A mentor relationship can be a valuable asset to your career. Unlike a coaching relationship, a mentor takes a holistic approach, looking at your overall career development. Mentors show up for you in moments of high stress or when you’re faced with making tough decisions. Because these relationships are situational, they can last for several years. Throughout those years, you’ll develop personally and professionally so you’ll need to understand how to maintain that relationship over time.

Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your mentor relationship:

Be clear about your goals.

Mentors provide you with guidance, support, and advice, helping you to achieve your goals and reach your full potential. Ask yourself: What do I hope to achieve through a mentoring relationship? Once you have identified specific goals, you can start to look for a mentor who can help you reach them.

Find a mentor who is a good fit for you.

Consider your mentor’s experience, skills, and personality. Finding a good fit can take time. You may find someone with a great personality, but they may not have the experience or skills to help you reach your goals. Having someone you feel comfortable with and someone you can trust are key factors in choosing the right mentor. Be open to exploring uncommon relationships. A good mentor can have a different cultural experience and background, yet still add value to your career progression.

Be open and honest with your mentor.

Don’t hold back. Be as vulnerable as you can be when sharing your goals, challenges, and success stories. The more open you are, the more your mentor can help you. Transparency is the key to having a valuable relationship with your mentor. It may be scary at first, but your genuineness will help your mentor walk you through tough decisions while keeping your experiences in mind.

Be willing to listen.

Your mentor has a lot of experience and knowledge to share. Don’t spend time debating or questioning their advice. Be willing to listen to feedback and apply what you feel is best for your situation.

Be proactive.

Don’t wait for your mentor to come to you with help. Take the initiative to reach out to them when you need guidance.

Set regular meetings.

Don’t let a lot of time pass without reaching out to touch base. It’s important to set recurring meetings with your mentor so that you can stay on track and make progress toward your goals.

Be prepared for your meetings.

Before each meeting, take some time to think about what you want to discuss. Reflect on previous conversations and prepare to have substantive discussions with your mentor.

Take notes.

During your meetings, take notes so that you can remember what was discussed. This will also help you to complete any action items that were assigned. Your mentor will need to know you are putting their advice to use. Remember, your mentor has some skin in the game, too. The success of your relationship matters to them as much as it does to you.

Follow up.

After each meeting, prioritize time to follow up on any action items that were assigned. This shows your mentor that you are serious about your goals and that you are willing to put in the work to achieve them.

Be grateful.

Show your mentor how much you appreciate their help. A simple thank-you can go a long way. Take time to learn more about them and note any challenges they share. There is a chance you have a skill or a resource that may be valuable to them as well.