How to Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor

If you’re wondering how to ask someone to be your mentor, you’re in the right place.

Maybe you’re not sure how to start looking, or perhaps you’ve found someone great but don’t know how to ask them to be your mentor. Learning how to find and approach a mentor isn’t as difficult as it might seem. Keep on reading to discover how to connect with a mentor who’s right for you.

Finding a Mentor: Where to Start

Finding the right mentor is a bit like finding the perfect pair of shoes. They need to fit your needs, match your style and carry you forward with confidence. But before you navigate how to ask someone to be your mentor, it’s wise to understand exactly what you’re looking for.

• Are you facing a career change and need guidance?
• Are you after some expertise to polish your professional skills?
• Are you trying to balance work and personal life and are seeking support from someone who’s been in your shoes?
• Are you looking for someone who can listen to your ideas and act as a dependable guide to help you make tough choices?

Knowing what you want from a mentor will increase your chances of finding someone you can click with, creating a genuine connection that benefits both parties. Take a moment to reflect on your needs and, when you’re ready, don’t hesitate to take the next step to find the perfect person to guide you.

How to Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor by Email

If you’ve found the perfect mentor and are planning to reach out via email, you might be wondering how to craft the perfect message that’s both friendly and professional. Here’s our advice on how to ask someone to be your mentor via email to catch their attention and leave them wanting to meet you:

• Start with an engaging subject line. Consider something intriguing like ‘Seeking Your Expertise and Guidance’. This will grab their attention without being overly formal.
• Introduce yourself briefly. Share who you are, what you do, and how you came across them. If you met them at a networking event, or admire their work, say that. Be straightforward but personable.
• Explain why you’re reaching out. Express your admiration for their work and explain why you’re looking for their help. Do you want help with your CV? Maybe some guidance in helping you smash an interview? Let them know.
• Don’t be too direct. Simply asking ‘Will you be my mentor?’, especially if the person doesn’t know you, probably won’t go down well. Try asking for a quick call or coffee so that you can introduce yourself and ask some questions of your potential mentor. You might find they’re not right for you after all.
• Keep it conversational. Although it’s an email, try to write as you’d speak – it’ll make the email feel more personal and less like a business proposal.
• Politely make your request. Close with a clear and polite ask. Check their availability and schedule a time to meet.
• Follow-up. If you don’t receive a response within a reasonable time, consider sending a polite follow-up email. Remember, people are busy and emails can be missed.
• Be professional. Remember to maintain professional politeness, such as addressing them by their proper title if applicable and signing off appropriately.

How to Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor In Person

There’s something uniquely compelling about face-to-face interactions. A smile or a firm handshake often speaks louder than endless streams of emails. It can be a bit daunting to approach someone directly to be your mentor, but just like those weekend chats at your local café or starting a conversation with a stranger at a networking event, the key is to be genuine, relaxed and, most importantly, be yourself. Let’s dive into some strategies for how to ask someone to be your mentor IRL that’ll give you the confidence to stride up there and spark a conversation that could kickstart a fantastic mentor-mentee relationship.

• Choose the right setting. Networking events, conferences and your workplace are all pretty good places to approach your potential mentor. If they seem busy or are preoccupied with something else, wait until the time feels right. Respect work-life boundaries and don’t approach them outside of work, unless they’re somewhere in a professional capacity.
• Be genuine and honest. Start the conversation with genuine compliments about their work or achievements. Demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and truly value their expertise.
• Warm up with small talk. Talk about something you both might have in common, like a recent industry event or a shared interest. It can set a comfortable tone for the rest of the conversation.
• Share your story. Briefly discuss where you are in your career journey. Are you navigating a career change or looking to refine your skills?
• Ask open-ended questions. Instead of just talking about yourself, engage them with questions. This’ll help create a deeper connection and give you insights into their journey.
• Listen actively. Nod, maintain eye contact and show that you’re fully present in the conversation. Looking bored or distracted is a surefire way for your potential mentor to quickly lose interest.
• Express your intent clearly. Gently steer the conversation toward why you think they’d be able to help you. Highlight specifics to make it clear you’re not just approaching anyone and everyone.
• Respect their time. Keep the conversation brief unless they’re willing to continue. If they seem busy or preoccupied, suggest catching up at a more convenient time
• Be thankful. Regardless of their response, thank them for their time and the conversation. A positive attitude can leave a lasting impression.

How to Find a Mentor on LinkedIn

With millions of professionals from various sectors congregated in one place, LinkedIn gives you the unique opportunity to seek out individuals who can guide you through your career journey. Wondering how to find a mentor on LinkedIn? Here are a few tips:

1. Use Keywords to Refine Your Search

Input terms related to your target industry or skill set to pinpoint ideal mentors. This ensures you’re connecting with professionals who resonate with your professional objectives.

2. Try Different Filters

Narrow down your search further by employing LinkedIn’s filter options, such as location, current employer or industry, to find a closer match to your criteria.

3. Examine Profiles Thoroughly

When you land on a potential mentor’s profile, don’t just skim through it, delve deep. Look for details like:

• Experience: how many years have they spent in the industry? A longer tenure often indicates the depth of knowledge and understanding of industry trends and changes.
• Robust profile summary: a comprehensive profile summary indicates a serious LinkedIn user. Look for clear descriptions of their expertise, achievements and passions.
• Professional development: evidence of continued learning, like courses and certifications, shows they’re dedicated to staying updated in their field.
• Endorsements and recommendations: do their peers endorse them for certain skills? This can be a strong indicator of their credibility and impact in their domain.
• Content sharing: do they regularly share insightful posts, articles or comments? It suggests that they’re active and committed to sharing knowledge in their industry. Dig a bit deeper to see if they’ve shared something that resonates with your values, goals or interests to ensure a compatible mentor-mentee relationship.
• Connections: a potential mentor with a vast network could have a lot to offer in terms of introductions and insights.

4. Join LinkedIn Groups

Active members in industry-specific groups on LinkedIn are passionate about their fields and are open to discussions. Joining such groups will allow you to get a closer look at potential mentors and how they interact.

How to Approach a Mentor on LinkedIn: Dos and Don’ts

When it comes to how to approach a mentor on LinkedIn, it’s important to remember the subtle etiquette that can make or break that first impression. Let’s ensure you’re making all the right moves with these dos and don’ts.

Do:

• Have a complete profile: before reaching out, make sure your own LinkedIn profile is complete, updated and professionally appealing. A potential mentor is more likely to engage if they can quickly gauge your background and aspirations.
• Personalise your message: always tailor your message. Mention a specific detail from their profile or a post they’ve shared to show that you’ve genuinely taken an interest in them.
• Be transparent about your intent: clearly state why you’re reaching out. Being upfront can create a foundation of trust.
• Show respect: always acknowledge that they’re taking time out of their busy schedule to read your message. Thank them in advance for considering your request.
• Engage with their content: interact with their posts. This not only shows genuine interest, but also helps in making your name familiar to them before you make the mentorship ask.
• Ask for a short initial meeting: propose a brief introductory call or meeting, making it easier for them to say yes. It shows you value their time and want to establish a genuine connection.

Don’t:

• Send generic messages: avoid using copy-paste templates. People can easily sense insincerity and it’s a quick way to get your message ignored.
• Be pushy: if they don’t respond immediately, give them some time. Everyone has their commitments and being overly aggressive will turn them off.
• Make demands: remember you’re seeking their guidance and expertise. Phrase your requests politely and avoid sounding entitled.
• Overload with information: while it’s essential to provide context, keep your initial message concise. Share just enough to pique their interest and open the door for deeper conversations.
• Neglect follow-ups: if they show interest or respond, don’t leave them hanging. Show enthusiasm and gratitude and establish the next steps promptly.
• Discuss money immediately: while some mentorship relationships may eventually involve some form of compensation, it’s not appropriate to bring it up in your initial approach. Focus on the relationship and mutual benefits first.

Find a Mentor with Career Navig8r

If you’re looking for a mentor to help you reach your full potential in your chosen career, Career Navig8r is a great place to start. Use the search function to find a mentor who’s done your job role in the past and then use the filters to narrow down potential mentors further.

Once you’ve found your ideal mentor, drop them a message or request a free discovery session to make sure they’re the right person to help you.

When you’re satisfied your mentor can help, it’s time to book your first full meeting with them and start your journey to career success. With our easy-to-use mentoring platform, there’s no need to worry about how to ask someone to be your mentor. Sign up and get started today.