A mentor is someone that provides you with guidance, support, and the feedback you need to succeed in your career. Normally this person has gone down the same career path or route that you are currently on and is there to advise you and point you in the right direction. If you have any questions, they will be there to answer them for you.
Here are some qualities a good mentor should have:
Willingness to share their skills and knowledge:
A good mentor will teach and share what they know and accept the mentee where they currently are in their professional development. The mentor will know that it takes time and commitment and is continually willing to share information and support them when they need it.
Provides guidance and feedback:
This is how the mentee will most likely grow, by receiving constructive feedback and being shown how to identify their current strengths and weaknesses and learn how to use these to make themselves successful. As well as this, mentors provide challenges for them along the way and when they overcome these the mentee will feel a sense of accomplishment.
Listens and shows empathy:
This is a very important quality a mentor should have; they may have all the answers in their head but if they do not listen to their mentees, then they won’t be able to help them towards the right direction they want to go in. A good mentor won’t have any distractions when being spoken too, and they will ask questions such as what you’re doing and how you’re going to progress.
Although it may seem stressful picking a mentor, it is not as complicated as you may think. If you find one that fits you, they might be able to change your career!
It is important to listen to them for guidance and encouragement… but make sure to always do what feels right for you.