Finding a mentor is only the first step. Strong mentoring relationships are built through regular communication, curiosity and commitment from both people.
Your mentor has volunteered their time to help you, so staying engaged and making the most of the opportunity is important. Here are some simple ways to be a proactive mentee.
Take the Initiative
Don’t wait for your mentor to always message first. Whether you’ve just connected or have been mentoring for a few months, it’s fine to start the conversation.
Share an update, ask a question or let them know what you’re working on. Mentoring is something you actively take part in.
Reply to Messages
If your mentor answers a question, reviews your CV or arranges a call, try to reply – even if it’s just to say thank you.
A quick response shows you appreciate their time. If you’re busy, a short message saying you’ll reply properly later is better than disappearing altogether.
Keep Your Mentor Updated
Your mentor wants to know how you’re getting on. Let them know when you’ve:
- Submitted an application
- Had an interview
- Attended an assessment centre
- Received feedback
- Accepted a job offer
- Changed your career plans
These updates help your mentor give more relevant advice and celebrate your progress.
Come Prepared
Before messaging or arranging a video call, think about what you’d like to get from the conversation. Having a few questions ready makes discussions more useful.
Some questions you could ask include:
Skills and Growth:
- What skills have helped you the most?
- What skills should graduates be developing now?
- How do you continue learning?
Applications and Interviews:
- How could I improve my CV?
- How should I prepare for interviews?
- What mistakes do graduates commonly make?
Career development:
- What helped you get to where you are today?
- What were some key turning points in your career?
- How did you decide what career was right for you?
Turn Advice Into Action
One of the best ways to show you value your mentor’s support is to act on their advice.
If they suggest improving your LinkedIn profile, updating your CV or practising interview questions, give it a go. At your next conversation, tell them what you did and what happened.
Mentoring works best when advice leads to action.
Use the Video Call Feature
Sometimes it’s easier to talk than type. Graduate Mentor has a built-in video-calling feature, so you can meet without sharing personal contact details.
A short video call can be useful for:
- Mock interviews
- CV feedback
- Career planning
- Application advice
- General career conversations
Don’t be afraid to ask your mentor if they’d be happy to arrange one.
Respect Your Mentor's Time
Most mentors volunteer alongside their own work and personal commitments, so they may not reply immediately.
If you haven’t heard back after a few days, a polite follow-up is fine. If you’ve arranged a meeting, make sure you attend or give plenty of notice if you need to rearrange.
Being reliable helps build trust.
Key Takeaways
To get the most from your mentoring relationship:
- Take the initiative: Keep the conversation moving
- Reply to messages: Even a quick response shows respect for your mentor’s time
- Stay in touch: Share updates on your applications, interviews and career progress
- Come prepared: Bring questions or topics to each conversation
- Act on advice: Try your mentor’s suggestions and share how things went.
- Use video calls: Sometimes a conversation is the quickest way to get support.
- Be reliable: Attend meetings or give notice if you need to rearrange.
- Stay curious: The more engaged you are, the more you’ll gain
Your mentor is there to guide and support you, but you’ll get the most from the relationship by staying proactive, communicating regularly and acting on the advice you receive.
