Find a Mentor Through Your Networks (Part 3): The Right Way to Invite Someone

A mentorship can be extremely beneficial, especially for your career. And it’s to your advantage to embrace the opportunity.

In Part 1 of our Find a Mentor Through Your Networks series, we discussed how valuable it is to partner with one. In Part 2 you learned what to consider when choosing your mentor.

Now it’s time to invite someone – and here’s the right way to do it.

Schedule Time

Reach out to your potential mentor and schedule a time for your discussion.

Let them know from the start that you are interested in speaking with them about the possibility of a mentorship.

This will help them be prepared for the conversation and not be caught off guard, which should lead to a productive discussion. No one likes to be put on the spot! Especially for something as important as this.

Make It Personal

When scheduling a time, make a plan for a face-to-face meeting or to speak over the phone. This is a must!

While current circumstances may limit in-person interactions, there are many online resources and video chatting services available you can utilize.

The idea is for it to be personal, even if it’s a virtual conversation. Conveying a message as important as this can be challenging to do through an email, and may not be as effective.

Prepare For The Discussion

The date and time are set, now what?

Get in the right mindset and consider what exactly you’ll talk about. You should prepare ahead of time, which will help the conversation go smoothly. You want them to say yes! And you want them to feel good about saying it.

For your mentorship to be successful, there must be clear communication from the start. Here are a few topics you should cover:

Why you want a mentor

Are you looking to change careers and need guidance? Have you started up a small business and looking for direction? Are you interested in developing your networking skills from someone who has mastered it?

Discuss exactly why you want a mentor. This shows you’ve done your homework and have put some real thought into the potential partnership. It also demonstrates your understanding of how a mentorship should work, which makes you look organized and leave a good impression.

What exactly you’re looking to achieve

What are your ultimate goals?

Be straightforward about your objectives and how willing you are to reach them. This relationship needs to be effective and goal-oriented from the start. And you must set and manage expectations.

Lay everything out in the open to ensure you’re both on the same page. Let them know just how committed you are! And that you’re ready to make every effort to fulfill a successful mentoring journey.

How much time is requested

Discuss the time you possibly need from them. Talk about how often you should speak or meet.

Set a regular schedule to check-in. Decide on the best ways to communicate about certain topics. Sometimes a quick email will do, other times a face-to-face conversation may lead to a more productive outcome.

Remember to always be considerate! They’re giving up their own free time to help you.

Why you chose them

It’s nice to be asked, and it’s even nicer to know why!

What was it about this person that made you select them over individuals in your networks as your possible mentor?

Let them know what it is that makes them stand out to you. (Hint: be original. Try to identify something that is not so obvious to others!) 

Convey the potential value

Discuss how it’s wise to invest in the success of others. When those within your networks prosper, so do you!

But don’t just talk about the value they can provide for you. There must be reciprocity. Your mentor should be learning from you, too.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Winston Churchill

You need to have a plan when inviting someone to be your mentor. This is something you should prepare for in order for it to be productive. Follow these steps to do it the right way and help it go smoothly! And this will hopefully lead to a successful mentorship.

Learn How to Partner with a Mentor

Are you interested in partnering with a mentor? If you’re changing careers or pursuing a new job role, or starting a small business and seek guidance from a leader in your industry, then you should!

Collaborating with a mentor expands your opportunities. And when you enroll in our certification program and become a NetWorkWise Certified Professional (NWW-CP), you’ll learn how to build and maintain the right relationships to help you develop a successful mentorship.

This course teaches you ways to cultivate connections with people who will guide you in reaching your goals. And once complete, you receive credentials validating you as a networking expert.

Sign up today and get NetWorkWise Certified! You will soon see the rewards of making long-lasting and meaningful relationships that offer mutual value and significant benefits.

This is Part 3 in the NetWorkWise Find a Mentor Through Your Networks series