11 Helpful Tips to Make the Most of Your Mentoring Sessions

Be it your first mentor meeting or one of many, it can be awkward if you don’t know what you want or what to do.

At Preplaced, each mentoring session usually lasts between 30-60 minutes. 

So having a plan on what to do and what not will ensure that you make the most of each session.

The mentors are there to guide and support you, but you have to put in equal effort too. 💪

The more you invest in the process, the more rewarding the experience will be. 

Now, don’t worry because we have done the work for you.

Here are 11 tips to help you make the most of your mentor-mentee meetings.

🌟 Set clear objectives and goals

Setting clear objectives and agendas for mentor meetings is like giving your mentoring journey a roadmap. 

Imagine you're going on somewhere you haven’t been before. 

You wouldn’t just jump in the car and drive aimlessly.

You'd probably check out the map or GPS for directions.

That's what setting clear objectives is all about!

So, before you dive into your mentoring session, take a moment to think about what you want to get out of it, and what questions to ask your mentor. 

Ask yourself, 

"What are the main things I need help with?" or "What challenges am I facing that I want to tackle together with my mentor?" 

Once you have a clear idea of your goals, it’ll be easy to make the most of your time together.

And don't worry if you're not sure how to set these goals perfectly. 

Your mentor is there to help you with goal setting and guide you in the right direction.

🌟 Be open and honest in sharing thoughts and concerns

Be honest and upfront about what's on your mind.

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It's important to share your thoughts, concerns, and even any doubts you might have.

Being open helps your mentor understand your unique situation better.

This means they can give you advice that's tailored to your needs. 

The more clear you are, the better will be the advice.

So, don't be afraid to open up and let your mentor know what's going on in your mind. 

It also helps create a bond of trust between you two leading to a great mentor-mentee relationship. 

🌟 Develop a structured session format

Organising your mentorship sessions makes them super effective and focused.

Before the mentor meeting, take a little time to plan things out. 

Think about the good topics for mentoring sessions that you want to discuss with your mentor.

Start by jotting down the main points you'd like to cover during the session. 

It could be challenges you're facing, questions you have, or areas you need guidance on. 

Prioritise them based on their importance to you.

Having this organised structure in place will help you stay on track during the conversation. 

It's easy to get excited and deviate from the topic at hand, but having your session format keeps things focused. 

You won't forget to address the crucial points you wanted to talk about.

You’ll know where you're heading and what you want to achieve together. 

Also, the structure doesn't have to be super formal or rigid. 

It's just a great way to make sure you cover the things that matter most to you. 

🌟 Be mindful of their time

Your mentor has a life of their own. 

So, give them space and respect their time.

First off, be punctual! 

If you have a mentoring session scheduled, make sure you show up on time. 

It shows that you value their time and appreciate the opportunity to learn from them.

Next, avoid going overboard with messages and follow-up questions. 

They're happy to help, but bombarding them with an avalanche of messages might be overwhelming. 

Remember, quality over quantity!

Another thing to keep in mind is that your mentor might have other commitments besides mentoring. 

So, be considerate if they can't reply immediately or have to reschedule a session. 

We all have our superhero moments, but even superheroes need a break sometimes.

🌟 Be proactive in the mentorship

Take the initiative and be an active participant in your learning journey with your mentor. 

It's like being the driver of your own growth bus! 

Instead of letting your mentor do all the talking, throw your two cents as well.

Don't hesitate to inquire about things you're curious about or areas where you need help. 

And here's a pro tip: suggest topics or areas you want to explore during your sessions. 

They'll appreciate your enthusiasm to learn and engage.

They are not mind readers, so let them know what you're thinking or any challenges you're facing. 

This way, they can give you more targeted advice.

🌟 Embrace constructive criticism

Hearing criticism might not always feel great, but trust me, it's a gift!

Preplaced mentors are invested in your success, and they want to see you grow and excel. 

So, when they share feedback, it's because they genuinely care about your progress.

Hence, don't take it personally. 

Rather see it as an opportunity to learn and develop. 

Remember, nobody's perfect, and we all have room to grow. 

And constructive criticism helps us identify these blind spots. 

It's a chance to polish your skills and approach.

Stay open-minded and curious. 

Ask questions if something isn't clear or if further guidance is needed. 

Accepting constructive criticism is an art. 

It's an effective way to become even better at what you do.

So, the next time your mentor gives you some feedback, take a deep breath and appreciate their efforts to help you succeed. 

🌟 Adjust strategies when needed

Life is full of twists and turns, and the same goes for your professional and personal growth.

When you face challenges or things aren't going as planned, it's time to adjust your strategies. 

Think of it like recalculating your GPS when you miss a turn. 

Instead of getting stuck, take a moment to rethink your direction and make a new plan.

Your mentor has likely experienced similar challenges and can offer valuable advice. 

Stay open to new ideas and suggestions from your mentor. 

Sometimes, their fresh perspective can lead to innovative solutions you hadn't considered. 

It's okay to pivot and try something different if your original strategy isn't generating the results you hoped for.

Being flexible doesn't mean that you have to give up or lose sight of your goals. 

It means that you are willing to change direction with your destination in mind.

Flexibility is a key trait in successful people because it allows them to overcome challenges and keep moving forward.

Your mentorship journey is about growth, and that often involves some course corrections.

🌟 Build rapport and mutual respect

Getting to know someone beyond their professional side creates a healthy and comfortable relationship.

Talk with your mentor about things outside of work. 

Learn about them, and ask about their experiences, interests, and hobbies. 

Show genuine curiosity in what makes them tick.

These friendly conversations will help you both connect on a personal level, building mutual respect and trust. 

Remember that your mentor is also a person, not just a source of knowledge.

So, take the opportunity to build real relationships. This will make your mentorship journey so much more rewarding!

🌟 Express Gratitude and Appreciation

Take a moment and express your gratitude to your mentor. 

They're giving their time, knowledge, and support to see you grow and succeed. 

You can simply send them a message saying how much you appreciate their guidance. 

You don’t need to be super formal or fancy. 

A sincere "thank you" can go a long way in showing them that you value their efforts.

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Also, if there's a mentoring platform like Preplaced where you can leave a review or rating for your mentor, take the time to do so. 

Sharing your positive experience can help other mentees find a great mentor too!

It’s all about being kind and showing that you recognise and respect the effort your mentor is putting into helping you. 

It's like saying, "I'm so thankful for what you are doing for me, it’s great to have your support." 

These little appreciations can create a warm and supportive mentor-mentee relationship that benefits both of you throughout your journey.

🌟 Apply advice and feedback in real-life scenarios

Applying the suggestions to your actual challenges and projects will yield the result of mentorship. 

Don't just let that learning sit idle; take action!

For example, if your mentor advises you on improving your communication skills, don't wait too long to test it out. 

Put their advice into practice in a real-life scenario. 

Pay attention to how it goes, what is working, and what you can still improve. 

By doing this, you're turning theoretical advice into real results.

I know that trying out new things can feel a bit daunting at times, but that's totally normal. 

Just remember that it's okay to make mistakes along the way. 

Learning is a lifelong process, and every attempt brings you closer to success.

By doing this, you'll not only see progress but also be able to discuss your real-life experiences with your mentor during future sessions. 

This kind of feedback loop allows them to deliver even more relevant and personalised advice.

🌟 Reflect on the mentorship experience and lessons learned

Take a moment to reflect on what you've learned and how you've grown during your time with your mentor. 

After each session with your mentor, take a little pause and think about what you've discussed. 

Ask yourself,

• What were the key takeaways from today's discussion? 
• How can I apply the advice in real life? 
• Did I encounter any new insights that I hadn't considered before?

This reflection time is super valuable because it helps you see the bigger picture. 

You get to connect the dots between all your sessions and see how you're progressing toward your goals. 

Plus, you'll be amazed to realise how much you're learning and improving along the way!

Sometimes, you might stumble across an "Aha!" moment during your reflections. 

You know, that lightbulb moment where everything suddenly clicks? 

And when that happens, you can be sure that you're really absorbing all the wisdom your mentor shares.

Also, don't worry if you run into challenges or areas you're still working on.

As I mentioned earlier, that's totally normal, and it's all part of the learning process. 

Keep reflecting, growing, and making the most of your mentoring sessions.

Wrapping it up

The list is not exhaustive but a great start for a successful mentor-mentee meeting.

If you are prepared before each of your mentoring sessions, you can save a lot of precious time and use it for fruitful discussions.

And don’t forget to enjoy the process. We all are here to learn. 🙌

If you still haven’t decided on a mentor, it’s time to do so.

You can start by browsing the list of 300+ expert professionals here and schedule a free 1:1 30-minute call with your selected mentor!

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Recommended Readings:

A Day in the Life of a Preplaced Mentee

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome at Work with Mentorship: 6 Ways