This document provides advice on how to effectively ask someone to be a mentor. It discusses what to expect from a mentoring relationship, when and how to ask someone to be a mentor, and why having a mentor is beneficial. The document presents statistics from surveys that found employees with mentors were more likely to receive raises and promotions. It provides tips on finding mentors, including attending networking events and following up. Specific guidance and an example script are given for approaching a potential mentor.

1. HOW TO EFFECTIVELY ASK
FOR A MENTOR?
Einah Reza M. Pelaez, P.E.
HDR Traffic Engineer/Associate
SWE New York Professional Section VP
October 24, 2014

2. WHAT TO EXPECT?
HOW WOULD Y O U ASK?
WHEN DO Y O U ASK?
WHY D O Y O U N E E D A
MENTOR?
WHAT I S Y O U R R O L E
A S A PROTÉGÉ?
WHERE DO Y O U F I N D
MENTORS?

3. Both mentors and mentees were
approximately 20% more likely to get a
raise than people who did not participate
in the mentoring program
-Sun Microsystems survey
FACTS

4. Employees who received mentoring were
promoted 5X more often than people who
didn’t have mentors
-Sun Microsystems survey
FACTS

5. Mentors were 6X more likely to have
been promoted to a bigger job
-Sun Microsystems survey
FACTS

6. 82% of 1,000 women surveyed agreed that having a
mentor is important.
Yet, nearly 1 out of every 5 women reported never
having a mentor.
Furthermore, 52% of these women noted they hadn't
had one because they "never encountered someone
appropriate”
Mentors were 6X more likely to have
been promoted to a bigger job
-Sun Microsystems survey
FACTS

7. 82% of women who had never been a
mentor reported they weren't mentoring
another professional simply because
"no one ever asked"
Mentors were 6X more likely to have
been promoted to a bigger job
-Sun Microsystems survey
FACTS

8. THINGS TO REMEMBER
 Be Nice
 Tell them WHY?
 Be Specific
 Make it easy for them

9. “MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL…WHO’S THE
FAIREST OF THEM ALL?”
 Look at yourself in the Mirror, 
 3 things important in your life
 3 Mentor qualities
 3 things that a mentor can help
you
 Speak
 Attend networking events
 Think about those mentor qualities
 Follow Through

10. “Hi my name is ______. There are 3 important things
in my life, _______, _______ and ______, and it
seems like you are _______, someone who has strong
______ and ___________________ .
It is my hope that you can help me with
_______________, _________________, and
_________.
SPEAK
Einah
work-life balance
friendship
family faith career
positive
values an expert in your field
personal growth

11. It would be an honor for me to have you as a mentor. I
know that it may be a bit abrupt and I may have caught
you off guard but I’d like to discuss this opportunity
with you and see if we would be a good match. Will
you be at the Lava Lounge sometime today, or can I
join you for breakfast/lunch?”
FOLLOW THROUGH

12.  What did you study?
 How long have you
been in the industry?
 Where do you work?
 What do you do in
your free time?
 What is it that you
like about your job?

13. Einah Reza M. Pelaez, P.E.
einah.pelaez@hdrinc.com
914-993-2052