Do I Need a Mentor?

If you’ve ever wondered “Do I need a mentor?” you’ve already taken your first step towards career growth.

However, finding a timely answer to this question can be challenging and it’s perfectly normal to question whether a mentor would be right for you. Let’s explore some of the reasons you might need a mentor to give your career an extra boost.

Who Needs a Mentor?

At any stage in your career, the right mentor can add value and make a remarkable difference to your career trajectory and personal growth. Here are some definitive signs you need a mentor’s support to move your career forward:

1. Feeling stuck in a job

Are you feeling trapped in your current job? This might indicate that you need guidance in moving on from your current job or career. If you’re experiencing lower productivity, stagnation or constant boredom, seeking advice and tips from an experienced professional could help you get out of the rut and move forward with your career path.

2. Unclear career goals

Lacking clarity in your career goals is another sign that indicates you may need a mentor. As a professional, having your career plan in place is essential. If you’re confused about your next step, you’d benefit from guidance from someone who’s already walked your chosen career path.

3. Skills gaps

If you feel your existing skills need updating to match the in-demand skills in your industry, consider finding a mentor. A mentor can help you understand the gaps in your skills, work with you to draw up an action plan and provide support and guidance to help you stay competitive in the job market.

4. Ineffective networking strategy

Networking is a core aspect of modern-day job search. If your networking strategy isn’t as effective as you’d like, it’s worth finding a mentor. They can help you build confidence and give you tips on how to network effectively. If you’ve met someone at a networking event and admire their networking technique, you might even consider asking them to be your mentor.

5. Feeling alone or inadequate

In today’s corporate rat race, it can be difficult not to feel alone or inadequate. If you feel that you’re not reaching where you want to be, talking to someone who has been in your shoes before might help you broaden your perspective and set goals aligned with your needs and well-being.

6. Needing help with interview preparation

If you’re feeling nervous or unprepared when facing job interviews, seeking a mentor could give you the boost you need. A mentor can provide valuable insights, share interview tips, conduct mock interviews and help you build confidence, increasing your chances of landing the job you desire.

Do I Need a Mentor to Be Successful?

The simplest answer to this question would be ‘NO’. But can mentors accelerate your growth and success? Absolutely, yes! Mentors can provide expert support through knowledge sharing, skills development and much more.

There are several examples from recent and even ancient history that prove mentoring can be a game-changer.

Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and Alexander the Great

Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and Alexander the Great are famous names you’ve probably heard of. What’s fascinating is that they were all connected through mentorship.

Socrates was like a teacher to Plato, showing him how to use dialogue and questioning to explore important ideas like ethics and morality. Thanks to this guidance, Plato went on to write well-known works such as ‘Republic’ and ‘Laws’.

Plato then started his own school, and Aristotle was his star pupil for 20 years. Thanks to Plato, Aristotle learned all sorts, from maths to ethics. This knowledge helped shape Western logic. All great minds need a mentor.

Aristotle didn’t stop there. He became a mentor to none other than Alexander the Great himself. He taught Alexander about leadership, philosophy, thinking critically, and empathising with others. So, you see, mentoring has a rich history with these famous figures!

Viola Davis and Meryl Streep

Having worked together on the 2008 film Doubt, the two actors have since become friends, with Davis classing Streep as a mentor. Streep has provided Davis with advice about her career, life and lessons in confidence – a great example of women empowering women.

However, Davis has admitted that she was too shy to tell Streep of her admiration when they first worked together, telling the New York Times that their first meeting was “Absolutely terrifying, but not because of anything that she was projecting. She could not be any less intimidating.”

Overcome your own anxiety around asking someone to be your mentor and go for it – brilliant things could be about to happen.

Sir Freddie Laker and Sir Richard Branson

In the 1970s, Sir Freddie Laker pioneered an innovative concept: affordable transatlantic flights via Laker Airways. This vision sought to democratise air travel. Meanwhile, a budding entrepreneur, Richard Branson, was considering venturing into aviation.

Upon meeting, rather than becoming rivals, a mentor-mentee relationship emerged. Laker provided invaluable industry insights to Branson on navigating the complexities of the aviation sector. Branson, drawing from Laker’s wisdom and emphasising affordability and customer experience, successfully launched Virgin Atlantic in 1984.

How To Know If You Need a Mentor

Still wondering if you need a mentor? Here are a few different scenarios below to help you decide if you need a mentor to support your career journey.

1. If you want to develop your soft skills, a mentor can be a great partner to practise your communication, problem solving and interpersonal skills with. They can help you assess your strengths and areas for improvement, as well as providing constructive feedback.

2. If you’re unsure about the next step in your career, a mentor can help. Their knowledge and experience can help you evaluate your goals, interests and career options. Further, a mentor can speed up effective decision-making and improve your critical thinking.

3. If you’re looking for a promotion, having a mentor who’s had the same experience can give you a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with asking for a promotion. You can be better prepared and more confident with their guidance and expertise.

4. If you’re facing a career setback, whether dealing with imposter syndrome, lacking growth opportunities or even experiencing redundancy, a mentor can offer you emotional support, encouragement and guidance to help you get through the challenging times. Their advice and feedback on your job search strategy, CV and networking practices can enhance your career growth.

Find Your Perfect Mentor

Decided you need a mentor who’s as eager about your career success as you are?

Find a mentor with Career Navig8r and boost your career growth. Check out the mentor profiles and find someone who’s succeeded in your chosen career path. Delve deeper into their profiles to explore their experience, expertise and skills to understand how they can add value to your success through mentoring.

Send your chosen mentor a message or book a free discovery call to clear your doubts and, once you’re sure they’re the right mentor for you, go ahead and book a full meeting with them and let them guide you on the path to career success. Start your search for a mentor.