thanks to your opening line tips. Thanks!” Gratitude could include a small gift as a “thank you” token. Small things like a book, a bottle of wine, or the occasional meal may be appropriate.
For example, in addition to learning about their professional background, you might take time to ask them about their interests at the end of your meeting. Connecting on a common interest may even be one way to establish a greater connection with your mentor overall, but even if you are unable to find common interests, asking them casually about theirs can establish a stronger bond between you without crossing the line into anything too personal. [5] X Research source
