A few years ago, in the midst of a job search, I created a LinkedIn post asking my network for advice, connections, or opportunities in my industry. It was August 2020, and I, like many others, was feeling discouraged by everything going on.
Fortunately, a friend-of-a-friend reached out to connect me with his aunt, who lived in New York City and also worked in media. Though this new connection didn’t know of any opportunities, she was gracious enough to get on a phone call with me and answer my questions about her career, how she got her start, and how I could adapt to the changing landscape of the job market.
We ended up hitting it off. She went on to assist me with my resume and cover letters, and when I did find myself back in a job, she kept in touch. To this day, we still catch up and fill each other in on the successes and challenges we experience in our careers. Without meaning to, this incredible woman became my mentor.
Mentorship has been Proven to Advance Mentee & Mentor Careers
Like any relationship, mentorships tend to evolve informally. In fact, according to a recent study, 61% of mentorships progress naturally: two colleagues grow close and begin to confide in one another, and almost by accident, form a mentor-mentee relationship. It’s important to view your potential mentor as a person you are trying to get to know on a human level and build a rapport with, not someone who is a gateway to promotions and opportunities.
That’s not to say there aren’t benefits to mentorship. A Gartner and Capital Analytics study, analyzing 1000 employees from Sun Microsystems over 5 years, found that 25% of mentees and 28% of mentors received a salary grade change. In contrast, only 5% of those who did not participate in mentorship had a salary change. In that same study, those who engaged in mentorship had a whopping 21.5% higher retention rate, on average, than those who did not engage.
So how do you seek out a relationship with a mentor that not only feels natural, but is also mutually beneficial? Check out the steps below:
5 Steps To Develop a Successful Mentorship
1. Outline your Professional Goals
Before you pursue a mentor, get very clear on what you want to achieve. Maybe you have a short-term goal like growing your voice within your organization. Perhaps you have more long term ambitions like starting your own business.
Whatever your objectives are, it’s important to get as specific as possible about what you want, so that your mentor will know exactly how to help you. Try outlining your goals according to five categories: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound. Use the acronym SMART to remember this method.
2. Explore your Options
There are many different places to find your perfect mentor match. It’s common to find a trusted mentor in your former or current manager. Others look outside of their organizations, in professional development groups, at networking events, on LinkedIn and other online platforms.
When you evaluate your internal and external options, ensure the potential mentor finds meaning in the professional development of others, has values that align with your own, and thrives in a career that you aspire to have.
While someone 20 years your senior may have the wisdom and experience you’re looking for in a mentor, do not rule out professionals two to six years above you who might be more in touch with your experiences and may have advice more relevant to the next step in your career.
Also, if you’re an underrepresented person in your field, consider an identity-based mentor who understands your reality in a way others may not.
3. Grow Your Relationships
Once you have narrowed down your options or chosen one person who seems like the right fit, get to know the colleague on a deeper level before diving into a mentorship head first.
Asking someone to be your mentor right off the bat can be similar to asking someone to be your boyfriend on the first date. You could scare the person off or if they do happen to agree, you could find out they’re not quite who you thought they were – yikes.
Start with a few casual meetings over coffee, or over Zoom. Be prepared and straightforward about what you want to cover.
Instead of asking, “Do you want to meet for coffee?” ask, “Can I buy you a coffee and ask you a few questions about your career?” Do your research on the person and have questions personal to their experience written down in advance. Show true interest in your mentor’s life, rather than showing interest in what you can gain from them.
You can also show your mentor that you value their input by coming to them with an issue and asking for advice: “Hey, can we jump on a call sometime this week? I’m struggling with a career transition right now and would love your feedback.”
The first few meetings are both about earning your potential mentor’s interest, and at the same time evaluating the fit. Your mentor should be easy to talk to, offer actionable advice, and be able to make time for you every few weeks or months.
4. Create an Elevator Pitch
If your potential mentor is showing up for you consistently and the relationship appears to be fruitful, it’s time to pop the question. Instead of asking out-right, impress your mentor with an elevator pitch:
- Summarize your skills and achievements
- Voice your goals for the future
- Explain what you admire about your mentor’s experiences and how their guidance could benefit both of you
- Come up with ways you can support your mentor in their own endeavors (whether it’s connecting them with people in your network or proofreading documents)
- Share what the time commitment will be
- Express your gratitude for the time they have already committed
- Finally, ask them to be your mentor! And hope they say I do
5. Establish Routine and Structure
Get the most out of mentorship meetings by setting them ahead of time, a few months apart. Handle the details of when and where you’re going to meet and set an agenda with various talking points like current pain points, recent achievements, trending industry topics, upcoming milestones, etcetera.
Although mentorship discussions will be mostly about fostering your own growth, make time to discuss the mentor’s life and career as well – their successes and hardships could be important lessons. Be an active listener, take notes, and follow up with any questions that arise after your conversations.
And most importantly, be open to what your mentor has to say. You never know where their advice could take you next.
Looking for a mentor? Find one by joining the CCWomen community by emailing us at ccwomen@cmpteam.com.
