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5 Steps to Find the Right Mentor
Finding any mentor let alone finding the right mentor is a daunting task. There are so many uncertainties and also questions that often race through your mind when finding a mentor. Here are 5 steps to help you find the right mentor:
- First, ask yourself what are your current life goals? Why have you signed up for 1-1 mentoring? Where do you want to be in 6 months or 1 year down the road? Some healthy self-reflection can help you determine an ideal mentor for you.
- Second, start brainstorming what does your ideal mentor looks like? What kind of mentor are you looking for? Are you looking for someone with a certain life experience? Are you looking for someone with certain passions or interests? Once you have an idea about what the right mentor could look like then you can go about looking for that mentor.
- Third, what is the best way of finding the right mentor? Perhaps, you can start by asking your network of friends and family for a recommendation of someone that fits your criteria above? Or try an app/tool like Restvo which is dedicated to helping people find mentors? A personal recommendation is helpful but unfortunately, not all of us have a large enough network to find the right mentor. This is where an app like Restvo comes in.
- Fourth, now you can begin the process of matching and finding the right mentor. Remember your goals and your ideal mentor profile but also be willing to expand your original conception of an “ideal mentor”. Some of the best mentors can be those you least expected to be a great mentor. Make a checklist of the “must-have” qualities in a mentor vs. the “nice-to-have” bonus points.
- Fifth, as you begin introducing yourself to possible mentors, try to stand out from other candidates. Remember, a great mentor most likely has multiple people asking him/her if they are available to mentor. Share a story about why you would like to be mentored by that mentor and give some key reasons why you think that mentor is a great fit for you. As Will Rogers once said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
Last but not least, being mentored is not always easy but it is almost always worthwhile. Finding the right mentor can lead to personal growth and new opportunities. In addition, a Restvo mentor often becomes a life-long mentor and friend that will help support you even in your times of greatest need.