Dear HR Manager from Ready for a Mentor
Dear HR Manager,
I am a few years into my first job and want to find a mentor. How do I find someone who will help me at this stage of my career?
– Ready for a Mentor
Dear Ready for a Mentor,
Mentorship has evolved. Today, instead of one life-long mentor, savvy employees are creating a network of informal relationships with individuals from a range of experience levels. This strategy enables them to build a team of qualified mentors to support their professional growth.
Keep these tips in mind to develop successful mentoring relationships.
Identify your short- and long-term goals.
Clarifying your objectives will be the road map to finding mentor relationships. For example, do you want to improve your negotiation skills? Look for someone with outstanding sales experience in your network pool.
Give as much as you receive.
Mentorship is a two-way street. Your network will naturally want to help you if you establish a give and take relationship. Create new connections internally at work by looking for opportunities to help. After an impromptu mentor meeting, ask how you can return the favor.
Show up with an agenda.
Mentor relationships are most successful when they are development oriented and tied to professional goals. Make the most of your time together by outlining specific questions ahead of scheduled meetings.
Building your mentor network now will benefit your career in the long run.
– HR Manager
Originally featured in UBA’s May 2023 HR Elements Newsletter.
