Establishing a Mentoring Relationship: How to Take the First Steps

You've done it: you've registered with Elo. You have hundreds of potential mentors at your fingertips and are closer than ever to your goal of establishing a mentoring relationship. But you're not sure? Not sure who to contact? Or unsure of the best way to take the first steps? We've got you covered with this article.

There is no wrong way to contact a mentor

Writing a first message to a mentor shouldn't be stressful. No matter what your question or goal is, the mentor will simply want to help and guide you. What if they don't have the answer to your question? They will tell you and you can move on to another topic (or even another mentor).

Also, you should never be afraid of being judged. Mentors have had to overcome obstacles or have had dreams similar to yours. In short, they are human beings like you.

And they signed up for Elo specifically for this: to answer questions like the ones you have and to develop relationships with people like you.

 « For many years, I have felt that it is important to share my experiences and knowledge. I have been a volunteer mentor for several years and I have been teaching since 2009 so that I can pass on my knowledge."

- Stéphane Bilodeau, Industrial Maintenance, Reliability Coach and Elo mentor

Mentoring is all about taking risks

As you know, there is more to starting a mentoring relationship than just signing up for Elo. Like everything else in life, mentoring takes time and thought. You need to define your goals, cultivate the relationship, seek advice, maybe meet your mentor in person, etc.

It can seem daunting, but it's healthy. And a mentoring relationship is supposed to challenge you, not confirm you in every way where you are. It should be a challenge both professionally and personally. None of that can happen if you don't take risks. What kind of risks? That's up to each of us, but discussing your lack of confidence, your difficulty in public speaking, your doubts about your past career choices, or simply your ignorance about certain subjects. Taking risks is an integral part of personal and professional growth!

Find common interests with a mentor

If you are uncomfortable approaching a mentor directly with a professional question or issue, don't hesitate to explore their profile to find things you might have in common. Whether it's a passion, a hobby, a common college program, or even the high school you attended, anything is valid to establish a connection between the two of you. Not much information on her Elo profile? Take a look at LinkedIn. Finding such a connection will allow you to open up about your mentoring goals with this person and solidify the relationship from the start.

In short, as you can see, there are many ways to initiate a mentoring relationship, but in all cases, you must have the desire and take the initiative. And if you are registered on Elo, there is no lack of desire... So what are you waiting for to contact a mentor?

Here are some examples of first messages to inspire you:

"Hello Ms. Jasmin, while reading your profile I noticed that we have a lot in common. I am passionate about the aerospace and environmental fields. I am a graduate of the École de technologie supérieure who has been on the job market for a few years. I would just like to ask you if it would be possible to have you as a mentor. Thank you!"

"Good evening Mr. Abdallah! I was doing a search for a robotics mentor, but alas, there doesn't seem to be one available yet. However, this allowed me to come across your profile. I like to think in terms of strategic planning, but I still have a lot to learn about it. Could you answer my questions about this?"

"Hi Ms. Arsenault, I am inspired by your profile and would love to share with you. I'm in a bit of a bind professionally. I had what I considered my dream job for three years, but I ended up leaving because of a dispute with a manager and a somewhat negative work environment. I have since found a job that I like, but that lacks a bit of challenge. Now, my former position has become available, the manager in question has left... I wonder what to do? It's tempting to apply, but I don't know how it would affect my career. Do you have any advice for me?"

"Hi Mr. Tannous, I just graduated from UQAM with a Master's degree in Management Sciences, like you did a few years ago. I loved my studies and I'm looking forward to entering the job market. I would really like the kind of job you have. But I don't really have any experience in the field and everyone tells me that it is essential to get a job. Do you think this is the case?  How did you get started in your career? I would love to hear your story. It could certainly inspire me. Thank you in advance for your response."

"Hello Ms. Côté, I work in the banking field and I've been in the same position for three years, in the same company. I like my job and I think I'm pretty good at it. However, some colleagues who had similar positions to mine were promoted one or two years after their arrival. I don't dare talk to my supervisor about this, but I would love to get some advice from a human resources professional like you. Do you have any tips for someone in a situation like mine?"