b'WHAT SHOULD I DO ON THE FIRST MEETING? be off putting to the mentor. Rather, aim for As a first point of call, this author suggeststhe first half of the meeting to be focused on sending your newfound mentor your CV and arelationship building, then weave questions summary of your background, so that they canabout opportunities into the latter half of quickly and easily gain an understanding ofthemeeting.you. Every good mentoring relationship shouldThis writer has had mentors look over their CV, have defined goals, so make some short termcover letter, applications and even assignments goals: one month, three months, six months again, if you dont ask, you dont get. But, and a year which you can thendiscuss, workapproach with caution, ask whether your onand track together. mentor would be open to it, and give them Let the mentor set the time and location so youplenty of turnaround time.get a sense of what they preferthey may be aWHAT SHOULD I DO IF A MENTOR ORGANISES daytime coffee person or a night time wine barAN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME?type. You can suggest the next location onceMost mentors share their network with caution. youve scoped them out.Offer to pay, and ifSo if they set you up with someone, it means they pay, offer to pay next time (and ensure youthey trust you to set a good example, as both keep to your promise). After the meeting, makeyour reputations are on the line. As a result, sure you thank your mentor through email orsmash the basics out of the parkarrive early, text for their time and valuable insights. dress well (and appropriately), turn your phone WHAT SHOULD I DO IN BETWEEN MEETINGS? on silent and come prepared. Send a follow up Mentors love hearing about your journey,to your mentor and their contact with a thank so update them on your progress if theyveyou email or text. Satisfying these basics will connected you with another professional orincrease the chance of your mentor connecting have proofed an application. You can alsoyou with others in future.anything that you think would be of interest toWHAT IF I DONT CLICK WITH MY MENTOR?them. See a professional industry article thatFirst, give it at least two to three meetings to would interest your mentor? Send it. Knowdiscern whether you and your mentor are a your mentor is going on holiday to Japan atgood match. Sometimes people have bad the end of the year? Send an article on Mustdays or take time to come out of their shell, eats Tokyo that pops up in your feed. Listenso give them a chance. But if you dont think to a great podcast or inspirational TEDtalk?youll click, ask your mentor if theres anyone Shoot it through. In doing this,you create valuein their network they could connect you with. for your mentor and make the relationship aThis way, you create a win for you and your two-waystreet. mentor, wherein theyve helped you and youve HOW ELSE CAN A MENTOR HELP ME? gained another potential mentor. If youre in a A mentor is all about trying to assist you withdefined program, you can contact the program opportunities. If your mentor is a barrister: askcoordinators and express your concerns about if you can sit in on a court day. If your mentorthe match. Chances are they may be able to works at a Community Legal Centre: ask ifre-match you.there are any volunteering opportunities. IfWHEN DOES THE MENTORING your mentor works at a firm: ask if there areRELATIONSHIPEND?any paralegal roles. Again, you must drive theEvery mentor should serve a different purpose. relationship with your mentor. ProfessionalsDefine goals and a time frame with your are busy and although they have your interestsmentor. But you should definitely keep in at heart, they have a million other competingtouch with your mentor after your agreed time interests swirling in their head. Being directperiod. Add them on LinkedIn, for instance, or about what you are looking for creates ainitiate the occasional coffee catch up. win-win situation that is easy for you and your mentor to achieve. At the end of the day, theUltimately. being a mentee is a very rewarding worst they can say is no. and educational experience. Drive the That being said, there is tact required whenrelationship, have fun and someday pass on asking about these opportunities. Dont turn upthe good vibes by being a mentor in the future. to a meeting with your mentor and ask pointHappy mentoring!blank whether they have any opportunities going: this will feel very transactional and may PAGE 23'