The Networking Guide for Getting Mentoring
Learn how to get a mentor through networking
Prepare your profile
New contacts want to know who you are, what you’ve been up to, and what you have in common. LinkedIn is where they’ll go to find out.
☐ Education: List all schools attended
☐ Experience: Include at least 3; the best entries are those related to your career interest
☐ Headshot: Have close-up on your friendly face, simple work-type attire
Add your connections
Your network is bigger than you think. But are you connected to everyone in your network on LinkedIn? Before you reach out to start networking, build your network community online.
☐ Who: Send LinkedIn connection requests to all those who know you (classmates, coworkers, teammates, friends, family)
☐ How: Spend 1 hour to send 100+ LinkedIn requests. No need to customize them – these people know you!
☐ How Many: 250+ for professionals with a few years of work experience; 100+ for undergraduates.
Write a conversation request email
MANGO is a free networking tool that coaches you through all the tactical steps of networking, starting with writing an outreach email.
Learn how to network to get a mentor
Need more networking advice? Check out our free Networking for Mentoring Advice crash course for step-by-step guidance.
What info you need
When you’re on the lookout for a good mentor, you’ll want:
- Someone who can relate to your specific situation (e.g., person with disabilities, veteran, first-in-family-to-college, immigrant, certain racial or cultural identity)
- Know how someone like you succeeded or tackled your goal
- Recommended resources
- Connections to others like you
- Encouragement from someone who has accomplished your goal
Who's best to talk to
There’s four Connection Types within your network. When you’re looking for a mentor, you’ll want to look for Supporters.
Supporters are people in your network who have navigated the challenge you are facing and can explain how they did it.
- Have Similar Experience
- Give Supportive Advice
- Offer Community Contacts
Learn more about Supporters and how to find them.
How to find Supporters
If you need more help on finding Supporters in your network, check out our free LinkedIn Search for Mentors course, which can help you find 3 – 5 Supporters today.
Why questions matter most
The key to a “conversation that clicks” is asking the right person the right questions that tap into their expertise…and avoiding questions that don’t.
Supporters expect you to ask questions about navigating tricky workplace scenarios, and basic questions you may feel stupid asking others.
Conversation prep
Get our one-page tipsheet on how to get prepared for your informational interview—from what to wear and pack, to what to say.
How to find the
right questions easily
No need to guess. Let MANGO recommend questions that click with your contact every time.
Watch the video to see how MANGO works for you.
Learn how to
prepare questions
Follow this step-by-step course to see how to prepare the best questions that lead to referrals and insider advice.
How to write
networking emails
Don’t struggle with what to say. Write customized emails without the guesswork with MANGO.
Watch the video to see how you can build custom emails including:
- Conversation Request emails
- Confirmation emails
- Thank You emails
- Check In emails
