How do I ask this person I really admire to be my mentor?

EA
daronaaa

Go to company page EA

daronaaa
Apr 21, 2020 17 Comments

There's this person at work who I really admire, and I always wanted to kind of build a mentor-mentee relationship with them. Turns out they're going to be leaving the company in two weeks and I don't think I have a good enough relationship to ask them to be my mentor since I don't have anything to offer to them imo.

How can I go about asking them to be my mentor in a way that won't put them in an uncomfortable spot?

#mentorship #google

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TOP 17 Comments
  • I usually break the ice by following them home and approaching them as soon as they get out of their car. Really gets their attention.
    Apr 21, 2020 4
  • Amazon
    Vfrq15

    Go to company page Amazon

    Vfrq15
    Add them on LinkedIn. I don't think it's weird to ask them to be your mentor at all. Just make sure you clearly state what you need guidance on and what your goals are (building expertise, aiming for a promotion, etc.) so they can better help you.

    Initially, you don't need to offer them anything in return (at least not explicitly). Helping someone grow their career is rewarding on its own. If they need something from you, I'm sure they can bring it up on their own.

    As a mentor, what I generally want to learn from my mentees is the efficacy of my communication. Different people react differently to different styles of coaching so if you can offer your mentor constructive feedback (if feedback is something they're looking for) then it's worth putting it out there.
    Apr 21, 2020 1
    • I agree with all of this. I think it also helps if you can say way you want them as a mentor. For example you could say you admire the way they do X and would really appreciate if they would mentor you so you can learn that skill from them.

      A little flattery can go a long way :)
      Apr 21, 2020
  • Google
    πŸ¦†πŸ¦†Go

    Go to company page Google

    πŸ¦†πŸ¦†Go
    Ask. No bs
    Apr 21, 2020 1
  • Amazon
    zbpa9z3

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    zbpa9z3
    Unless its a company/team appointed mentor, mentor/mentees really grow organically over time and is never really "formalized". Sounds like you dont have that kind of relationship so you're better off leaving it as is. Just keep in touch with them and thats about as much as you can hope for.
    Apr 21, 2020 1
    • EA
      daronaaa

      Go to company page EA

      daronaaa
      OP
      True. I felt weird asking outright too but also didn't want the regret of a missed opportunity. I'm also not the best at keeping touch (I only have their email), any advice on that?
      Apr 21, 2020
  • Simple message sad to see you go. Mind if we stay in touch over the years? Will miss / loved your advice and perspectives.

    Ping them every quarter for a half hour chat make sure you end and don't go past that half an hour.
    Apr 21, 2020 0