A mentor can instruct how and where to make contact. A mentor will provide a seasoned perspective on the hiring situation of the job seeker. A mentor can teach the skills that he or she employs in nurturing a network that they have established. Mentors have their reasons for involving themselves in these relationships too. Assuming the role of mentor provides another way for them to expand their contacts and build expertise.
Every contact has value and potential, even new and inexperienced contacts.
Bruce's story is a good example of how quickly a career can change. The ability to broaden the network to include people in emerging areas of business only underscores the real savvy a mentor may have. In addition, through their teaching efforts a mentor helps develop candidates that can be useful in either their own professional pursuits or the endeavors of people in their own networks. This is the real benefit for a job seeker and the mentor. The mentor may not have a job for them but chances are they may know of a potential match that would serve both the job seeker and a network contact.