StormStaff

Whether you’re a recent college grad who just entered the working world or a seasoned professional at management level, utilizing a career mentor can be beneficial to you at all stages.

Take a moment and consider what you would want out of a relationship with your mentor. Your needs may vary depending on your career level. Some individuals need guidance on handling new professional experiences, others may need help reflecting on previous work and getting to the next level. You may also want to think about the types of skills your mentor can help you develop.

When choosing a mentor, there are several other considerations you can take into account:

-          Someone who has had similar goals to your own.

-          Have they had a career path similar to the one you desire?

-          Try to find someone you admire and respect.

-          Do they have time available to put towards this relationship?

-          Find someone who is compatible with your personality.

Career mentors can help you develop or improve upon your career plan, grow your skills for success and work with you to answer career and workplace questions that may come up along the way.

There are several other benefits to having a mentor, including:

-          Helping you develop a strategy, identify your goals and figure out the best way to reach them.

-          Offering guidance to lead you in the right direction and keep you on track with the goals you have set out.

-          Helping you reflect and discover what you want out of your career to get you to the next level.

A great article in Women media gives a brief breakdown of the levels of mentorship and the attributes and experience you need from a mentor at each stage of your career. While the examples are within an organization, they can also be used for meeting mentors outside of employment as well:

Early Career Mentoring
What you need in a mentor:
You need exposure to key players (can be within the organization if you are employed), advice on your business strategy, functional skills required for the future, and feedback on your personal style and communication.

What to look for in a mentor:
Look for a senior person (in the organization if you are employed) with successful job/career experience, excellent leadership skills and an effective communication style. He or she should be accessible and known for supporting younger professionals.

Manager Level Mentoring
What you need from a mentor:
You need opportunities for growth and exposure through projects, initiatives or consideration for open positions, increased understanding of company culture (in the organization if you are employed), and the political skills and key relationships required to advance.

What to look for in a mentor:
Look for a senior executive who is supportive of other key managers, well-respected, gives others the opportunity to learn and is known to be politically astute.

Officer Level Mentoring
What you need from a mentor:
You need visibility at the top of the organization (if employed together), and help with style issues that may be interfering with your success.

What to look for in a mentor:
Look for a senior executive who champions people, has the ear of the CEO within the company (if you are employed together) or who may know several executives at that level in other organizations, who will be direct and honest, and who manages an important strategic business area.

Top Executive Level Mentoring
What you need from a mentor:
You need high-level support, good peer relationships, a person on the same wavelength as the CEO and aware of your successes and accomplishments.

What to look for in a mentor:
Look for a senior decision-maker who has a history of supporting the careers of key executives.

Remember, this is a commitment not only on your part but for your career mentor as well. Let them know you are serious and appreciate their efforts. The relationship you share with your mentor should be one of openness, introspection, accountability and sharing successes and failures alike. If you get the most out of the mentoring process, it will be a mutually beneficial experience for both of you.