Mentor Handbook

Thank you for offering your time to help others plan their careers. As a mentor hosting informal interviews, you provide direct advice and context to people exploring your field.

Setting the Tone: "Rooted Warmth"

Professional meetings often cause anxiety for early-career individuals. You can disarm this tension by establishing a welcoming environment immediately. Focus the conversation on shared interests rather than formal business protocols.

Guidelines for Mentors

Share your complete career history, including the rejections and pivots, rather than just the highlights. Grounded examples make your advice easier to apply. Take the time to understand the mentee's specific background so you can tailor your feedback instead of offering generic industry advice.

State clearly at the beginning if you cannot offer a job or a referral. This boundary removes the pressure and keeps the focus on learning. End the meeting by suggesting a specific book to read, a skill to practice, or another person to contact.

Handling the "Can you get me a job?" Question

Sometimes, despite best intentions, a mentee might turn the informational interview into a job plea. Handle this with grace. You can say something like: "My team isn't hiring right now, and I don't have influence over the recruiting process, but I'm happy to look over your resume and give you feedback based on what our industry generally looks for."