Navigating your way through your professional life can sometimes be very frustrating. Many times people are left confused as to what they really want out of their careers and the lack of focus can be detrimental to professional growth. Other times, you could know exactly what you want but feel you are not achieving your goals at a rate you are satisfied with. All of these problems can be solved by having a career mentor whose hindsight can become your foresight.

Below we have listed the top 3 reasons you need a career mentor. Use them as motivation to take the first step and approach someone you admire professionally.

1. Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses

One of the biggest issues you can face professionally is not knowing your strengths and weaknesses. Your strengths are the things you want to highlight in job interviews. You can also rely on them when tackling a big project.

Your weaknesses, on the other hand, need attention. You must work on them so they don’t hold you back. A career mentor can evaluate you professionally and point out both your strengths and weaknesses. Even better, they can show you how to use your strengths to achieve your goals and how to overcome your weaknesses.

2. Invaluable Networking

Most likely, your mentor will be at a professional level above you. This means the people they know could be out of your reach in your own networking efforts. Your mentor can act as an advocate for you, and they most likely will. They can introduce you to people who can help move you up the ladder faster.

Be careful, though, not to lean on your mentor for too many introductions. Instead, trust that your mentor will act on their own when they see a good reason to connect you with someone.

3. Keep Your Confidence Soaring

Let’s face it, your professional life can be brutal on your confidence. Sometimes all your best efforts will feel like they are not enough to move you toward your goals.

Your career mentor will understand this because they have lived through it. They can tell you from first-hand experience that you are doing the right thing. They will remind you that things will work out if you keep going. Talking to someone who has been where you are, and broke through to achieve the goals you want, will help you keep your confidence high. What could be better than that?

Often, the idea of finding and approaching someone to ask if they would be your mentor feels intimidating. This discomfort alone keeps many people from gaining mentors who could guide them toward the career they truly want.

Finding a mentor is not as hard as it seems. They may already work at the same company in positions you want. You can also find them on social media, in your church, or in other organizations you are part of.

Don’t let your fear of approaching someone you admire stop you from finding a career mentor. Make a list of potential mentors and reach out to them one by one, you will be surprised at how easy it can be to find someone willing to help you accomplish your professional dreams.