Mentee Guide
How to get the most out of your informal interviews as a mentee.
Video provided by the Stanford Life Design Lab
You control the direction of the conversation when you request a coffee chat. Your preparation and respect for the mentor's schedule dictate the outcome. Follow these steps to act as an effective mentee during your meeting.
1. Do Your Homework
Skip questions you can answer with a quick web search or a glance at their profile. Spend 15 to 20 minutes researching the person, their company, and their career history. This preparation lets you ask specific, targeted questions.
2. Prepare Your "Elevator Pitch"
The mentor will ask about your background. Prepare a 30 to 60-second summary covering who you are, your current projects, and your immediate career goals.
3. Drive the Conversation
You asked for the meeting, so you must lead it. Bring three to five prepared questions. Use these questions to guide the discussion naturally, and allow the conversation to shift if a new topic proves useful.
4. Respect the Time Boundary
Monitor the clock throughout your meeting. If you asked for 20 minutes, speak up at the 18-minute mark. You might say, "We have about two minutes left. I have one final quick question, or we can wrap up." Respecting their schedule builds immediate trust.
5. The Closing Question
Always end your interviews by asking if they recommend anyone else you should speak with. This specific habit expands your contacts reliably over time.