How can you find a mentor when moving to a new city?

As a Career mentor now, when I look back 7 years ago, I didn't even realize the importance of a mentor when I moved to a new country. Although its not on top of my list, finding the right mentor definitely plays a vital role when you understand your road blocks and challenges. I've always looked for a mentor who has taken a journey similar to mine, overcome hardships, found success and is now open to guiding. That's exactly what I do for my mentees who are largely immigrants in USA.

Networking Events, Professional Associations, Online Platforms, Alumni Networks, Industry-specific Groups, Local Workshops and Seminars, Volunteer Opportunities, Company Programs, Coffee Meetings, Informational Interviews, Local Business Events, and Mentorship Platforms are ways to find a mentor in a new city.

When moving to a new city, identifying your goals and connecting with mentors who share your objectives and values can be a strategic approach to not only navigate the transition effectively but also accelerate your personal and professional growth in your new environment.

Agree. 100%. The first thing I always recommend when looking for a mentor is that you must know your WHY. You must have clarity and understand what it is you are seeking to accomplish in the mentor relationship. If you've moved to a new city, ideally you have done this thinking and some research before arriving. Getting crystal clear on what you want to focus on is the first step to finding the right mentor. You may want to learn about the associations, networks and communities in your industry as well, especially the ones linked to your goal or objective. Why first always.

Find companions and not mentors. Moving to a new city is a deeply personal experience, and not a challenge nor an ordeal that one must suffer. Allow yourself to be inspired by the culture, diversity, uniqueness, and beauty of the city you are moving in to rather trying to see it from someone else's perspective. Berlin was new to me when I moved from the US as it was to my husband who is also a German. As soon as I moved here, I joined meetup groups that inspired me (e.g. Shut Up & Write) and attended cultural events, where I happened to meet like-minded people who spoke English. Instead of relying on others, I explored the city and neighboring suburbs on my own gaining first hand insights on the rich and complex history of the city.

Most communities in the US will have a city or region-specific leadership program. They are typically named “Leadership City” such as Leadership Atlanta or Leadership San Diego. These are great programs to find when researching local resources because they can provide instant access to local leaders, potential mentors, and general connections.

If you're an expat who moved to a city in a new country and looking for a local coach/mentor, my first reflex would be to Google them locally but in your own language. The language can be a helpful filter which will weed out right away a lot of local offers that might not suit you yet. To give you a concrete example, I am a bilingual (French, English) coach in Paris, and I'm marketing my services to francophones and anglophones separately. These are distinctly different categories of clients for me, with their unique needs and specificities.

The best is to start with LinkedIn, Meet Up, InterNations that allow you to access local communities to build your own network. Rely on your colleagues - they maybe able to help you to access ready networks - filter down your needs and comforts and then decide to create your own network.

One way to begin is by taking part in nearby networking events, and attending industry meetings or relevant workshops. Take the initiative to introduce yourself and express your eagerness to gain knowledge from seasoned experts. LinkedIn can be utilized for outreach purposes, allowing you to connect with professionals within your new locality and communicate regarding your interest in acquiring mentorship. Further expanding one's network can involve joining community groups or virtual forums while it pays off not being shy about requesting advice as well.

Moving to a new city is like starting a new chapter – full of opportunities. To find a mentor, kick off your journey with curiosity. Attend local events, grab a virtual coffee with professionals in your field, or join community groups. Be genuine, share your story, and let connections grow organically. In a new city, your mentor could be a meet-up away. Embrace the adventure!

I have moved more than 5 times from Singapore to the UAE then the US, Canada and Saudi Arabia. Linkedin has always be my choice of social network platform, and many of my local networks and mentors has been through introduction made by my connections on Linkedin. It certainly helps to have a mentor when you move to a new country as their insights on local nuances can help you quickly adjust your approach based on the culture of the country and organizations.

I have moved many times in my life and this is what I feel is the best way to go about reaching out to a new mentor and networking: When reaching out to potential mentors, it's essential to craft a thoughtful and personalized message that goes beyond a generic introduction. Start by expressing genuine interest in their work and accomplishments, highlighting specific aspects that resonate with you. I feel that the key to successful networking is building authentic relationships based on mutual respect and a genuine exchange of ideas. Approach each interaction with curiosity and openness, recognizing the potential for mentorship to be a two-way street where both parties can learn and grow.

Like most things in life, relationships matter. Connection matters. Community matters. Keeping communication flowing is key. It honors the time and effort that you and your mentor have put into the mentoring relationship, it builds more trust, and it has the potential to also pay off in other ways such as job recommendations.

I agree with these tips. Clear communication is so important, but be sure to answer that age-old question, "What's in it for me?" by also including how the mentor could benefit from the relationship. I believe that good mentoring relationships benefit both the mentor and the mentee.

Discovering a valuable mentor can sometimes elude individuals simply because they haven't taken the initiative to ask. The fear of rejection, often the worst-case scenario, holds many back. While this advice may initially appear straightforward, the journey to building and enriching our supportive community requires intentional steps. This involves actively stepping out of one's comfort zone, seeking assistance, and proactively requesting guidance or mentorship. You can do it!

Why is it necessary to find a mentor in a new city? Everything is virtual today, so one can have a mentor anywhere in the world. I'd concentrate more on the type of mentor you are looking for than their location. How often do you plan on having coffee with them? Probably never.

Don’t rush! That’s the advise of the wise! You need mentors, yes, more than that you need to establish your own foundations first, when moving to a new city, country or even a new organisation. Your foundations will help you recognize your needs in a new place, let internal to external be the focus. Once you are sure about yourself, you will know where to look around and who to look for.

Network locally: Attend local events, meetups, and networking sessions to connect with professionals in your new city. Online platforms: Utilise online mentorship platforms and professional networks to find mentors in your new location. Seek recommendations: Ask colleagues, acquaintances, or friends in the area for mentorship recommendations. Attend industry events: Participate in industry-specific events and conferences to meet potential mentors who share your professional interests. Be proactive: Approach potential mentors directly with a clear and concise request, expressing your interest in their guidance.

To conclude everything is one point: Always select the type of mentor who has gone the way that you intend to follow. Otherwise, you can't say if the proposed way is helping you to reach your goals.

- Attend local events and join professional groups - Use social media to connect with professionals - Explore mentorship programs in the community - Ask for recommendations from colleagues - Attend workshops or conferences to expand your network - Express genuine interest in learning from experienced individuals in the new city