This checklist will help you make a good first impression, help you figure out what this mentoring thing is all about, and instil some spark in your mentoring relationship.
If you haven’t already:
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Peruse your mentee's digital professional profile.
Check out their LinkedIn profile, and if they have it, their other social media accounts or blog. -
Send through a quick bio or intro via Mentorloop chat.
Give them a bit of background on your career and some tidbits about yourself to break the ice. -
Ask them to introduce themselves
If they haven't already, ask them to send you a short bio and tell you which areas they'd like your insight on.
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Consider your own experience and strengths
Have a think about what you can bring into this relationship. Most of the time, we have more to offer than we initially think.
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Consider what you want to get out of this relationship
Mentors can gain so many great things from being one - mentoring is always a two-way street.
During your first meeting:
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Set the parameters
Get the housekeeping out of the way early. Talk about how often you're available to meet, how you prefer to communicate, etc.
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Introductions!
Give your mentee a more in-depth overview of your experience and career highlights and ask them to do the same.
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Why are you here?
Let your mentee know why you're offering your time and share how mentors have helped you along the way.
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Make sure you're getting it right
Make sure you come away with a clear idea of what your mentee is looking for so you can start planning how you can best guide them.
After your first meeting:
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Review and reflect
Consider what you discussed, review your mentee's meeting wrap-up and send some additional feedback if applicable.
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Share some resources
Now that you have some idea of what your mentee wants and needs, share some relevant blogs or podcasts to get them started.
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Encourage your mentee to schedule your next catch up
If your mentee hasn't tried to schedule your next meeting after a few days, they might be feeling a bit shy - reach out!
Who doesn't love a PDF checklist? Take a peek and click to download!