Can Mentors Be References?

Getting that first foot on the job ladder isn’t always easy. You’ve got skills, you might even have the qualifications, but without a strong reference, it can all fall flat.

If only there was someone who could vouch for you? Someone who had excellent, first-hand experience of working with you who could speak to all your strengths?

What you need is a Mentor reference.

Mentors as Job References: How does it work?

Before we talk about Mentor references specifically, let’s take a moment to discuss why companies ask for references in the first place.

A reference serves several purposes. First and foremost, it demonstrates that you’re being honest on your CV. Furthermore, it gives companies a chance to compare your own impression of your professional strengths to that of your employer.

For example, if your CV talks about how excellent your communication skills are, then a good reference that happens to mention how well you handle customer communication can be really valuable. It not only demonstrates that you have the skill but also that you’re good at self-assessment, which speaks to a more mature and employable mindset.

That being said, it’s not always possible or appropriate to get a reference from your previous employer. When applying to work at a bank, a reference from your job pulling pints behind a bar will only get you so far.

A Mentor, on the other hand, is an excellent reference. Even if this is your first job in the field you’re applying for, having a reference from a Mentor who’s already worked in that specific job role says a lot about your character. It demonstrates that you’re the kind of person who’s willing to invest the time and money into being the perfect candidate for a role.

As if that wasn’t already enough, a Mentor can also speak to your skills, your passion, and the areas in which you really excel.

Even if you already have a relevant reference from a previous job role, a Mentor reference can add so much value to your application. It proves that you’re proactive and that you care about being the best employee you can be.

For most companies, training staff is a major investment and one with very little guarantee of return. In today’s career market, job switching is common-place and employers are more reluctant than ever to take on a new member of staff without meaningful evidence that they’re worth the investment.

A mentor reference is the closest thing you can get to solid proof of this and employers will be quick to take note of that.

How Mentors Can Shape Your Professional Career

Of course, it’s more than just that first job role. For many people, mentoring is a second job, meaning that they’re still working their way up the career ladder themselves. In many cases, as a Mentee progresses, so does their Mentor, allowing them to continue their productive relationship for a number of years.

But a job is about more than just the money you earn or the hours you work. A job shapes you, and with each role you work, you invest further in your future. Having a Mentor can really encourage people to build their skills faster, internalising the right lessons and always focusing on the future.

Furthermore, this relationship can go both ways. There’s no better way to reinforce your skills than by teaching. Being a Mentor often pushes people to reconsider their assumptions, adopt new and better ways of doing things, and refine their skills.

In fact, those who work with Mentors often go on to become Mentors themselves. After all, they’ve seen the benefits of the process first hand.

The Power of A Positive Reference

Applying for jobs can feel really disheartening. No matter how much work you put in, no matter how many years you’ve spent becoming the ideal candidate for the role, you never can be certain what will happen. From other prospective candidates to internal sorting systems, there are so many variables, and so many factors outside your control that it’s easy to feel powerless.

A positive reference can change all of that, increasing responses and interest. Before you know it, you’ll be applying to roles far above the pay grade you ever imagined, with the confidence that your application will be meaningfully considered.

At Career Navig8r, there’s a reason we call our Mentors Navig8rs. It’s because we believe that being a Mentor is about more than just passing on skills or giving useful tips and tricks, but about meaningfully guiding someone towards a better career.

Join today and learn just how far you could go with a Mentor showing you the way. And who knows, before too long, perhaps you’ll be a Mentor yourself?