Finding A Mentor When There Is No Formal Mentoring Programme

Make yourself visible

It is not who you know that counts, but who knows you. You have to make potential mentors aware of your existence. Use friends , colleagues and acquaintances to identify useful networks to join. Make a point of attending social functions, ‘learning breakfasts' and other developmental events.

Show you have ambition and want to improve your abilities

Establishing the seriousness of your ambition to advance is essential. If the opportunity presents itself, get the senior manager involved in recommending training or reading that will help you expand your experience and knowledge.

Ask the potential manager formally , in person, to be your mentor

Most managers will be flattered and respond positively to an approach in person, either agreeing or making helpful suggestions on who else in the company might be more suitable.

In the latter case they will often make introductions or recommendations on your behalf . Even if you simply receive a blunt refusal, you have at least established your credentials as an ambitious employee, willing to learn.

Initial checklist

More generally , especially if you seek a mentor from the wider community, the following checklist may provide some useful starting-points:

1 What do you need a mentor for?

Try to clarify what kind of transition you want to make. Is it to a different job? A different level of competence? A different situation in life?

2 What kind of help do you want?

Do you want someone to be a sounding-board for you, to give encouragement, to provide you with a constructive challenge and expand your horizons, or to ‘look out' for you, identifying opportunities and putting you forward for them? You are less likely to find someone if you are looking for a sponsor or someone to do things for you. People are much more likely to respond to a request for sharing their experience.

3 What sort of person would best be able to help you by giving advice and guidance?

Think about personality, age, experience. Think also about geography - how difficult would it be for the two of you to meet?

4 What could you bring to the relationship?

Is there any area of knowledge or experience you might usefully offer to share with a mentor?

5 Who do you know already?

Is there someone in your workplace, your local community, the church , local clubs, who you admire and feel you could learn from?

6 What networks do you belong to?

Are you a member of a professional association, an alumni club, a chamber of commerce, a sports association or similar organisation? They may already have a mentoring scheme, or be willing to put you in touch with potential mentors on an ad hoc basis.

7 Are there mentor registers you can sign on to?

A variety of organisations - including some TECs, charities and community organisations - provide a matching service for specific categories of people.

8 Can you identify someone you could approach who is very well networked and could refer you either directly to potential mentors or to organisations that can help?

Someone in any of the organisations above might be able to help you in this way. Other useful people to consider approaching include personnel professionals, senior managers, academic tutors, pastors and career consultants .

9 How will you make the approach?

It is often easier when someone else makes the introduction. If you have to take the first steps yourself, however, spend some time rehearsing what you have to say. Be confident - the worst that can happen is that the person says no. In practice, most people are sufficiently flattered and respond very positively to requests that they should become a mentor.