WHY SET MENTORING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
AND HOW TO USE THEM?

Mentoring goals and objectives can have a significant impact on the development of a successful mentoring relationship. So, it is essential to understand what is goal setting before we get into the “why”.

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A word diagram showing many features of mentoring

Chances are that you may not be able to accomplish something if you did not identify it at the beginning as something you desire to accomplish. What is it? Goal setting is the structure that tells you when you have reached an objective that wanted to realize.

Goal setting moves you to stay on the path that will get you to the end result. That is why you are setting goals.

In a mentoring relationship, the mentees must have a specific idea of what they want. It could be something that is oriented to short-term goals of capturing a picture of the broad view of the career field in which they may want to pursue.

On the other hand, one of their long-term goals may be to fully understand an area of that career to the point where one could utilize the professional networks of your mentor to gain access to the appropriate personnel in an organization. This could lead to an advantageous position in the list of possible candidates for a role.

SMART GOALS FOR MENTORING

A listing showing the acronym “SMART” for setting goals.

One recognized approach to accomplishing objectives is to use the term SMART goals. It is a clarified way of viewing mentorship especially in reaching your primary objectives. That term is an acronym for “Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound”.

When all of these elements exist, then you can almost count on having achievable goals.

Here is a view of SMART Goals:

Specific - What actions will you take and what do you want to accomplish?
Measurable - Can you identify data and what level to you want to measure?
Achievable - Do you have the resources available and is it attainable?
Relevant - Does the goal orient with your broader goals?
Time-bound - Is your time-frame aligned with your target?

Let’s work our way through them to ensure you capture the essential points.

S = In specifically defining your goal, consider what it is you want to accomplish. You should include in that process the defined main tasks of who, what, when, where, and why. Covering those points will help clarify your main objective.

M- To make your goal tangible, you should be able to measure it in some way. It could be in a quantitative method, time-oriented, or event based.

A= Motivation should be one of your major elements, rather than disappointment. So evaluate to be sure that it can be attained.

R= Examine your broader long-term business goals to determine if this one fits into that scope.

T = Identify the time perspective and see if it fits in with your own view of a completion date. If it doesn’t, then it is time to re-evaluate that goal.

IMPORTANCE OF SETTING GOALS

Formalizing the process by writing down your goals has been shown to significantly improve your chances of meeting those goals.

Be clear
Be specific

Having a clear picture of your objective only helps clarify where you are in the process and what you need to do to take the next step.

HOW MENTORING HELPS THE MENTEE

The mentee receives the following benefits in a mentoring relationship especially regarding a career change:

Gains a perspective of the daily life that they may not have had previously.
Learns why some people fail in that field.
Understands how others succeed in that role.
May find issues with the role that they did not know existed.
Perceive a better understanding of the skill set required for success.
Provides them with insight into the culture of this career category.
Identifies what skills development needs to occur. .
Helps with their own personal growth including their communication skills.
Expands their thoughts on leadership.
Aids them with their career planning.
Encourages their professional development.
May gain potential access to professional relationships of the mentor for the mentee’s benefit.

A mentor and mentee talking through the goals for their session

IMPACT OF MENTORING ON THE MENTOR

These are just some of the effects of mentoring for the mentor:

Enhances their leadership skills.
Increases their exposure as a knowledgeable advisor or expert in their field.
Improves their communication skills by listening strongly to their mentee to capture the true meaning of their comments.
Encourages an honest feedback relationship with the mentee, even when the dialogue is difficult.
Expends their perspective for entry level personnel and the issues that they have to deal with.
Provides the opportunity to gain new skills and the exposure to new technological advances that the mentees experience.
Presents the situation to give back to society and provide assistance to those who want to grow and shift to new careers.
Enhances their own networking skills.
Improves their motivation capabilities.
Feels the genuine joy that comes from helping others especially in a career field. It is well observed that many mentees continue as mentors later on.

STRONG RELATIONSHIP OF MENTEE AND MENTOR

Both the mentee and the mentor work to meet the mentee's mentorship goals. During this process the parties develop a mentoring partnership. Due to this opportunity to address such career issues, a successful mentoring relationship is formed.

HOW TO FIND A MENTOR

Just as you would expect, there is an old way and a new way of finding a mentor.

OLD WAY

You may be able to remember (or not) that there was quite a process in locating a mentor. The old way may have gone something like this.

First, as you would do today, you evaluate yourself to determine what career path that you are interested in.

Next depending on your age, you search through the library for annual reports that provide more information about companies in that general field.

Then start searching through your contacts and those of your friends to identify people who may have some knowledge of that career field.

You start phoning those identified to determine if they know someone who could help in your career development in that area.

As you get the names of those individuals, start cold calling each to request some of their time either in a longer phone call or a physical meeting to determine if they may assist you as a mentor.

Finding someone who has the background and knowledge is one key objective. But getting someone who is willing and anxious to transfer their insight and guidance to help you could be challenging. You are fortunate if you have found a better mentor who gains joy and satisfaction from the mentoring process. The mentee's goals are to find potential mentors that do just that. Grab that opportunity.

Start the process by telling your mentor the specific goal you wish to accomplish. The best ways to be successful are to be honest with yourself and with your mentor.

NOW - THE NEW WAY

Go online and search for the career categories for which you have an interest.

Your search will yield numerous locations where you can find individuals who are experienced in their career field and, most importantly, want to transfer their knowledge and insight about that field to people like you who want to learn and perhaps enter that field.

One such company that makes mentors available is CareerRedo . The home page lists numerous career categories. You can dig deeper to find mentors that are available to offer their services via phone, Zoom, or any other agreed to method. There is a way to view all of their mentors and the career fields for which they will gladly give their guidance.

The mentors do charge for their services. However, a one-hour session with a mentor may give just the information you are looking for to help you take the next step. Alternatively, You may decide that it is a perfect fit and you book a full day or multiple hourly sessions over a period of time.

You decide what are the best practices for you as you address your personal goals and career goals. You never know how things will evolve. You mentor or mentors may even develop into role models for you.

This new way is more efficient and a more effective way to determine if your desires can turn into an achievable goal. You could try formal mentoring programs but something personal like an online mentor can help you achieve your goals more quickly.

Completing your objectives is the true measure to call it a successful mentoring program.

An archery target represents mentoring goals

MENTORING GOALS AND OBJECTIVES CONCLUSION:
BEST APPROACH TO FIND A GREAT MENTOR

A female mentor with her mentee reviewing her goals.

Finding a way to quickly and easily obtain insight from those who come from different backgrounds from you is a good idea. Their knowledge could add to your base of specific skills to allow you to develop a successful career in your new field.

The great thing about the new way is that you can quickly develop an action plan to investigate any new skill that is beneficial in your desired career field. If you feel it is not for you, then adjust quickly with a new, different mentor. This new mentor relationship is critical in the development of mutual trust for your development and accomplishing your mentoring goals and objectives.

Search for your own mentor with the green button below.

Examine more advice and ideas on changing careers and mentors here:

Our Free Guide Gives You An Easy Way To Find Your Mentor And Begin Your Career Change

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Don D'Armond is the creator of Career Redo.

His goal is to connect his visitors who want to learn more about their desired new career fields with experienced individuals (Mentors) to transfer their insight and knowledge.