How do you talk to a mentor for the first time?

How to Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor Schedule an initial conversation. Clearly describe the guidance you are looking for (The Ask). Confirm your willingness to do the necessary work and follow up. Recognize and respect the person's time.

One of the easiest ways to establish a good relationship is for the mentor and the mentee to exchange professional stories. When you first meet your mentor or mentee, ask them a lot of questions. Ask them about their life, their career, their ambitions and their hopes for the future. The more you know each other, the easier it will be to identify areas where you can help each other grow.

This may seem counterintuitive, but it works; when you set the bar low, you're much more likely to achieve your goals and end up being your mentor or mentee. With a structured approach to establishing a good relationship, setting expectations, and discussing the mentoring topics most relevant to you, you're ready for your first meeting with mentors. If your mentor or mentee feels that they can trust you and trust you, it will go a long way to solidifying the bond between you. These are just a few examples.

Ultimately, it's up to you and your mentor or mentee to decide what limits are necessary and appropriate. The good news on the day of the meeting is that all that's left to do is relax, meet your mentor or mentee, and talk about the expectations of others. By following the tips below, you can create a productive and positive relationship with your mentor or mentee that will last for months (or even years). With powerful progress tracking features and customizable templates, Together makes it easy to manage mentoring programs of any size.

In the case of trainees, these could be questions about the mentor's experiences in leadership positions or about how they overcame certain challenges in their field. This involves not just listening to what your mentor or mentee says, but actually listening and trying to understand their perspective. Both the mentor and the mentee should be equally dedicated to making it work; if you constantly give more than you receive, it's time to have an honest conversation about what isn't working. That's why, in the following sections, we'll discuss in more detail how to establish a good relationship, mentor, and set expectations.

Mentoring helps guide people through the unknown as they embark on a new working relationship with someone and trying to find a career path. The first meeting with your mentor or mentee can seem like an overwhelming and, in fact, pivotal event.