Elo Mentoring - Checklist: questions to ask your mentee
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Checklist: questions to ask your mentee


This checklist includes a list of questions that you can use to take the discussion with your mentee even further.

General Questions

  • What have you been working on since we last met?
  • What have you done to achieve your goals?
  • What did you find most difficult?
  • What have you not been able to do? Why or why not?
  • What challenge(s) are you currently facing?
  • What would you like us to work on today? What are your goals?
  • What do you want from me today?

Open questions

  • What do you understand about the situation?
  • What else could you try?
  • How do you see things…?
  • What solutions do you see to this obstacle?
  • Who could help you at ….?
  • How do you feel about this experience…?
  • When you say….do I need to understand that…?
  • Where could you find the resources that…?

Other questions

  • What work experience has been particularly complex and challenging?
  • What do you want to become and do?
  • What do you want to accomplish?
  • Why is this goal important to you?
  • What difference will achieving this goal make in your life?
  • What skills do you have that help you achieve this goal?
  • What gaps are preventing you from achieving this goal?
  • As a mentor, how can I help you / where do you need the most help?
  • What are your short and long term goals?
  • What does success look like to you?
  • Once you achieve that success, how will you feel?
  • What do you want to change in 3 to 5 years?
  • What can you control in this situation?
  • What solutions have you found to remedy this situation?
  • Tell me more. This statement prompts the mentee to describe what led him/her to form his/her opinions or come to a certain conclusion. This allows you to unearth biased arguments or things to work on.
  • Have you ever thought about leaving your current position? Why or why not?
  • Do you feel like you are part of a community, at work or outside of work? Who is part of this community and how do you show support for each?
  • If you could learn a new job skill, what would it be?
  • Where do you want to go in your career?
  • Is our match beneficial to you? What is working well? How can I support you better?
  • What motivates you? Is there anything that is holding you back or bothering you?
  • What is your dream job?