Achieving your career goals is rarely ever a solo act. Sometimes, even the best of us need a helping hand.
Having the right career mentor helps boost your professional development and improves job satisfaction.
That said, not all who call themselves mentors are worthy of the title.
Just like in any relationship, there are red flags you should avoid when seeking a career mentor. The wrong ones drag you down and stunt your growth – even as you seek to improve your skills at your work from home job.
Here are some signs of poor mentorship you should look out for:
Doesn’t Have a Good Reputation
Testimonials and references are a great way to assess a potential mentor.
Thus, one of the clearest career mentor red flags is the lack of positive testimonials or references from previous mentees. Especially if they’ve been around for a long time.
Additionally, if you’ve been hearing negative things about them from their peers, think twice. You don’t want to be associated with someone who isn’t liked or respected within your field.
Lacks Relevant Experience
By definition, career mentors are professionals with extensive experience and knowledge in their field.
One crucial red flag to watch out for in your career mentor is their lack of relevant experience.
Additionally, although your potential career mentor may be knowledgeable in their field, do they know how to apply these in an online work from home setup?
Do they have any advice regarding maintaining productivity while working remotely? Or do they have tips regarding working with a client from a different time zone?
Without experience working online jobs, your mentor’s advice might not be too useful for you.
Poor Communication Skills
Excellent communication skills is one of the hallmark qualities of an effective mentor.
If your mentor struggles to provide actionable feedback, struggles to listen to you and answer your questions, and constantly takes too long to reply, it’s time to look for someone new.
The Lack of Alignment With Your Career Goals
Good mentors inspire their mentees not just to rise to their level, but to eventually surpass them.
However, some career mentors can’t accept this and instead make sure their mentees can’t surpass them.
Remember, the main reason you sought a mentor is to achieve your goals faster. If your mentor just ends up getting in your way, it’s time to part ways.
Unprofessional Behaviour
Giving constructive feedback is one thing, but belittling someone for an honest mistake is another.
No matter how knowledgeable or experienced your mentor may be, this doesn’t justify such abrasive behaviour.
If they constantly give negative feedback with no constructive solutions, take credit for your work, or talk behind your back, run.
Blatant Tokenism
Do you feel like your mentor only took you in because it makes them look “inclusive?”
Some mentors often accept mentees just to tick boxes off a DEI (diversity, equality, and inclusion) checklist rather than their talents or skills.
This means they’re unlikely to offer deep and meaningful support to you, resulting in little development and networking opportunities.
TMI/Oversharing
Your mentor sharing some of their personal stories with you can be a treasure trove of useful information for your career.
However, if they spend more time complaining or sharing more than you need to know, it’s time to look elsewhere.
Find the Right Career Mentor for You by Avoiding These Red Flags
Seeking a mentor is a great way to grow your career and discover new opportunities in your field.
That said, finding the right career mentor can be difficult if you don’t know what red flags to watch out for.
Fortunately, by taking note of the points above, you’ll have an easier time avoiding bad career mentors and finding the right one for your needs.
Aside from a career mentor, are you also looking for work from home jobs? If so, Remote Staff is here to help.
Our jobs list contains plenty of positions to choose from. These range from the usual virtual assistant jobs and online transcription jobs to online design jobs and online writing jobs.
Ready to start your online career? Sign up here. Good luck!
