Real examples of examples of how to find a mentor that actually work

Examples of how to find a mentor at work

Let’s start with the easiest place: where you already are. Some of the best examples of how to find a mentor come from people who never left their own building (or Zoom).

Imagine Maya, a marketing coordinator at a mid-sized tech company. She admires a senior product manager, Jordan, who always seems calm in chaos and presents clearly to executives.

Instead of asking, “Will you be my mentor?” on day one, she sends this message after a cross-functional meeting:

“Hi Jordan, I really liked how you explained the launch risks in today’s meeting. I’m working on improving how I present to leadership. Would you be open to a 20-minute chat sometime this month about how you prepare for those meetings? I can send a few times that work for you.”

That tiny, specific ask is one of the cleanest examples of how to find a mentor at work:

• She names a specific behavior she admires.
• She makes a small, time-bound request.
• She hints at a longer-term interest without demanding a formal label.

Over the next few months, she follows up with short updates:

• “I tried your tip about structuring my slides around three key questions. My VP said it was much clearer—thank you again.”
• “I’m putting together my development plan. Could I get your quick thoughts on what skills matter most for moving into product?”

After a few of these interactions, Jordan is already acting like a mentor. Only then does Maya say:

“You’ve been incredibly helpful as I think about my career. If you’re open to it, I’d love to keep meeting quarterly in a more structured way. I see you as a mentor and really value your perspective.”

No big ceremony. Just a relationship that naturally grew into mentorship.

Real examples of how to find a mentor using LinkedIn

A lot of people treat LinkedIn like a digital résumé graveyard. In reality, some of the best examples of how to find a mentor in 2024–2025 start with a well-written LinkedIn message.

Picture Alex, a customer support rep who wants to move into data analytics. He searches LinkedIn for “data analyst” at companies he admires and filters for people who:

• Live in his region (or time zone)
• Have a similar background (maybe they also started in support)
• Post occasionally about their work

He finds Priya, a data analyst who wrote a post about using SQL to improve customer experience. Instead of sending a generic note like “Can you mentor me?” he sends this:

“Hi Priya, I loved your post about using SQL to reduce ticket volume. I’m a support rep at [Company] and I’m teaching myself SQL because I want to move into analytics. Would you be open to a 15–20 minute chat about how you made the transition from frontline work to data? I’ll come with 2–3 specific questions and can work around your schedule.”

This is a strong example of how to find a mentor via LinkedIn because it:

• Shows he actually read her content.
• Connects their backgrounds.
• Sets a clear, small ask.

If she says yes, he prepares thoughtful questions, sends a thank-you note, and follows up a few weeks later with progress:

“I finished the free SQL course you recommended and built a small dashboard for my team. It’s already helping us track response times. Thank you again for pointing me in the right direction.”

Over time, a few of these check-ins can transform a one-off chat into an ongoing mentoring relationship.

Examples of examples of how to find a mentor through formal programs

Not every mentorship has to grow organically. Some of the best examples of how to find a mentor come from formal programs that match you with experienced professionals.

Here are a few real examples of where those programs live:

• Company mentorship programs. Many larger employers run internal mentoring programs through HR or Learning & Development. These often match early-career employees with leaders in other departments so you can get unbiased guidance. If your company has a learning portal or HR intranet, check there first, or ask HR directly.
• University alumni networks. If you attended college, your alumni association may offer mentoring programs or networking platforms. For example, many universities host alumni mentoring portals where students and grads can request informational interviews with alumni in specific industries. You can find these through your school’s career center or alumni office (often on a .edu site).
• Professional associations. Industry groups—like the American Marketing Association or Society for Human Resource Management—often run mentorship programs for members. These are especially helpful if you’re switching companies or locations but want to stay in the same field.

One real example: a mid-career nurse who wants to move into public health might join the American Public Health Association and apply for their mentoring initiatives. That pairing can open doors you’d never find on your own.

In all of these formal settings, the structure does some of the social work for you. You don’t have to invent the relationship from scratch; you just have to show up prepared, curious, and reliable.

Best examples of how to find a mentor when you’re changing careers

Career changers often feel like outsiders, which is exactly why you need mentors. Here are a few best examples of how to find a mentor when you’re pivoting into something new.

Example of using classes and bootcamps

Let’s say you’re moving from teaching into UX design and you enroll in a part-time UX course. Instead of just doing the assignments, you treat the instructor as a potential mentor.

You stay after class to ask:

“I’m transitioning from K–12 teaching into UX. What’s one thing you wish career changers understood about breaking into this field?”

You follow up by email with a portfolio draft and ask for feedback on one specific project. Over time, this instructor becomes a go-to person for advice on which roles to target and how to talk about your transferable skills.

This is one of the best examples of how to find a mentor because you’re:

• Already in a learning environment.
• Showing commitment through your work.
• Making it easy for them to help in small, focused ways.

Example of using meetups and conferences

Another real example: you attend a local data science meetup. Instead of trying to “collect” business cards, you pick one speaker whose background resonates with yours and ask a targeted question afterward:

“You mentioned you started in sales before moving into data. I’m in sales now and trying to make a similar move. Would you be open to a quick virtual coffee sometime so I can ask how you structured that transition?”

Then you connect on LinkedIn with a personalized note referencing that conversation. A few thoughtful follow-ups later, you may have found a mentor who truly understands your pivot.

Subtle examples of how to find a mentor without saying the word “mentor”

Many people freeze at the phrase “Will you be my mentor?” It can feel heavy, formal, and loaded with expectation. Some of the best examples of how to find a mentor skip that phrase entirely.

Here are a few subtle approaches that work well:

• Ask for “advice,” not “mentorship.” For instance: “Could I get your advice on choosing between two roles?” is less intimidating than “Will you mentor me?”
• Ask for a short series of conversations. Try: “Would you be open to three 30-minute conversations over the next few months as I navigate this promotion process?”
• Frame it as learning from their experience. Say: “I really respect how you built your career in operations. If you’re open to it, I’d love to occasionally ask for your guidance as I grow in this area.”

These are all examples of examples of how to find a mentor by focusing on behavior (“Can I ask your advice sometimes?”) rather than labels (“Be my mentor forever”).

Examples include peer and near-peer mentors, not just executives

When people think “mentor,” they often picture a senior VP or a famous thought leader. In reality, some of the best examples of how to find a mentor involve people who are just one or two steps ahead of you.

Peer mentors are colleagues at a similar level who share knowledge and keep each other accountable. For example, two junior engineers might meet biweekly to review code, practice giving status updates, and compare notes on navigating their managers. No hierarchy, just mutual learning.

Near-peer mentors are slightly more experienced professionals who still remember what it was like to be in your shoes. A second-year nurse helping a new grad adjust to night shifts is a near-peer mentor. So is a senior associate helping an intern understand how to prepare for client meetings.

These relationships are easier to form because:

• They require less time and status from the mentor.
• The experience gap is small enough to feel relatable.
• You can often trade value in both directions.

If you’re looking for an example of how to start, you might say to a near-peer:

“You’re only a year ahead of me, but you’ve already figured out how to manage stakeholder expectations. Would you be open to chatting once a month about how you approach that? I’d be happy to share anything I learn about [skill you’re strong in] too.”

Those small, mutual agreements are powerful examples of how to find a mentor who fits your stage of growth.

Examples of how to find a mentor online in 2024–2025

Remote and hybrid work have made online mentoring far more normal. Some of the best examples of how to find a mentor today happen entirely over video calls and messages.

Here are a few modern paths:

• Online communities and Slack groups. Many professions now have active online communities—like marketing Slack groups, engineering Discord servers, or nonprofit leadership forums. Look for spaces where experienced professionals answer questions regularly. By asking thoughtful questions and sharing your own work, you’ll naturally attract people who might become mentors.
• Open-source projects and collaborative work. In tech, contributing to open-source projects is a powerful example of how to find a mentor. Maintainers often guide new contributors, review code, and offer career advice once they see your consistent effort.
• Virtual office hours and webinars. Universities and organizations often host free webinars with Q&A sessions. For example, career centers at universities like Harvard publish resources and events that can connect you with experienced professionals. Asking a sharp question during the Q&A and then following up afterward can open the door to a mentoring relationship.

The key trend in 2024–2025: mentors are increasingly comfortable building relationships entirely online. That means your location matters less than your initiative and follow-through.

How to make these examples of examples of how to find a mentor work for you

It’s one thing to read real examples. It’s another to turn them into action. Here’s how to adapt these examples of how to find a mentor to your situation.

Start by getting specific about what you want to learn. Instead of “I need a mentor,” try “I want help with:

• Moving from individual contributor to manager.
• Switching from customer support to product management.
• Navigating academia to industry.”

When you know what you want, you can spot people who already live that reality.

Then, pick one or two channels to focus on:

• If you’re employed: start at work and in your company’s network.
• If you’re a student or alum: use your university’s career center and alumni tools.
• If you’re changing careers: use LinkedIn, meetups, and classes.

Use a light, respectful first ask. The real examples above all share a pattern:

• Short, clear messages.
• Specific topics.
• Respect for time.

Follow up with proof you took their advice. This is where most people drop the ball. When you show that you acted on their guidance, you make it rewarding to keep investing in you.

Over time, you won’t just have one mentor; you’ll build a small, diverse “personal board of advisors” who each help with different angles of your career.

FAQ: examples of common mentoring questions

What is an example of a good first message to a potential mentor?

Here’s a simple example you can adapt:

“Hi [Name], I’ve been following your work on [specific project, article, talk]. I’m an early-career [your role] interested in growing in [specific area]. Would you be open to a 20-minute virtual coffee in the next few weeks so I can ask 2–3 questions about how you approached [specific topic]? I know you’re busy, so I’m happy to work around your schedule.”

This works because it’s specific, respectful, and low-pressure.

What are examples of mentors I should look for besides my manager?

Examples include:

• A senior colleague in another department who does work you admire.
• An alum from your university working in your target role.
• A professional association member who volunteers to help early-career professionals.
• A former boss who knows your strengths and wants to see you grow.
• A peer who’s strong in an area where you want to improve.

How many mentors should I have?

You don’t need a big number. Many professionals have two to four people they regularly turn to for different topics—for example, one for leadership, one for technical skills, one for navigating office politics. Think “personal board of advisors,” not “one perfect mentor.”

How do I know if someone is a good example of a mentor for me?

Look for these signs:

• They’re doing work you’d like to be doing in 3–5 years.
• They communicate in a way that makes sense to you.
• They’re willing to be honest, not just polite.
• They respect your time and boundaries—and you respect theirs.

If conversations leave you feeling clearer and more energized, that’s a strong sign.

Are there any official resources about mentoring I can learn from?

Yes. While they focus more on education and youth, organizations like MENTOR share research-backed guidance on what makes mentoring relationships effective. University career centers (for example, Harvard’s Office of Career Services) also share advice on informational interviews and networking that pairs well with the examples of how to find a mentor in this guide.

If you take nothing else from these real examples of examples of how to find a mentor, take this: you don’t need a perfect pitch, a fancy title, or a big network. You just need to start small, be specific, and follow through. The rest grows from there.