The workplace is changing. With the rise of the digital age, more and more people are working remotely. And while this has its perks, it can also be isolating. One of the best ways to combat this isolation is to find a mentor. A mentor can help you with your career, give you advice, and be a sounding board for your ideas. But how do you find a mentor when you’re not in the same physical space? Here are five practical tips to help you find a mentor in a remote workplace.
1. Join an Online Community or Forum Related to Your Field
There are many online communities and forums related to various fields that can be useful for finding mentors. Joining one or more of these can help you connect with potential mentors who can offer advice and guidance on your career.
When looking for a community or forum to join, try to find one that is specific to your field or area of interest. This will help you ensure that the advice and guidance you receive are relevant to your career goals. Additionally, try to find a community or forum that is active and has a large number of members. This will give you a greater chance of finding a mentor who is a good fit for you.
Once you have joined a community or forum, take some time to introduce yourself and get to know the other members. Participate in discussions and ask questions when you need advice. When you build up a rapport with other members, you may be able to request mentorship from someone who you trust and respect.
2. Attend Online Events and Webinars
If you’re looking for a mentor in a remote workplace, one of the best things you can do is attend online events and webinars. This will allow you to hear from experienced professionals in your field, and learn about the challenges and successes they’ve had in their careers.
There are many great online events and webinars to choose from, so it’s important to find ones that are relevant to your interests and career goals. Once you’ve found a few that look promising, make sure to register early and participate actively during the event. Ask questions, take notes, and follow up with the speakers afterward to continue the conversation.
By attending online events and webinars, you’ll not only gain valuable insights from mentors in your field but also make valuable connections that could lead to future opportunities. So don’t miss out – start searching for upcoming events today!
3. Use Social Media
The best way to find a mentor is to use social media. Many online platforms can help you connect with potential mentors, such as LinkedIn and Twitter. If you are a subject matter expert, you can also create and edit videos and publish them on YouTube. This is one way of connecting with fellow SMEs. Once you’ve found a few people who seem like they could be good mentors, reach out to them and start a conversation.
When you’re talking to someone who could be a mentor, be sure to let them know what you’re looking for in a mentorship relationship. Be specific about what kinds of advice and guidance you need. Mentors are more likely to be willing to help if they know exactly what you want from them.
Finally, don’t forget to follow up after your initial conversations with potential mentors. Keep the lines of communication open so you can continue building your relationship and getting the most out of your mentorship.
4. Connect With People you Know
One of the best ways to find a mentor is to connect with people you know. Utilize your professional and personal networks to reach out to potential mentors.
When reaching out to potential mentors, be specific about what you are looking for and what you hope to gain from the relationship. Be sure to also express your willingness to contribute to the mentorship relationship, and be open to meeting virtually or in person if possible.
Once you’ve connected with some potential mentors, it’s important to start building a relationship with them. Get to know them by asking about their work experiences and career advice. If they’re willing to mentor you, be sure to follow up regularly and show your appreciation for their time and guidance. A mentorship relationship can be extremely beneficial, so treat it with care and respect.
5. Read Blogs and Articles Written by Thought Leaders in Your Industry
There are several different ways that you can find blogs and articles written by thought leaders in your industry. One way is to use a search engine such as Google and type in your industry + ‘thought leader’ or ‘blog’. This should give you a good list of sources.
Another way to find thought leaders in your industry is to look at the by-lines in magazines or online publications that you read regularly. If there is someone whose writing you admire, chances are they have a blog or website where you can read more of their work.
Once you have a list of potential sources, take some time to read through their content and see if their perspective aligns with your own. If it does, then they may be a good mentor for you. If not, keep looking until you find someone you feel confident in following.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to finding a mentor in a remote workplace, sometimes the best option is simply to ask around. If you’re looking for someone who can share their experience and advice with you, there’s no better way to find that person than to reach out to your fellow professionals and ask for help. Keep these five practical tips in mind when seeking mentorship and you’ll be successful in finding the perfect role model for your career path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the role of a mentor?
Ans. A mentor is someone who shares his or her experience and knowledge and provides guidance and support for the growth and development of the mentee.
Q2. What are the 3 types of mentoring?
Ans. The three types of mentoring are:
Traditional one-on-one mentoring
Distance mentoring
Group mentoring
Q3. What are the four pillars of mentoring?
Ans. The four pillars of mentoring are respect, expectation, trust, and communication.
This article is written by Maira Xandros.
Maira is a freelance writer who works with creative brands and B2B companies to support their content writing efforts and SEO strategy, and has writing expertise in digital marketing and branding. Connect with her on LinkedIn or Twitter.
Gabby Davis
Gabby Davis is the Lead Trainer for the US Division of the Customer Experience Team. She develops and implements processes and collaterals related to the client onboarding experience and guides clients across all tiers through the initial implementation of Engagedly as well as Mentoring Complete. She is passionate about delivering stellar client experiences and ensuring high adoption rates of the Engagedly product through engaging and impactful training and onboarding.