Make a Great Impression!
First impressions are important, and the best mentor relationships start with good preparation. The Alumni Association recommends you follow these simple guidelines to help ensure you get the most out of your interaction with your new mentor.
- Introduce yourself. Take the first step and contact your new mentor. Place a phone call or send an introductory letter or email as your first method of contact. Be sure to identify yourself as a participant in the Alumni Association’s Alumni NetWorks program. Don’t forget to enclose your resume with any correspondence. Need help? Check out this sample introductory letter/e-mail.
- Timing is everything. Be sure to call during appropriate business hours or during times specified in the mentor’s profile. It is important to be respectful of your mentor’s time. Identify a convenient time for your consultation. Don’t forget to agree on an appropriate length for your meeting. Need help? Check out this sample phone script.
- Do research. Before your upcoming meeting, gather information on your mentor and his or her organization. Knowledge about your mentor’s area of specialty or organization will help you prepare more intelligent and productive questions. Need help? Check out the company’s Web site or your mentor’s profile on inCircle.
- Plan ahead. Identify ahead of time what you want to communicate about yourself: skills, traits, goals. Think about ways to communicate these attributes through the questions you ask.
- Ask questions. This is your opportunity to learn as much as you can from your mentor. Be prepared for your meeting with you mentor by arriving with a series of open-ended questions that will help stimulate your discussion and enable you to learn as much as you can about your mentor’s profession or industry. Need help? Check out this list of sample questions.
- Be enthusiastic. Remember your mentor has volunteered his or her time to meet with you. Listen and take note of the experiences and knowledge your mentor is sharing with you. And, don’t forget you are representing the University of Michigan!
- Leave a lasting impression. At the conclusion of the meeting, always thank your mentor for his or her time. Be sure to follow up every meeting with a thank you note. Need help? Check out a sample thank you letter.
