Previously, 60% of our audience said they did not have a mentor in their career, but everyone can use a mentor in their career, whether you are just starting or you are at the executive level.
A great tip on finding a mentor is to ask a lot of questions to different types of people and see who is willing and able to answer your questions. From there, see if you are able to find a mentor that can fit into one of these three categories.
1. Someone who is close to your age and ideally works the same job as you
The benefit of having a mentor who is close to your age and working in a similar position as you, whether it’s the same level or the exact same role at another property is having someone you can really relate to.
They will understand how you feel and can likely share advice on how to handle specific work situations because they’ve probably dealt with it themselves. It’s also great for each other’s mental health because you can talk to each other without feeling judged or it could impact a review or chance to advance in your career.
How can you meet this type of mentor? You may be lucky enough to have a coworker that answers all of your questions and has helped you learn the ins and outs of your position and the organization. If you are a front desk agent, this may be another front desk agent who works a different shift, or maybe someone who switched over to food and beverage but worked as a front desk agent for a while.
Linkedin or social media groups for hospitality professionals are also great place to “meet” people. You can do a quick search for someone who is in a similar role as yours and send them a friendly message to start a conversation. Remember though, never start your conversation by asking them to be your mentor. Get to know them a bit first, and make sure you also bring something to the relationship.
2. Someone who is your senior but does not sign your checks
This is a person who has “been there, done that” but they also won’t judge you. They can offer great insights on handling any and every situation you can run into, how to advance your career path, interview tips, and tricks, and also lend a critical eye to your resume when needed.
How can you meet this type of mentor? Ask your boss to introduce you to make an introduction for you. They will likely have a relationship with another manager on the property and can put in a good word for you. You can also introduce yourself to someone at work or send them a quick email to connect if you feel comfortable.
3. Someone who is a lot more senior and can mention your name for a promotion, position, or project
This type of mentor is generally called a stretch mentor. This can be someone in your current organization or another hospitality company that can help you advance your career. If you are in an entry or mid-level position, look for someone who is part of the leadership team, or even possibly a board member. They can vouch for your performance if a position becomes available that you would be a good fit for, or a project the company wants to kick off that would match your skill set.
Those in executive positions are part of important conversations early on, and having a person who can mention your name immediately can make a huge difference in the opportunities you get and the progress you can make in your career.
How can you meet this type of mentor? Try attending some of your company’s events, or see if there are any networking events happening in your area. Although conferences and/or events can be pricey, they can be worth the investment for the number of people that will be attending and the various roles you can get connections to.
An important reminder though is that mentorship is a two-way street, not just a transactional relationship. Take the time to think through what you can bring to each relationship, and genuinely develop the connection.