Supermentor! How To Become a Career Hero

A playful illustration of becoming a career mentor

Are you an experienced professional with years under your belt? Are you passionate about helping others to find jobs in your field? If so, then you might just have the makings of a career hero!

Here at Career Navig8r, we believe that there’s something truly inspiring about people sharing their knowledge and experience. Becoming a mentor can be amazingly fulfilling, as you see the lessons you teach help to change someone’s life.

That said, there can also be a learning curve. Although you’re an expert in what you do, communicating that to others isn’t always easy, even for those who are experienced in training. Fortunately, there are a few simple techniques you can use to become a master mentor practically overnight and that’s what we’re here to talk about today.

Finding Your Super Powers

Good mentoring is all about knowing how to play to your strengths. After all, you’re literally teaching from experience so it’s good to lean into the skills that that experience has taught you.

If you’re a great public speaker with lots of charisma and energy then don’t be afraid to bring that same persona into your calls, enthusing your mentees. If your skills run more towards the organisational, then there’s no reason not to rely on your notes.

The only thing to watch out for is to make sure your style doesn’t conflict with the needs of your mentee.

Superhero mentor illustration

In most cases you’ll need to adapt somewhat to match their needs but if you find you’re just not a good fit for a mentee then don’t be afraid to say so.

Turning down work can feel daunting at first but in the long run, taking the time to find mentees who are the right fit for you is a better strategy than trying to work with someone who isn’t. Ultimately, you’ll just end up banging your head against the wall.

While it’s good to have a broad set of teaching skills, there’s nothing wrong with having a style of your own.

Being A Role Model

When people hire a mentor they’re often looking for several things. On the one hand, they want someone who can guide them and help them refine their skills, ultimately leading towards a career. On the other, they want someone who can confirm that what they’re doing is ‘right’, taking away much of the anxiety and imposter syndrome that comes with being a beginner.

Put simply, a large part of being a mentor is just about being a role model. It’s about showing not only how to do something but simply that it can be done with enough hard work and dedication. Keep in mind that a career can take a long time to build and that can be a very disheartening feeling. In some ways, you might even say a mentor is as much a cheerleader as they are a teacher.

If that sounds difficult, then don’t worry. All you have to do is show them how you did it. While you’re at it, you’ll have the opportunity to influence someone who’s new to the field, teaching them about best practices and channelling their enthusiasm into achieving excellence.

When all’s said and done, the only mistake you can make when being a role model for your career is allowing anxiety to get in the way of being yourself. Your mentee chose you because they were inspired to follow in your footsteps so don’t be afraid to keep walking in the same direction.

Saving The Day

Every good hero has their chance to save the day and as a mentor, you’ll probably have more than a few. Whether that’s showing someone the path to a career they’ve always dreamed of or just helping them to iron out a few kinks in their CV, it’s truly incredible what a difference even the smallest actions can make when they come from a voice of experience.

At the end of the day, being a mentor is an amazing and fulfilling opportunity. Whether it’s your path to retirement, a part time side hustle, or your new full time career, there are few jobs that can offer so many chances to help others find their place in the world.

If you’re ready to become a career hero, then all you need to do is sign up today with Career Navig8r. By joining our platform, you’ll be giving people the opportunity to learn directly from you. You’ll be able to work from the comfort of your own home, while setting both your hours and your rates. And unlike most superheroes, you won’t need a secret identity, because your super powers come from who you are!

Signing up is quick, easy, and completely free, so why not give it a try? It could be your chance to make a real difference!

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