Latest / The Career Mentor Podcast with Fexingo: Finding Mentors, Sponsors, and Career Advisors / How to Find a Mentor During a Career Pivot
Transcript
- Lucas: So, we've talked a lot about finding mentors in general, but today I want to get specific about something I see trip people up all the time: finding a mentor when you're in the middle of a career pivot. Not just changing jobs, but really shifting lanes. Luna: Right, because that's a totally different beast. You're not just looking for advice on the next step, you're looking for someone who can help you see around corners in a field you don't know yet. Lucas: Exactly. And I think the common mistake is people think they need to find a mentor who is already in the exact role they want, in the exact industry they want. But that's actually pretty limiting, and it's not how most pivots actually happen. Luna: So what's the alternative? I feel like everyone's first instinct is to stalk people on LinkedIn who have the job title they want. Lucas: And that's not wrong, but it's usually a dead end because those people get hit up all the time. Let's use a concrete example. Say you're a marketing manager at a consumer goods company, and you want to move into product management in tech. You might think you need a product manager at a FAANG company to mentor you. But honestly, a better bet might be someone who made the same pivot a few years ago, from marketing to product, even if they're at a smaller company. Luna: Because they've walked that exact path. They know the gaps, the skills you need to emphasize, and the hiring managers' hesitations. Lucas: Exactly. And that's the first point: look for people who have made the transition you want, not just people who are already on the other side. They've got the playbook, and they're often more willing to help because they remember how hard it was. Luna: So how do you actually find these people? I mean, you can't just search 'marketing to product person' on LinkedIn. Lucas: Well, you kind of can. But let's get practical. You can use LinkedIn's search filters to find people who list both marketing and product management in their experience. But the smarter move is to tap into your existing network first. Send a note to a couple of former colleagues or classmates who work in tech, and ask if they know anyone who made a similar switch. Warm intros beat cold outreach every time. Luna: And if you don't have those connections? Like you're completely new to the industry, maybe you're coming from a totally different field. Lucas: Then you go a step further. You look for people who are vocal about their career transitions. Maybe they wrote a LinkedIn post about it, or they speak at meetups. You can also join industry-specific communities, both online and in person, and just start participating. The goal is to get on their radar before you ever ask for anything. Luna: So you're building a relationship, not just asking a stranger for a favor. That makes sense. But I feel like there's a real hesitation to even reach out to someone you don't know well. Even with a warm intro, it's scary. Lucas: Of course it is. And that's where I think a lot of people get stuck. They overthink the outreach message. But it doesn't need to be perfect. Just be specific and respectful. Say something like, 'I'm a marketing manager with eight years of experience, and I'm exploring a move into product management. I saw that you made a similar shift, and I'd love to ask you a couple of questions about how you navigated that. Could we grab a fifteen-minute coffee?' That's it. Luna: And if they say no? Or they don't respond? Is it just a numbers game at that point? Lucas: Partially, yeah. But you also have to be strategic. Don't just spray messages to fifty people. Pick five or six who you genuinely admire or who have a background that resonates with you. And make each message personal. Mention something you saw on their profile, a talk they gave, a project they worked on. That's what gets a response. Luna: Okay, so now you've got a coffee meeting. What's the actual ask? Are you asking them to be your mentor? That feels so formal. Lucas: Right, you don't want to put that label on it right away. The first meeting should just be about learning. Ask about their journey, what they wish they'd known, what they'd do differently. Then, if the conversation goes well, you can say something like, 'I'd love to keep in touch as I navigate this transition. Would it be okay if I reached out occasionally?' And that's how a mentoring relationship starts, organically. Luna: So it's less about formalizing a mentorship and more about building a relationship over time. That feels less intimidating. Lucas: Exactly. And that's actually the healthiest way to think about it. Formal mentorship programs are fine, but the best mentorships often happen naturally, through repeated conversations. Luna: Yeah, and speaking of repeated conversations, I've been thinking about what you mentioned earlier about the donation segment. This show has been a huge help for my own career decisions, and I know a lot of our listeners feel the same. If you've gotten something out of our episodes, even a couple of dollars a month makes a real difference in keeping them ad-free. You can support us at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Lucas: Yeah, it really does. It's how we keep the lights on and keep the episodes coming without any corporate sponsors. So if you're in a position to give, we appreciate it. But now back to the topic. Because I think there's a second mistake people make when they're pivoting: they look for a mentor in their new field, but they ignore the mentors they already have in their current field. Luna: Hmm, that's interesting. Why would your old mentor be valuable if you're leaving their industry? Lucas: Because they know you. They know your strengths, your blind spots, your work style. They can help you translate your existing skills into the new context. And they can be an honest sounding board when you're feeling insecure about starting over. Luna: So they're more like a career advisor than a technical mentor. They're helping you think through the transition, not the day-to-day of the new role. Lucas: Exactly. And that's a role that's often undervalued. Actually, there's a concept I've been reading about called the 'transition advisor.' It's someone who helps you specifically with the process of change, not just the destination. And sometimes that's a better fit than a traditional mentor. Luna: So how do you find that kind of person? I'm guessing they're not going to have 'transition advisor' in their job title. Lucas: No, they won't. But you can look for people who are a few years ahead of you, maybe ten years, and who have navigated their own pivots successfully. They could be in any field. The key is that they think strategically about careers. You might find them in professional associations, alumni networks, or even through your existing mentor's network. Luna: So it's about finding someone with a growth mindset, not just a title. Lucas: Right. And I think that's a key distinction. When you're pivoting, you need someone who can help you see the forest, not just the trees. And let's be honest, sometimes the trees in your new field are hard to see from the outside. Luna: So what's the best way to approach someone you've identified as a potential transition advisor? Is it different from the previous outreach? Lucas: It's similar, but the framing is different. You're not asking for technical advice about the new role. You're saying, 'I'm at a crossroads in my career and I'd love to get your perspective on how to think about the transition.' That's a bigger ask, a more strategic conversation. But it's also more flattering for the mentor. Luna: I can see that. It's like, they're being valued for their judgment, not just their knowledge. Lucas: Exactly. And because you're not putting them on the spot about specifics, they're more likely to say yes. Then, once you have that relationship, you can ask more targeted questions as you get deeper into the pivot. Luna: Alright, so we've talked about finding a mentor who's made the transition, and finding a transition advisor. What about the sponsor angle? I know we've done a whole episode on sponsors, but how is it different during a pivot? Lucas: Good question. A sponsor is someone who advocates for you when you're not in the room. In a pivot, you need someone who can open doors, introduce you to hiring managers, or vouch for your transferable skills. That's different from a mentor who gives advice. And you usually need a mentor before you can get a sponsor, because a sponsor has to know you well enough to put their reputation on the line. Luna: So during a pivot, should you be actively looking for a sponsor, or is that premature? Lucas: I'd say it's never too early to start planting the seeds. But you can't force it. Sponsors usually emerge after you've proven yourself in some way, even if it's just through informational interviews or freelance projects. So while you're looking for mentors, also be on the lookout for people who seem genuinely excited about your potential and have influence in your target field. Luna: And how do you nurture that relationship without it feeling transactional? Lucas: By adding value, even in small ways. Share an article they might find interesting, offer to help with a project they're working on, or just send a thoughtful note when you see something relevant. It's about building a genuine connection, not just asking for favors. Luna: That makes sense. But I'm wondering, what if you do all this and you still can't find a mentor? Is there some kind of plan B for self-guided people? Lucas: Sure. There's always the option of creating your own board of advisors. Pick three or four people you respect, maybe with different perspectives, and set up periodic check-ins. You can also lean on peer mentorship, where you're going through a similar transition with a colleague or a friend. And of course, there are books, podcasts like this one, and online courses that can fill some gaps. Luna: So it's not all or nothing. Even if you don't have a formal mentor, you can still get the guidance you need. Lucas: Exactly. And I think the key takeaway is to be intentional. Don't just wait for a mentor to appear. Actively seek out the kind of guidance you need, whether that's someone who's walked your path, a strategic advisor, or a peer group. And remember, the best mentorships are often built on mutual respect and a genuine desire to help, not just a one-time ask. Luna: Yeah, I think that's a great note to end on. If you're in the middle of a pivot, what's one thing you can do this week to move toward finding that guidance? Lucas: I'd say write down three people from your existing network who you could reach out to for a coffee chat. Just three. And send them a message today. You'll be surprised at how many people are willing to help. Luna: And if you do that, you're already ahead of most people. Thanks for joining us, and we'll catch you next time.