How To Find That Key Person Who Can Help You Progress In Your Career

By Lilian Wamaitha
From the moment we are born, we tend to rely on others for guidance. Our parents mostly look out for us, guiding us and protecting us.
But what happens when you leave that family setting and get into a professional one?
Your parents are no longer there to guide you and most of the time will leave you to the guidance of others, probably someone who understands what you do.
And even though you have managed to take the next step in your career, you still need guidance no matter how experienced you are.
For the first time in your life, it will feel like you are all alone
Being new to a career or even a job is not a walk in the park. If you feel like it is overwhelming, you are not alone. Studies have it that a third of new employees tend to quit they jobs within the first six months.
This lack of motivation and dissatisfaction in your job runs across all fields and it can be tied to lack of coaching and feedback.
For a majority of us, accepting a job offer is the first time that we have no one to guide us.
Suddenly there is nobody to give us feedback and assure us that the move we are about to make is the right one. And if you receive feedback, it is only to tell you what you haven’t done correctly.

Why a mentor will help you progress in your career

1. Their expertise is invaluable
Your mentor is the best person because they understand what you do. They might be a few steps ahead of you on the career ladder, or have worked that job longer, but they are aware of internal workings of both your place and employment.
2. They can offer you guidance on skills and knowledge you need to succeed
Most of the problems that arise for someone new at a job come from educational differences and not being knowledge about the company.
Mentors can give guidance on what you need to do to hide such weaknesses.
3. Mentors provide constructive feedback
Your mentor will tell you when you are doing wrong and they will also help you come up with ways to improve. No one likes failure but when you are trying to move along in your career, you are bound to make one or a few mistakes.
The most important thing is learning to from them and making better decisions next time.
As long as we learn from our mistakes, they most of the times act as valuable part of the learning process.
For instance, when I took this job, I made a few mistakes along the way, that at one point I thought I would not last for long, but through guidance and mentorship, I was able to rise above all that and it is those mistakes that I believe have shaped me into who I am today.
4. They can see the big picture
Since they have been around for long, they understand better the state of your company and industry in general. They have survived through the upswings as well as the downturns.
If they are good they will be happy to guide you from making the same mistakes they have made or have seen others make.
You Must See This >>> 3 Reasons You Need A Mentor On Your Job Search

Where to look for a mentor

Finding a good mentor can prove to be a daunting task most of the time, but you are probably surrounded by potential coaches. And since mentoring involves them investing their energy and time on you, they will only be willing to invest these valuable assets if you show promise.
But how do you go about finding someone who can take up that role of mentoring you for success?
1. Voice your thoughts
The first step to finding a mentor is to show that you are invested in the success of the organization. Giving voice to your ideas demonstrates that you take your job seriously.
2. Show your intentions by seeking feedback
Constructive criticism is important for growth. Those ahead of you in experience will take a notice of your desire for improvement only if you ask for feedback. When you think about it, it is also easier to mentor someone who really wants to improve.
3. Take initiative
Going above and beyond your call of duty is one way to show potential mentors that you are motivated. No matter how small you think that task is, execute it to the best of your ability. Don’t just do what is required but go above that.
A mentor wants to see someone who is capable of taking on even more challenging roles and they will not hesitate to help you reach for that.
4. Treat your peers like your mentors
Co-workers who work on the same role as you may have a different approach to it. You can benefit by learning from them and emulating they practices. Even when you don’t adopt the way they do things, just learn the different ways you can approach your work.
5. Observe people in high level positions
Whether or not you get to interact of have someone as a mentor at a later stage in your career, you can still pay attention to what they do. How they speak, dress and interact with others can give you clues that you need to reach their level.
6. Take into account networking events
When you go to professional settings, may be trainings or meetings, don’t be scared to talk to people. You might just find a mentor or the very least learn a little more about the industry.
Finally
Yes, you are new at that job, but don’t allow your insecurities and worries to dim your future. Finding a person, who believes in you and supports you even when you are at your worst, can be the difference between you moving along in the career path you have chosen and starting over. And I can’t tell you how many times I have seen people having to start from scratch just because they were not guided.
Lilian is a Communication Officer at Career Point Kenya. Got any other career related issues? Leave a comment below.