Finding a mentor is hard but once you have done that, the next step is building a thriving relationship through clear, concise and polite communication.
In this article we will guide you through the process of drafting an effective email to your prospective mentor to schedule your first meeting. We will do this using best practices, tips and a ready to use sample template. So let us begin.
Tips to Remember
Remember to do you research about your mentor, their speciality, references from their previous mentees if any so that you know exactly who you are talking to and how to get a yes.
Clearly state your objectives and motivation for needing a mentor and in particular this person so that he will know if you are a good fit or not.
Always respect their time and do not fill your email and even your meeting for that matter with fluff that does not add any value and only ends up wasting the mentor’s time.
Maintain professionalism throughout your conversations with the potential mentor so that you make a good first impression and that will build some forward momentum in this relationship.
Best Practices
Draft a clear subject line that communicates your intentions with the meeting and begin your email with respectful greetings. A mentor is no less than a teacher, so give them their due.
Express genuine interest that led you to seek out this mentor, fascination with what they have achieved, their principles, ideals, and more. This will help your chances of cracking this mentorship.
Propose a date and time that you want to meet them on and ask them if that works for them. In cases that it does not, do not hesitate to be more flexible. In fact, add flexibility to your first email.
Express gratitude to your potential mentor for taking time to consider meeting you since it takes effort to prepare, consider and move things around to meet someone new.
Sample Email Template for Scheduling the First Meeting with a Mentor
Subject: Requesting Mentorship on [Subject Matter]
Hello {Recipient’s Name},
Hope you are doing well. My name is [Your Name] and I am currently pursuing [Your Area of Interest] at [Institution].
I am writing this email to request a meeting with you because I feel [Reason’s Why He/She Would be a Good Mentor]. My objective for seeking your mentorship is [Express Your Interest in the Domain/Subject Matter].
I understand that you are busy and I believe this meeting will not take more than [Time Period], where in I can share in-detail my plans.
If you have any questions or clarifications, please feel free to reach out to me by replying to this email or calling me on [Your Mobile Number].
Thanks for understanding and I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position & Department]
Conclusion
Sending an email to a mentor to schedule the first meeting is a critical step in building a mentor-mentee relationship. With the tips, and best practices shared in this writeup, you can now draft an effective email without the hassles.
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