{"id":22337,"date":"2022-05-28T15:08:09","date_gmt":"2022-05-28T22:08:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/remarkablemag.com\/how-to-be-the-best-virtual-mentor-during-covid-19\/"},"modified":"2022-05-30T08:51:10","modified_gmt":"2022-05-30T15:51:10","slug":"how-to-be-the-best-virtual-mentor-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/remarkablemag.com\/how-to-be-the-best-virtual-mentor-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Be the Best Virtual Mentor During COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"
76% of people<\/span><\/a><\/span> think that having a mentor at work is important, but only 37% of people currently have one. Why?<\/span><\/p>\n Most people understand the benefits of mentorship. Mentorees are happier in their current jobs, have someone to cheer them on, and can take advantage of a more experienced, unbiased opinion about their current situation.<\/span><\/p>\n However, it can be challenging to establish a mentoring relationship, even as a virtual mentor. It\u2019s very awkward to simply ask someone to be your mentor, which is why the majority of mentorship relationships develop naturally.<\/span><\/p>\n During the current COVID-19 crisis, it can be even more difficult to establish a close professional connection. As an experienced professional, what can you do to be a great mentor \u2014 even virtually?<\/span><\/p>\n Here are some strategies I\u2019ve found helpful that you can use right away.<\/span><\/p>\n Be Aware of the Impact of COVID-19 on Your Mentee<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n The first step toward being a great mentor during this pandemic is to be aware of how the current environment is impacting your mentee. For instance, do they have loved ones who got ill? Are they concerned about their job or their health?<\/span><\/p>\n Any crisis can trigger panic, but COVID-19 has brought on unprecedented uncertainty that has lasted almost an entire year.<\/span><\/p>\n In my work with\u00a0<\/span>Bubblegum Casting<\/span><\/a><\/span> this year, I\u2019ve found it essential to listen more and talk less. As a mentor you\u2019re used to giving advice, but in this type of environment it\u2019s critical to know what\u2019s on the mind of your mentee.<\/span><\/p>\n Listen to their concerns and help them work through their fears. In your career, you\u2019ve probably faced times of difficulty and uncertainty. Use those experiences to help your mentee navigate these tough times.<\/span><\/p>\n Take Advantage of Technology<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Being a virtual mentor is a challenge, but it\u2019s also an opportunity. Yes, it\u2019s challenging to build the trust online that you can create over coffee, but it also opens the door to new mentorship options.<\/span><\/p>\n Look for an online mentor network portal. It\u2019s even better if the portals are free. Use the tools the platform offers to connect with your mentee, schedule meetings, and share additional information.<\/span><\/p>\n Then, think about how you can use this to expand your network. Virtual mentorship allows you to impact many more professionals than in-person meetings do. You can even give advice and lead people who are halfway across the world.<\/span><\/p>\n At\u00a0<\/span>Hunter Talent<\/span><\/a><\/span>, we work with talents from all over the planet. Being able to use a mentor portal to connect with people in other cities or countries multiplies my impact. Best of all, it takes far less time and money than connecting in person!<\/span><\/p>\n How can technology improve your mentorship skills and magnify your influence? COVID-19 has given you the perfect opportunity to experiment!<\/span><\/p>\n Be Intentional About Your Professional Relationship<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n As a mentor, you might rely on informal run-ins to connect with your mentee. During the pandemic, however, everyone has shifted to working from home. Some offices are still not open, or if they are, they aren\u2019t operating at full capacity.<\/span><\/p>\n This means that you\u2019ll need to be very intentional about connecting with people, asking how their day or week is going, and offering advice. Because everything is socially distant right now, it might be a good time to create a more formal learning experience for your mentee.<\/span><\/p>\n