What Qualities of a Good Mentor to Look For
Look for these qualities of a good mentor before choosing one for yourself
Moving forward in your career requires having a strong work ethic, the right professional development opportunities, and helpful career support. You must make a concerted effort to do your best work and achieve positive results in alignment with your job description, which allows you to be considered for raises and promotions. This is all easier said than done.
The reality is that there are so many variables involved in the workplace. Does your manager like you? Do your colleagues contribute their fair share with projects? Are you being overlooked for special opportunities and promotions? Is your current organization the right place to stay for the next five years? For many life science professionals, there comes a point when they realize it would be beneficial to discuss these topics with a mentor.
A mentor is someone who has been in your position before and can provide advice and insight from their point of view. Their knowledge is invaluable because, unlike your family and friends, a mentor has specific experience with your industry, field, and/or what you’re trying to accomplish. Research has shown that mentoring is linked to positive outcomes such as career recognition/success and skill/competence development.* Here are three qualities of a good mentor that you shouldn't miss while evaluating!
Qualities of A Good Mentor to Look For
Strong Connection
Anyone you’re considering must have the qualities of a good mentor and the mentor should be a good communicator. Does this person clearly articulate their thoughts? Do they seem willing to share information with you? There are some people who are highly praised in their organization and industry, but they have difficulty maintaining relationships. You’re looking for someone who replies to your emails or phone calls and is open to getting to know more about you and your goals.
Does your personality seem to pair well with your potential mentor? Before asking a person to mentor you, it’s a good idea to know about their general way of thinking along with past actions. Contrary to what many people believe, you don’t have to think about everything the same way as a mentor. In fact, it’s helpful if there are some differences that allow you to grow and see things from a different point of view.
Respected for their Work
How is your potential mentor viewed by their colleagues, co-workers, and others in their industry? You can find out by observing their interactions at networking meetings and professional association events. Do they hold a leadership position in their company, networking group, or notable organization? Being active in professional associations and holding leadership roles suggest that this person is capable and possesses sound judgment.
Having a mentor that is well respected in your industry can be helpful in many ways. They might have influence in hiring decisions, promotional opportunities, and appointments to non-profit boards. These types of opportunities could help to increase your visibility and credibility in the workplace.
Ideal or Similar Career Path
It’s best if a mentor has similarities in their career that also apply to you, it can possibly be the best qualities of a good mentor. It would be ideal if they had the exact role or job you aspire to have. Conversations about their background could help to give you a blueprint for how to achieve your goals. Are they working in the field, department, or company that you would like to target? If so, they might be a perfect match.
In the event, you don’t locate someone who would be an ideal fit (or you do but there isn’t a good connection with that person), consider potential mentors who aren’t working your dream job but are in your industry. There is still a lot of wisdom and knowledge they could share with you.
When you are considering mentorship, it's important to know how to pick the right mentor. To avoid one-sided relationships that don’t allow you to learn something new, look for the above-mentioned qualities of a good mentor. Such as a mentor who should be well respected in your industry with a similar career path, they would have a lot to teach and could possibly advise you on major decisions. You also want to make sure that you have a good connection with a potential mentor and that your personalities are compatible. Having a mentor for support is priceless because they’ve walked the career path before you, and can let you know about obstacles or challenges along the way to success.
Sources: 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2352144/
Porschia Parker is a Certified Coach, Professional Resume Writer, and Founder of Fly High Coaching. She empowers ambitious professionals to add $10K on average to their salaries.