If you're feeling lost in your career, or simply want to take your professional life to the next level, developing a relationship with a mentor is one of the best ways to get real-world advice from someone who has already navigated the course you're currently on. Whenever you're ready to take the plunge, here are 5 tried-and-true tips for finding a mentor (and what to ask when you do):

1. Consider what you want out of a mentor-mentee relationship.

Before you even begin the search for the perfect mentor, it's critical to zero in on what exactly you expect out of your potential mentor. The best way to start is to sit down and make a list of your expectations so that you can clearly articulate them once you pitch your potential candidates. How often do you plan to meet? Who will take on the financial obligations? What are you hoping to learn and achieve? Are you looking for a longterm or a short-term commitment? What are your ultimate career goals and why do you think this mentor is the right fit?

Remember: it's important to recognize that what you're asking for is kind of a Big Deal and can be a major time commitment. Although many professionals will be prepared to take on this level of commitment, it's still your responsibility to effectively share your expectations before any formal agreement is made.

2. Do your research.

The best way to find a mentor, if you don't already have someone specific in mind, is to take to LinkedIn's Advanced Search feature (related: 5 Need-to-Know LinkedIn Hacks). Through LinkedIn, there are a few different types of people you can search for: individuals within your firm or company, individuals who are in your field and in a position you one day aspire to have, or thought leaders outside of your industry that you admire.

Let's say you don't have anyone in mind, but you know that you're looking for someone within your industry. In LinkedIn, put the job function of your ideal mentor in the keyword field (ex. "attorney") and place your zip code in the location field (ex. "San Francisco"). Immediately, you'll be introduced to hundreds of possible mentors; all that's left to do is poke around their profiles until you find 5-10 people that you're willing to reach out to.

3. Prepare your pitch (and be specific in your ask).

Ditch the formal email ask and go for something a little more creative in your pitch (the former can be a more than slightly overwhelming when it comes out of the blue). Most importantly, come to the table prepared to discuss the expectations you've set for this relationship. You should be able to make your case for why you're confident that this individual is the mentor you're looking for.

Pro Tip: If you don't already have a strong relationship with the person you're looking to ask, it's wise to start out with an informational interview or simple "coffee date" before you decide that this person is The One.

4. Know what you have to offer the potential mentor.

Hopefully this is painfully obvious, but (1) no mentor-mentee relationship should be one-sided and (2) you should always have something to offer to your mentor in return for his/her investment in your success. Your offer could be as simple as, if your mentor is less tech-savvy, revamping their social media profiles (related: How to Use the New Facebook Profile as a Marketing Tool) or, if you're handy with LinkedIn, helping them update their profile. Even if your mentor never takes you up on your offer, you should aim to never stop being helpful and insightful whenever possible

5. Show your appreciation and be creative about it.

Once you receive the much-anticipated YES from your mentor, the last thing you want to do is bore them to death with endless coffee meetings and emails where you do nothing but ask for advice. Instead, mix it up and try something fun: an exercise class, lunch or dinner at a new restaurant, attend a networking event, or even attend a professional development workshop together. Stepping outside of your usual routine to do something interesting will help you and your mentor bond in an entirely new way (and give you something to talk about).

Whatever you do, aim to develop an authentic relationship with your mentor, asking questions that explore their personality outside of the realm of work. For example, how do they spend the majority of their non-working hours? Do they have any hobbies or interests? Getting to know your mentor on a personal level is an essential part of building a relationship that feels far from forced.

Do you have any other tips for finding a mentor that will help you expand your professional opportunities? Let us know in the comments below or Tweet us @meruscase!