Professional Network:
UMBC Mentoring Program

How to Respond to Your Mentor when Contacted:
Once your mentor contacts you, how should you respond?

The initial contact with your mentor may be by email, on the phone, or in-person. Explain that you are interested in developing a mentoring relationship and be very specific about the information or assistance you are seeking. Here are some suggested topic areas on which your mentor might be able to offer advice:

• Gaining visibility in your industry. For example, what professional associations are recommended for your industry?
• Gaining the ability to interact appropriately with professionals in your industry or field of interest.
• Developing networking and personal branding skills and establishing professional contacts.
• Complimenting your academics with your professional development.
• Applying your strengths in a professional setting.
• Providing insight into your career field and industry by providing information on career options for your specific degree.
• Reviewing your resume for industry appropriate information.
• Conducting a site visit/shadow day or informational interview.
• Asking for feedback; be open to constructive criticism.

Professional Skills Development:
Your mentor may also be able to help with the development of additional professional skills by helping you to:

• Prepare for an upcoming interview or job fair (e.g., conducting a mock interview).
• Transition as an international student.
• Improve professional communication skills.
• Develop your over all professional etiquette skills.

When speaking with your mentor, don’t be afraid to share any academic or professional progress (past and current) that you feel good about. Consider what additional assistance, guidance, or support might be most useful.

Be Prepared with your “elevator speech” or your “30-second commercial:”
The 30-second networking commercial is a sales promotion for yourself. This commercial can be considered to be your personal marketing tool. It is used continually in the job search and must be practiced. Take the time to develop your script so that you are comfortable talking with any employer. Click on the links below for additional information.

• Sample 30-second commercial
• Tips on developing a great elevator speech

Remember to:

• Summarize your relevant experiences.
• Quickly state your specific objective of the mentoring relationship.
• Show how you have demonstrated a genuine interest in the career field you are pursuing (give specific examples of things you’ve done, if applicable) and discuss your relevant skills.
• Explain what makes you stand out from the crowd (e.g., any leadership experience or special recognitions).
• Give the mentor two options on how s/he can assist you.

Networking doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. By applying the above suggestions, you can confidently network your way into a new opportunity. How can you tweak your 30-second introduction to be a conversation starter?

Responding to Professional Email Messages:

Write a concise initial email; consider your first email to be an invitation to connect. Once you and the mentor have made a connection and would like to connect again for a more in-depth conversation, you can then reply with more specific information and offer to send attachments (such as your resume) as needed.

Keep your Emails and Interactions with your Mentor on a Professional Level:

• Many of us have become accustomed to the shorthand used in texting and instant messages. However, networking emails, particularly in the business setting, still demand a higher level of professionalism. For example, “Plz send info 2moro” is simply not appropriate.
• Spell words out and use correct grammar.
• Use an appropriate email address. If you wouldn’t use it when applying for a job, don’t use it when corresponding with your mentor.
• Think professionally. Avoid the smiley faces :-) and jargon.
• Err on the side of formality.
• Use capitalization and abbreviations only as necessary.
• Don’t forget to use the spell check, but don’t rely on the spell check.
• Mind your manners. Remember that someone is setting aside time for you; don’t forget to say please and thank you.

Sample Questions You Might Ask Your Mentor:

Check out our list of informational interview questions that may be used to spark conversation with your mentor and provide insight into your job search and career planning.

The purpose of a structured informational interview is not to get a job but to better understand a particular position or industry and make potential connections in that field. See the website above for additional instructions on how to conduct a formal informational interview.

If you request a formal informational interview, treat the interview as a business meeting. You should prepare in advance. Prior to the interview, research the company or career and develop a short list of questions that you would like to have answered, and schedule a meeting with your mentor in advance.

Return to: ProNet homepage

Continue reading: How to make the best use of ProNet