You’re coming up on your first introduction to your new Circuit mentor!
Here’s everything you need to know and do to get the most out of this initial meeting:
Before the Meeting:
Desired Outcome: Be prepared for the meeting to ensure productivity.
Reflect on your goals.
Ask yourself what you’re looking to give and gain from establishing this new relationship. Write this down and be prepared to share with your mentor.
Consider your timeline for development.
Within the next year, which goals can you accomplish? Which can you start but not finish? Which may not fit into your timeline? Having an understanding of what you’d like to and can accomplish will be important feedback for your mentor when you meet.
Send your resume.
You can streamline your initial conversation if you don’t have to start from ground zero. Consider sharing your updated resume, CV or a bio with your mentor prior to your first meeting so they have a better understanding of where you’ve been (and where you’re looking to go).
Confirm the meeting.
A few days before you’re scheduled to meet, send a quick confirmation email, text or call to be sure you’re appointment is still a go.
During the Meeting:
Desired Outcome: Get to know your mentor and vice versa.
Introduce yourself.
By now, your mentor has already read your resume or bio, but take a moment to explain who you are, what you do and why you’re at where you are in your life and career. Remember, you only have to share what you’re comfortable with.
Ask them about their career journey.
You were matched with your mentor based on professional capability, so it’s very likely that you have more in common than you may think! You may be in a place in your career that they’ve already overcome. Take a moment to find that connection.
Tell them what you’re looking to develop.
Share with your mentor that goals that you reflected on prior to this meeting, and explain why those are important to you.
Set ground rules.
Are there any topics that you or your mentor aren’t comfortable with? When’s the best time (or worst time) to contact you? Do you want to meet more than just quarterly? What is your preferred method of communication? All great things to discuss at this first meeting.
Develop goals for this new professional relationship.
Your mentor will be able to help you establish next steps to get you where you want to be. Toward the end of your conversation, try discussing what that looks like. You don’t have to a complete map drawn out yet, but at least know where your starting line is.
After the Meeting:
Desired Outcome: Define a path forward.
Reflect on your meeting.
Did you accomplish what you wanted to from your first meeting with your mentor? Did you define next steps to start or continue your journey? Is there more information you need to share or gather? This is a great time to be thinking about what to prepare for with your next meeting.
Follow up and schedule your next meeting.
Using your mentor’s preferred method of contact, follow up to schedule your next meeting.
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The Circuit allows you the space to maneuver the relationship with your mentor however you see fit. Please use the above information as a guide, but know that you have the freedom to define what that looks like for you and your mentor.
Whatever you do at your first mentor meeting, remember to have fun, be open to feedback, and enjoy yourself. This is your opportunity for one-on-one conversation about your career, passion, and goals. Take advantage of it!
Not a member of the Circuit but want to be? Register online now!
