3 excellent ways to approach a mentor

by Staff Writer: Career | Aug 2, 2018

How to approach a mentor

Finding a mentor is a difficult but important task. However once you've identified your ideal mentor, you still need to work out how to ask. Here are some tips on how to approach a mentor.

Everyone knows that Mentors are invaluable not just to career progression, but to well.. life itself! There are so many important lessons to be learned if you have the right role model to help you navigate the complexities of the workplace. But it’s not always easy to find a suitable mentor or to build up the courage to approach a mentor, especially one who ticks all the boxes for your self-development and career progression.

You might be looking for a mentor with sector knowledge and experience, in a position to give constructive feedback about your career with a potentially strategic network. This can be daunting. The very thought can put a lot of women off. But read on to find out some key tips on how to approach a mentor.

approach a mentor

It can be difficult to identify a perfect mentor who could be the right match for you. However 3Plus has a wide range of mentors with a wealth of experience. Find out more HERE.

Here are some key tips to approach a mentor

#1 Make an enthusiastic but appropriate introduction

Nothing is guaranteed to turn anyone off more than a gushing lengthy email of admiration. Keep it short, sweet and real. Reference valid reasons why you think this person would be a great mentor for you. Maybe you have seen a presentation, met them briefly at an event, read an article or post they wrote and have been inspired and motivated to contact them personally. Convey how special their experience would be and how it could add value to you.

#2 Offer reciprocal added value

Share how you are willing to support or assist your mentor in some way, no matter how small. Present yourself as someone who can add value rather than a person who is desperate and needy. Offer support in a project or other general assistance.

#3 Understand that a mentor is a gift

Having a great mentor is a gift. Describe briefly what you are hoping for in any mentoring relationship and why that person would be ideal. You can mention you have a mentoring plan with clear goals and values, but don’t share the detail with them yet. Indicate it is time-bound. Propose a short Skype call or meeting to present your vision to them. Mentors are usually senior and therefore busy. So be respectful of their time and schedules.

There are two possible outcomes:

Sorry but… this is not your moment. Accept the situation graciously and ask if you can stay in touch and perhaps they recommend someone else with a similar background to whom they can refer you.
I would be delighted... accept with enthusiasm without going over the top and do your best to fit into their schedules to go to the next level.

Make sure you are well prepared and download the 3Plus eBook Make the Most of Mentoring to manage your expectations. A mentoring relationship is driven by the Mentee so you have to get it right.

Staff Writer: Career Contributor

3Plus welcomes any writers to join 3Plus as a Staff Writer. If you are an expert in Job Search, Career and Mentoring or just want to share your experiences, contact us! We would love to give you a voice!

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