6 Top Steps to Find a Mentor for Career Growth in 2024

According to a CNBC and SurveyMonkey study, 91% of employees with a mentor report being happy with their jobs.

And those who have mentors are five times more likely to be promoted than those without! (Wharton)

I think It's safe to say mentorship is the most holistic pathway to true career success.

Not only because of the above stats. But, because being personally mentored by a senior in your domain is incomparable to doing courses, taking generic advice, or trying to wing it by yourself.✔️

Think about it.

In the business world, Mark Zuckerberg was mentored by Steve Jobs, Elon Musk was mentored by Peter Thiel, and Bill Gates was mentored by Warren Buffett.

Without the support and guidance of their mentors, would these personalities have reached where they are in their careers today? Maybe, but it’s unlikely.

If you’re here, you must also be searching for the right mentor for your career.

Kudos to you for making the effort! 🥂

But what is the right way to find a mentor? Where do you look, and what steps do you take to make the correct choice?

That’s what we’re discussing today.

🎯Here, I will list the ONLY 6 steps you need to take to find a mentor for career growth and expansion.

So, if you have questions like how to get a mentor, or how to find a mentor online, read on.

Try 1:1 career mentorship with a pro from your domain. The first session’s free.

How to Not Find a Mentor?

Before I tell you about how to find a mentor, let’s look at how to not find one, shall we?

Here are 3 common mistakes you’d normally make while finding a mentor. And why they’re ineffective. 

1. Messaging professionals randomly on social media

Imagine you're scrolling through your favourite social media platform, and you come across a professional who seems successful in your desired career. 

It might be tempting to send them a direct message asking for mentorship or guidance. 

However, this approach to finding a career mentor is usually not very effective.

First, many professionals receive a barrage of messages daily. 

Your message may get lost in the shuffle or even go unnoticed. 

When you reach out to someone with no prior connection or context, it can come across as spammy or insincere. 

They might not see you as genuinely interested in learning or growing, but as someone who's just looking for a shortcut.🤷

Besides, there’s only so much one can help you by exchanging messages online. It might not cause a fruitful, long-term relationship.

2. Taking generic advice online

The internet is a vast sea of information, and it's easy to get lost in it.

When seeking career advice, taking a generic, one-size-fits-all approach from online sources can be counterproductive. 

Generic advice doesn't consider your unique situation, goals, or challenges. 

It lacks the personal touch that a mentorship relationship can provide.

And what works for one person might not work for another. 

Applying advice that's not tailored to your specific circumstances can lead to frustration and disappointment. 

It's like trying to solve a puzzle with pieces that don't fit together!

Suggested reading: Tried Online Career Development Courses. What Next?

3. Ignoring domain/profile similarities

Sometimes, the excitement of connecting with a successful professional can blind you to a crucial detail: their background might differ vastly from yours.

It's important to remember that a mentor should ideally have a similar background or experience in your desired field.

If someone has not been in your shoes, they may struggle to provide guidance that's relevant and practical for your specific journey.

When a mentor lacks domain or profile similarities, they might inadvertently offer advice that doesn't apply to your unique career path.

This can lead to confusion and wasted time, as their guidance may not align with your goals or circumstances.

The above 3 methods of finding a career mentor online are often ineffective for various reasons. 

To find a mentor who can truly help you, it's essential to employ more targeted and thoughtful strategies.

The Right Way to Find a Mentor in 2024

If the above techniques can’t work, then what can?

That’s what I’m just about to share!

Below are 6 steps you can follow to ensure you find the best mentor for your long-term career growth.

No matter what your domain/goals are, these steps will 100% help you.

These steps will let you build a more effective mentorship relationship while ensuring your goals and needs are met.

1. Vet your goals and preferences

First, before embarking on your mentorship journey, it's crucial to clearly understand your career goals and personal preferences.

What are you looking to achieve? What type of guidance do you need? 

By defining these goals, you can make it easier to identify how to get a mentor who aligns with your aspirations and values. 

This clarity will guide your search effectively.

👉For example: Imagine you're an aspiring software developer with a passion for artificial intelligence. Your career goal is to work on cutting-edge AI projects. Now, if you aimlessly search for a mentor without a logical goal, you might end up with a mentor who specialises in web development, which might not align with your aspirations.

Vetting your goals and preferences ensures your mentor can guide you effectively towards your specific tech career objectives.

Go here for a free 1:1 career goal-planning session with an industry expert.

2. Choose a professional platform dedicated to mentorship

Today, there are specialised platforms and communities dedicated to mentorship. 

These platforms connect mentors and mentees in a structured environment, ensuring that both parties are there for the same purpose: growth and learning. 

Look for platforms that offer features such as mentor matching, structured programs, and resources to make your mentorship journey more productive.

👉For example: In the tech world, many professionals often prefer dedicated platforms like GitHub or Stack Overflow to seek mentorship and guidance. These platforms provide a focused environment where you can connect with experts, collaborate on coding projects, and get advice tailored to your technical needs.

The importance of this is these platforms are populated by like-minded individuals, fostering a supportive community dedicated to mentorship.

Want to know what can be an even better place to find a mentor online than these tech platforms?

Mentor websites!

Read till the end to know the best mentor website where you can find a mentor for all your career needs. ;) 

3. Look for the exact qualities and skills you want in your mentor

Your personal mentor should possess the qualities and skills that are directly relevant to your career goals.

Don't settle for a career mentor whose experience doesn't align with your ambitions. 

If you're seeking to excel in marketing, for example, you'll want to know how to get a mentor who has a strong marketing background.

Their experience and expertise should closely match your areas of interest to provide valuable guidance.

👉For example: Let's say you're a budding cybersecurity specialist aiming to work in ethical hacking. Choosing a mentor with experience in cybersecurity and ethical hacking is critical. Their guidance on tools, techniques, and best practices specific to this niche field can be invaluable. 

Aligning your personal mentor's expertise with your tech specialisation can help you avoid a mismatch in skills and knowledge.

4. Be straightforward; set the right expectations

Honesty and clear communication are vital when approaching a potential career mentor. 

Don't be afraid to express your expectations, goals, and the support you need. 

Setting these expectations from the start is essential to ensure that both you and your personal mentor are on the same page. 

This transparency creates a sound foundation for a productive mentorship relationship. And that’s how you find a good mentor!

👉For example: Tech professionals understand the importance of clear communication in coding and project development. Likewise, in mentorship, setting expectations is vital. If you want to enhance your programming skills, express that clearly to your potential mentor. 

This ensures that they can tailor their guidance to your coding style, programming language, and problem-solving approach.

5. Talk to them before committing to a long-term mentoring relationship

Before diving into a long-term mentorship commitment, it's a good idea to have an initial conversation with your potential mentor. 

This allows you to assess whether you have good chemistry and if their guidance aligns with your goals. 

You should feel comfortable asking questions, discussing your concerns, and gaining a sense of their mentoring style.

👉To understand better, consider this scenario: You've found a senior software engineer who looks like an ideal mentor on paper. However, after an initial chat, you discover that your communication styles clash, and you have different work philosophies. An upfront conversation can help you identify such misalignments early. 

It's essential to find a mentor whose personality and approach resonate with yours for a productive and harmonious relationship.

6. Prioritise holistic, all-rounded learning

Mentorship isn't just about acquiring specific job-related skills; it should also encompass personal and professional development. 

Find a mentor who can provide holistic guidance, including soft skills, work-life balance, and personal growth. 

Finding a good mentor who understands the bigger picture can help you thrive not only in your career but in life as a whole.

In the ever-developing tech industry, technical skills alone aren't enough. 

Soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability are equally crucial. 

A personal mentor who can guide you not just in coding but also in career development, networking, and personal growth can be a real asset. 

Think of this holistic learning approach as a tech professional's Swiss army knife—versatile and equipped for any situation!

Suggested reading: A Beginners' Guide to Long-term Mentorship at Preplaced

In conclusion, the right way to find a mentor in 2024 is to start by understanding your own goals and preferences, then choose a dedicated mentorship platform, search for mentors with the right qualities, communicate clearly, have initial conversations, and prioritise a well-rounded approach to learning. 

With these steps, you'll be well on your way to building a valuable and enduring mentorship relationship that supports your long-term career growth!

Now, you might ask: Hey Sahil, everything you said sounds well and good but where exactly do I go to find a mentor for myself?

What about those mentor websites you mentioned? Are there any good ones?

You’re just at the right place, my friend!

Find Your Ideal Mentor at Preplaced — the Best Mentor Website

Need a mentor for career growth and end-to-end guidance that you won’t find anywhere else?

Try Preplaced!

What does Preplaced offer?

More generic courses with a certificate as proof of completion and no guarantee/feedback on you getting a job?

No.

At Preplaced, we offer 1:1 100% personalised mentorship. Aka, you pick a real person (someone who’s already living your dream role at your dream company!) and get mentored by them. 

Until you realise your career goals! :D 

Whether you’re a fresher aiming to tackle campus placements, a veteran going for a career change/seeking a hike, or, even if you’re trying to learn a skill from scratch, Preplaced mentorship is for you.

Our mentor website has 300+ pros who can mentor you in just about any field of your preference.

And, 1000s of people choose us every month for job/interview preparation.

It’s because they realise that completing generic courses and watching YouTube videos is not the most efficient way to get you your dream job.

Being mentored personally to achieve YOUR unique goals and dreams is!

We’ve even had people from Tier-3 colleges getting placed in companies like Airbnb, Google, YouTube, Amazon, etc. within just 3 months of mentorship. 

All thanks to their dedication and Preplaced’s hyper-customised 1:1 mentorship.

So, how to find a good mentor for yourself at Preplaced?

It’s easy.

1. You browse through our extensive list of mentors by filtering through domain, company, experience, or even mentorship fees. 

2. You evaluate them based on:

• Necessary skills
• Industry experience
• Shared values and ethics.
• And, any other factors you want to consider.

And then you select a mentor for long-term mentorship!

👉Read more here on how to make the right choice while selecting a Preplaced mentor: How to Choose the Right Mentor at Preplaced?

How to make sure the mentor is the perfect fit for you?

By using trial sessions.

At Preplaced, you can experience trial sessions AT NO COST, to get to know the mentor and their mentoring style.

You can use the trial session to ask questions, talk about your goals and requirements, and decide if the mentor is a good match for you.

👉Read this full guide to know how you can make the most of trial sessions: How to Use a Trial Session to Get Familiar With Your Mentor?

With that, we come to the end of this guide. 

Hope that was insightful, and you got to know how you can find a mentor for career growth in 2024.

Don’t keep your dream job waiting any longer.

Book a trial with your fav mentor today, and experience mentor-led preparation first-hand!

🚀Take me to my mentor.🚀