CAREER MENTORING

Anyone who wants to help others, who is involved in Finnish working life, and who has some work experience in Finland can become a mentor. It is enough that the mentor has good social skills and wants to help and support a less experienced person who is aiming to develop professionally and find solutions on their career path.

Do you know what career mentoring is? What can you expect from mentoring? Start by reading more about mentoring here. If you want more information about the roles of the mentor and mentee or the matching of mentoring pairs, visit the “Matching mentoring pairs” section on the For organisers page.

Before mentoring, make sure that you have the time and energy required for mentoring. While successful mentoring is based on the mentee’s wishes and goals, the mentor must also be active and engaged.

Mentoring does not just happen, it requires investment and engagement. Mentoring consists of meetings with your mentee, and possibly support and consideration between meetings. The mentor is expected to share their experiences, perspectives and ideas, as well as provide support and encouragement for professional growth. However, the mentor does not need to have all the answers.

For more information about the mentoring process and supporting material prepared for mentors and mentees, please visit the Career mentoring phases and supporting material page. There, you can find answers to the following questions and more:

• Mentoring is an equal relationship between two people, in which the mentor supports the mentee in their professional development.
• The relationship should be based on open and active interaction and confidentiality.
• Set goals at the beginning of your mentoring relationship – both larger goals and smaller interim goals.
• The mentoring relationship is based on the mentee’s wishes and goals.
• The mentor’s role and the nature of mentoring are also specified on their basis.
• Agree upon a shared set of rules for your meetings and mentoring relationship: Who will you maintain contact and how often? Will you prepare yourselves for your meetings? What will you do when you meet?
• Face your partner openly without any prejudice.
• The mentor does not need to give or find a job or a training position for the mentee or do anything on the mentee’s behalf.
• If there is something wrong with your relationship, discuss it with your mentee. If required, contact the organiser if there is one.

If you have participated in a mentoring programme provided by an organisation as a mentor, the organisation will support you. This YES Kummit website also offers loads of useful information and supporting material for mentoring. These will come in handy both before and during your mentoring process.

4. What if my cooperation with my mentee doesn’t work?

Discuss things openly with your mentee from the beginning. After all, open and honest interaction reduces any problems with mentoring. If your cooperation doesn’t work, it is good and important to discuss it. It is good to talk about problems. If your cooperation still does not work, you may end the mentoring relationship, but you should talk about it together. It is good to agree on ending the relationship together and consider how the mentee can continue their professional growth without you continuing as their mentor. If you are participating in a mentoring programme organised by a party, also contact the organiser.

5. Should I be able to give or find a job for the mentee?

No. You are not responsible for finding a job or a training position for the mentee. The mentor’s role is to help the mentee to advance on their career path, while the responsibility for finding a job is ultimately in the mentee’s own hands.