What to Keep In Mind When Choosing a Mentor for Your Career

Finding a mentor can definitely help you advance your career, but there are several important points to keep in mind when choosing a career mentor. Usually people choose a manager, recruiter, or friend, but those choices might not be the best. A manager, for instance, might present a conflict of interest in certain situations, and they probably won’t have the time to help you. A recruiter just won’t do it–a recruiter’s primary concern is to please their clients (the hiring company) and he or she won’t have time, either. A friend might be unable to give you any constructive criticism out of a desire to remain your friend!

Even though it can seem difficult to find a mentor, I can’t emphasize enough how valuable a mentor can be to your career. A mentor in your field has been there, done that, and can help you advance while also keep you from making mistakes. A mentor can see the big picture of your career, but still knows how to coach you through the details. Example: I recently coached someone through the interview process. We worked on his presentation, his answers to interview questions, documents like his 30/60/90-day sales plan and brag book, and his negotiation skills–and he got the job, with a $22,000 base pay increase!

I’m not saying you have to hire me–I primarily help people involved in medical sales, laboratory sales, medical device sales, biotechnology sales, imaging sales, pathology sales, pharmaceutical sales, and other health care sales. As a career coach, I help them move from sales to management, and from other sales areas into health care sales. You should find someone who’s an expert in your field that you’re comfortable working with. Finding a mentor (or hiring one) is an investment in yourself and your career that has the potential for huge dividends. It’s worth it!