How to Find a Mentor in HR
Fri 17 Jan 2025

Emily Allen
Product Manager - CIPD
For anyone who’s working towards a CIPD Human Resources qualification – or starting out in the HR industry - finding a mentor can be a game-changer when it comes to getting top insights, making connections, and developing the skills and traits you really need to succeed.
Experienced HR mentors can get you access to expert guidance, perspectives, and practical advice that’s hard to find in a textbook or training course alone.
With the right HR mentor by your side, you’ll be able to solve complex workplace challenges, polish your approach, and become a confident decision-maker.
In this blog, we’ll talk about what makes a great mentor in HR and, most importantly, how to find one who’ll support you and your HR career growth.
We’ll review how to spot a quality mentor, how to approach them, and key steps to help you build a supportive and rewarding professional relationship with them.
How to find a HR mentor
To find a HR mentor, start by thinking about what you need help with – do you want to grow your skill set, make better decisions, keep up with changing HR trends, or grow your network?
Our CIPD Human Resources courses are an ideal way to get started, as you’ll find yourself connected with a community of HR professionals and expert tutors. Our courses open some incredible doors when it comes to networking opportunities; from online forums to in-person events and 121's with HR educators.
Whilst you complete your CIPD course, don’t forget to get involved with HR events, connect with HR professionals on LinkedIn, or look out for HR mentorship programmes near you.
Once you’ve spotted someone who seems like a good fit, all that’s left to do is reach out with a friendly and professional message about what you’re looking for from your mentor.
A truly great HR mentor can make a massive difference in the course of your career journey, so it’s well worth the effort to seek one out – let’s get started!
"Having a HR mentor has made such a difference for me. It’s amazing to have someone who’s been there, done that, and can share real advice when I need it. My mentor’s helped me handle tough situations and shown me new ways to grow in my career. It’s just great knowing someone’s got your back and wants to see you do well!"
What is a HR mentor?
A HR mentor is someone who’s experienced in the HR industry and who guides you through your career journey, giving you access to knowledge and insights to help you grow as a HR professional.
When you have a HR mentor, you can get insider advice from someone who’s been in your shoes, who can give you pointers and encouragement that can make all the difference in your day-to-day working life.
Having a mentor in HR can give you some great opportunities to pick up practical skills and make better decisions, with an experienced professional on-hand to offer advice and help you thrive in your role.
What does a HR mentor do?
HR mentors can offer insider advice and guidance for loads of different scenarios – here are a few examples:
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Skill building: If you’re looking for a masterclass in recruitment, employee relations, or employee development, a HR mentor can give you tips about best practice and provide hands-on advice from their own experiences.
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Handling complex issues: Does the thought of mediating a tense employee conflict or complicated workplace situation feel daunting? A HR mentor has been there and will help you approach sensitive issues with confidence.
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Career advice: Since they have more experience in the HR industry, a mentor can give you some really valuable pointers about potential careers and help you get on the path to your long-term career goals.
HR mentoring vs. HR coaching
Though they might seem similar, HR mentoring and HR coaching are two different things, with different purposes.
Mentoring in HR is all about giving long-term guidance and support for the growth and development of the mentee.
On the other hand, HR coaching is more focused on specific goals or skill gaps, normally using set frameworks and techniques to get you to a particular goal or outcome.
A HR coach will help you improve on a specific area of your work, while a HR mentor takes a holistic approach to support your overall professional development.
The benefits of having a HR mentor
Having a HR mentor can accelerate your growth, in ways that you wouldn’t see in textbooks or training courses.
Mentors don’t just give direct career advice, they can encourage you, boost your confidence, offer valuable perspectives, challenge your approaches, and inspire you to think outside the box.
They’re also great for providing a sense of accountability, motivating you to stay on track to achieve your goals with insights they’ve collected from years of experience in the HR industry.
There are so many reasons why having a HR mentor can transform your working life for the better – here are just a few:
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Access to expert guidance and support
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Opportunity to learn from their experiences
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Get exclusive insights into the HR industry
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Unique and valuable networking links
How to find the right HR mentor
So, you understand what a HR mentor does and why they’re great – but how do you find one?
Finding a HR mentor is all about looking for someone who’s experienced, eager to help, and understands your career goals.
One of the best ways to find quality HR mentor candidates is through completing a CIPD professional qualification. At MOL, our HR CIPD qualifications put you in contact with expert HR professionals, who can become invaluable HR mentors.
Our courses give you access to a thriving community of industry masters, online platforms, and events - making it easier than ever to find a fantastic candidate for your HR mentor.
Once you’ve enrolled in a CIPD course, be sure to take advantage of the top HR events, connect with professionals on LinkedIn, and look out for mentorship programmes near you – such as the CIPD Trust mentoring schemes.
Remember to look for someone with relevant experience, excellent communication skills, and a real interest in helping you grow.
How to approach a HR mentorship
Once you’ve found a potential mentor, all that’s left to do is get in touch. Here’s how:
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Introduce yourself: send a friendly, polite message to introduce yourself and express your interest in learning from them.
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Explain your goals: give them a brief rundown of what you’d like to achieve through HR mentorship and why you think they’d be a great fit.
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Respect their time: senior HR professionals are always busy with something! Make it clear that you’re flexible and respect their time – be sure to set realistic expectations for your meetings and don’t come across as demanding.
Maintaining a supporting HR mentorship
Having a strong and respectful relationship with your HR mentor will be absolutely essential for your long-term growth and success.
Check in with them regularly, share progress updates, celebrate your wins, and thank them for their help! This will foster a mutually supportive relationship that’s rewarding for both of you.
Start your HR journey with MOL
Finding the right HR mentor is a massive step for your career development, setting you up with guidance, tools, and connections to grow in your role and the industry as a whole.
If you’re ready to take the first step, enrolling in a CIPD Human Resources qualification from MOL is the perfect way to learn new skills and meet experts in HR who can support you along the way.
Don’t wait – contact us today and find a HR mentor who’ll help you reach your goals!

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