One of the best ways to grow or learn more about the career you are in is to find someone that has gone before you and gained success at the same goal or job. They have to have the ability to provide valuable advice and encouragement as a mentor. Choosing a mentor is not a difficult task, but it also shouldn’t be something you jump into. When choosing a mentor, you will want to consider a few things to ensure a good fit. Below are 5 things to consider when picking a mentor who is just right for YOU!

 

1. Personality

 

Personality is definitely something to consider when choosing a mentor. If you are an introvert and your prospective mentor is the opposite, you might find yourself uncomfortable. Or, maybe you are looking for someone more extroverted so that you can emulate some of these qualities.   

2. Expectations

You will want to make sure you clearly define what you are looking for in the relationship between you and your mentor. This means you should have an idea of how much time you would like to spend with this person and what activities you would like to do together.

3. Communication

Many people are very successful in their job but might not be able to effectively convey what they have done to get there. You will want to make sure the person you have in mind is able to communicate in a way that is easy for you to understand. You can do this by observing how they interact with other people.

4. Willingness

In order to teach anything as a mentor, that person must be willing to help. Just because someone has found success does not mean they will readily share it with you. Before asking someone to mentor you, get to know them a little bit first. Have lunch with them, and see if they are open to talking about their successes.

5. Values

It’s important to make sure your values line up with the person you are looking toward as a potential mentor. Finding someone with values similar to yours will lead to a better relationship. In order to do this, you must know what your values are. Write your values down and really consider them.