Why Mentorship Matters

Career mentorship isn’t just valuable—it’s essential for both organizational success and employee growth. Yet, finding the right mentor can be challenging. This article offers practical steps to help you identify, approach, and nurture mentor relationships that drive long-term results.

Career mentorship

• Mentorship is accessible to everyone – not just senior professionals or those in formal programs. However, it rarely happens by chance; finding the right fit usually requires proactive effort.
• Start with clarity: Define your career vision and obstacles before seeking guidance. That way, you’re clear on your goals and where a mentor can provide the most value.
• Expand your network: Mentors can come from colleagues, industry contacts, or even outside your organization. A successful relationship starts with the right balance of personality and professional guidance.
• Show gratitude and respect: Express thanks and recognize the time and effort your mentor dedicates to supporting your career growth. Authenticity and appreciation strengthen mentor-mentee relationships.

Mentorship at a glance

Mentorship is proven to boost, confidence, and performance. Harvard Business School research revealed that mentored employees at a U.S. call center outperformed non-mentored workers by 18%. Furthermore, a Kansas State University study underscored that mentoring improves value congruence and organizational knowledge, reducing turnover intentions when programs are well-structured.

4 steps to find and build a strong mentorship

1. Define your career needs

Don’t limit yourself to the skills you still need to learn or the feedback from your last appraisal. Think more broadly about the bigger picture and where you want it to go and what you need to get there.

2. Look beyond formal programs

Even if a formal mentorship program doesn’t exist at your company, there are still other options: consider past and present colleagues, friends, family, and connections from your social and professional networks.

3. Be yourself

When you reach out, be your most authentic self. Explain why you selected them and what you hope to learn. Keep your request simple and be respectful of their time. Gratitude matters; don’t forget to thank them for their guidance and time.

4. Nurture the relationship

Keep your mentorship thriving by staying connected, appreciating the time they give you, giving updates and actually using their advice.

Next steps for your career

Mentorship can accelerate your career, build confidence, and open doors to new opportunities. Upload your resume and let our recruitment experts identify potential obstacles in your career progression, so we can help you navigate your professional journey.