Checklist: Questions to ask your mentee at the start of a mentoring relationship

What topics to discuss during your first meetings?

Ask your mentee about their motivations for engaging in a mentoring relationship.
Talk about your motivations for being a mentor.
Reflect on your respective roles: How do you see your role and that of the mentee? And what is the mentee’s perspective?
Understand the mentoring goals of the individual and start targeting with the mentee the most important areas of development to prioritize.
Start thinking and giving examples of what you believe you can bring to this person.
Discuss the type of support you can provide.
Plan your next meetings, discuss a work plan.

Here is a list of questions to guide your discussions with your mentee:

Tell me about your professional journey (education, experiences, etc.). How do you feel about the progression of your career so far?
What is your educational background?
What led you to your current job?
What are you passionate about?
What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?
What are your professional aspirations?
How do you see my role as a mentor?
What are your expectations for our mentoring relationship?
What is your greatest professional achievement so far?
What have been the biggest challenges you have faced?
What are your most important values in life and at work?
In what types of situations do you learn the most?
What has been the biggest learning experience in your career? Why?
What strengths can you leverage, and what are your areas of caution?
What is your perspective on the confidentiality aspect of what is discussed in our meetings?
Could we agree on a way of working going forward?