{"id":228,"date":"2014-01-20T20:16:20","date_gmt":"2014-01-20T20:16:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/scqa.hult.edu\/en\/news\/hult-labs\/2014\/january\/how-to-look-for-a-mentor\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T14:15:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T14:15:58","slug":"how-to-look-for-a-mentor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hult.edu\/blog\/how-to-look-for-a-mentor\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Look for a Mentor"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you really need help with a career-related matter, what do you do? Do you reach out to friends and keep your fingers crossed one of them comes through with good advice? Do you ask the Magic 8 Ball app on your phone? Or, do you let it all out to a trusty, canine pal and look for clues about what action to take based on the number of tail wags?<\/p>\n

In a situation like this, it can help to have a mentor. If you\u2019ve got one\u2014that\u2019s great. If you don\u2019t, your question may be: how do I get one?<\/p>\n

Before you head out on a hunt for a mentor, know this: if you\u2019re going to do it right, it takes some work. But so do most things in life worth having, right? All the effort you put in will pay off in the end if you break the process down into three steps\u2014and do your homework for each one.<\/p>\n

The first step, according to the article \u201cHow to Find a Business Mentor<\/a>,\u201d is to be very clear of what you need from a mentor\u2014do you need help with a particular project or advice on how to advance your career? Do you need to meet once a week or once a month? Know your \u201cmust-haves\u201d versus qualities that are a \u201cbonus\u201d or good to have. Just like looking for a job that\u2019s a good fit, you and your mentor will be the right fit if you share some compatibilities. But don\u2019t forget personality; if you need someone who doesn\u2019t pull any punches, and will hand you feedback that\u2019s brutally honest, then someone who takes a more diplomatic approach may frustrate more than help you. Don\u2019t shortchange yourself by taking shortcuts with this step.<\/p>\n

The second step, as outlined in the article, is to conduct informational interviews with the various candidates you are considering. There\u2019s no need to inform them right away that they are gunning for the role of your mentor right away<\/em>; have a meeting to determine if there\u2019s potential for a mentoring relationship. This is an especially important step when you are considering a mentor who is outside your trusty sphere of family and friends. A good tip to keep in mind once you\u2019ve completed this process, according to Lois Zachary, the president of Leadership Development Services in Phoenix is this: \u201cGo back to your criteria, that way you don’t get blown away by chemistry and you stay focused on your business or personal reasons for wanting a mentor.\u201d<\/p>\n

But what if you can\u2019t decide on just one person? The good news is that you don\u2019t have to\u2014you can have more than one mentor. If you discover that you like having multiple perspectives, then allow yourself the option to reach out to a couple of different people in your network. This is where \u201creverse mentoring<\/a>\u201d may be a good concept to keep in mind. Made popular by Jack Welch, the idea centers on the fact that \u201colder\u201d professionals can sometimes benefit from younger professionals when it comes to learning new trends, gaining fresh perspectives, and learning how emerging technologies are changing the business world. No need to limit yourself to a specific age group.<\/p>\n

What if you\u2019ve identified someone who you think would make a great mentor, but you\u2019re afraid to ask? Consider a quote from the article. Martin Lehman, a volunteer mentor with the Service Corps of Retired Executives Association (SCORE), which offers mentoring services to business owners across the United States had this to say: \u201cThere’s no question, I’m learning every day [as a mentor]. That’s why we do this. Also, it keeps the brain going.\u201d<\/p>\n

In \u201cFinding the Right Mentor for You<\/a>,\u201d Kathy Kram, professor of organizational behavior at Boston University, echoes Lehman\u2019s sentiment: \u201cIn today’s context, mentors learn new skills and competency themselves [\u2026] It’s a chance to revitalize their own learning.” In other words, it\u2019s a two-way street; your mentor might even thank you<\/em> one day.<\/p>\n

Francis Flynn, a professor of organizational behavior at the Stanford School of Business has studied why people are driven to help others, and what psychologists call \u201cprosocial behavior.\u201d In his article \u201cAsk and Your Likely to Get Help<\/a>\u201d Flynn writes: \u201cNew research verifies the old adage, \u2018Ask and you shall receive.\u2019 [People] tend to grossly underestimate how likely others are to agree to requests for assistance [\u2026] Our research should encourage people to ask for help and not assume that others are disinclined to comply.\u201d Flynn and his team of researchers believe that most askers fail to consider their request from the point of view of the \u201cpotential helper,\u201d who most of the time is ready and willing to lend a hand\u2014especially when it comes to sharing lessons from the school of hard knocks.<\/p>\n

Tuck Flynn\u2019s research-based tidbit in your back pocket, along with a few other tips to keep in mind as you head on your quest to find a mentor (or two): don\u2019t monopolize conversations, prepare thoughtful questions, listen attentively, write thank you notes, and most of all, be especially considerate of their time. Happy hunting!<\/p>\n

Hult offers a range of highly skills-focused and employability-driven business school programs<\/a> including a range of MBA options and a comprehensive one year Masters in International Business<\/a>. To find out more, take a look at our blog How volunteering prepared me for business school<\/a>. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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