Mentors are invaluable. They help you learn the ropes while showing you how to stand out in your department. A mentor is a friend, confidant, and experienced professional there to help you throughout your career.

You’ll find mentors scattered throughout the various departments at Reynolds and Reynolds. Our mentors meet with mentees to discuss work issues, give advice, and much more.

Don’t worry if your workplace doesn’t provide a mentor. Following these tips can help you find your own in no-time:

1. Locate tenured employees.

Ideally, you want to go after someone who represents your future goals. If you desire to be in management in the future, look for a manager in a related department to mentor you. She can identify the challenges you may face and help you overcome them.

2. Find a personality match.

Your mentor should be someone who understands what drives, challenges, and frustrates you. If you have similar personalities, your mentor will know how to effectively deliver feedback. Good communication is essential to making progress.

3. Do a test run.

You can try out a mentor by asking her a few questions about her career. Ask why she wanted to apply for her job position, or what she would recommend to new employees. If you receive helpful, thoughtful answers, she would probably be a good mentor.

4. Ask her to be your mentor.

Ask your desired mentor about partnering with you in-person. Sit her down, and leave enough time for questions. She may want to get an idea on what type of guidance you’re looking for.

5. Be ready to explain.

Have a plan made for how often you would like to meet, and what personal objectives you would like to accomplish. Let her know your future goals, and determine what type of work it will take to get there. Be ready to explain why you would like her as your mentor.

Finding a mentor helps make getting through rough days a little easier. She will most likely understand many of the struggles you are facing, and will be a support system as you learn and grow professionally.