Looking for a mentor? Here are the top 9 things you should look for when finding your perfect mentor. Read on to know more. In a world where information is available on your fingertips, why exactly would you need a mentor? If you have a question, why can’t you just Google it? After all, the internet does have ALL the answers! A mentor is a crucial part of your life and here’s why – they can go beyond the words provided to you by a machine algorithm. Like Dumbledore to Harry, Krishna to Arjuna, or Mr. Miyagi to Daniel LaRusso – the relationship you share with your mentor is irreplaceable.

Why have a mentor

The right mentor helps in holistic development and gives direction to each aspect of your life. Mentors help you set up for success by providing the perfect nuggets of knowledge at the correct time. From specific academic questions to the more meandering philosophical ones, mentors are your guiding light through confusions, doubts, and conundrums. Imagine a situation where you are in between two academic streams and wondering which one to go ahead with for better opportunities. A mentor can help you decide the right path by asking the right questions and listing down points that will help you decide the right path.

A mentor can help you get organized, set goals, learn a specific type of skill, and improve your interpersonal relationships. Mentors can help achieve SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-sensitive goals.

But before you pick a mentor, it’s a good idea to have a firm understanding of what your goals are. You need to know what you want out of mentorship. The more clarity you have in your questions, the easier it will be for your mentor to answer you. What exactly should you look for in a mentor?

Signs of a good mentor

1. Willingness to share

A good mentor is willing to teach, share and express their skills, experiences, and expertise. Good mentors remember what it was like to be an amateur and can guide you accordingly. Mentors are devoted to using their personal experiences as a tool for their mentee’s learning.

2. Mutual respect and trust

It’s important to share respect and admiration. The mentee must have the mindset to want to learn and the mentor must be enthusiastic about the relationship. The communication must be open, non-judgmental, and fair. It is important to share similar values so that you can work together towards a common goal. The trust shared between the mentee and the mentor unlocks the potential for a real and unflinching relationship.  This trust makes it easier to have difficult conversations, accept vulnerabilities, and share secrets. Trusting someone enough to share personal details takes time and kindness from everyone involved. The aim is to build a relationship that’s open, respectful, and trustworthy.

3. Acts as the wind beneath your wings

A good mentor is a great support system. They stand like a pillar of strength behind their mentee. Unwavering support and trust are a mutual base of this relationship. Support may not always be loud and boisterous. It is a mentor’s responsibility to understand the kind of support required and provide it to their mentee. Be is scholarship information, teachings, or moral support – good mentors have an uncanny knack for being there in the best possible way.

4. Identifies your needs and strengths

Everyone has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. A good mentor understands this and works to learn what makes their mentee tick. While you likely have an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, it’s always helpful to hear what someone else thinks.

5. Provides constructive feedback

A competent mentor has outstanding communication skills and can tailor their communication to the mentee’s personality style. A competent mentor will also set challenges for the mentee, which will stimulate professional development and a sense of achievement in mastering the industry.

6. Expresses Empathy

Empathy is vital in all working relationships, but it is essential to mentoring. Mentors with high emotional intelligence pay attention to you and your problems. They recognize that their mentees are humans and will make errors. And they make you feel at ease while discussing both the positive and negative things you’re experiencing. That is why it is ideal to seek a mentor who recognizes that life happens, people become sick, and priorities shift. They should be willing to adapt to changes in your ideals and goals with compassion.

7. Listens and Reflects

Handing out advice is easy. But it takes skill and tact to know when the advice is falling on deaf ears. Great mentors recognize the value of active listening and thoughtful guidance. They ask probing questions to ascertain all aspects of an issue before making recommendations. Sometimes they just listen. Mentors who can listen and reflect on the information they are provided have a better understanding of you as a person. Because they are aware of your personal background and situation, their recommendations are better tailored for your growth and success.

8. Networking

A good mentor has spent years building strong relationships with people, and they are eager to include you in their inner circle. They can help broaden your network and open doors to opportunities you would not have otherwise had. They must have the time to “network” with you as well! A good mentor should be accessible over a call, a meaningful email, or a quick coffee.

Find your perfect mentor with iGuroo

Enhance your personal quest towards progress by picking a mentor with iGuroo. We offer self-paced, one-on-one mentoring by experts.  We have a network of qualified and experienced mentors to find one that fits your needs perfectly. If you want to get future-ready and make informed choices toward building a fulfilling and rewarding career, you are at the right place! Schedule your first interactive session today.