How to Write an Email to Ask Someone to Be Your Mentor

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Asking someone to be your mentor can be intimidating. As a requirement, this is a person you admire whom you would like to learn from, so phrasing your question appropriately is vital.

To ask someone to be your mentor in an email, introduce yourself briefly, explain what it is you admire about their work, then ask them if they are open to mentoring and what you expect that to entail. Offer to meet with them to discuss details and sign off cordially.

Here’s how to ask someone to be your mentor through email.

How to write an email asking someone to be your mentor

The first thing you need to address in your request email is who you are and how you are connected to your mentor. This should include your current profession or line of study, as well as any mutual contact who may have brought you two together or, if there is none, how you came to have their contact information.

You should then explain why it is you admire this person’s work. Cite specific examples of projects they’ve worked on, research they’ve put out, or other accomplishments they have achieved. Connect this to your personal interest in the field.

Finally, you’ll want to make sure that you are appropriately requesting their mentorship. If they have any published guidelines for mentoring – such as on their website or through other connections – be sure you’ve followed them and given the appropriate information.

Offer to meet with your potential mentor to discuss details and thank them for their time, then sign off with the appropriate contact information.

It’s important to note now that you should only approach a person with a mentoring request if they’ve made it public knowledge that they are open to the idea of mentoring. Otherwise, you may begin with getting their opinion on the matter before making a direct request.

Regardless of how your recipient responds, be sure to respond in kind, thanking them again.

Mentor request email templates

Adjust the following template to match your needs and information when asking someone to be your mentor.

SUBJECT: Mentoring Request from [Name]

Hello [Name],

My name is [Name] and I am a [Major/Title] with [School/Company]. We were connected via [Name] at [Event] OR I found your contact information through [Method]. I am pleased to make your acquaintance!

I am a fan of your work regarding [Subject]. Specifically, I appreciated your [Recent project/Research] and your contributions to [Subject] [Describe].

As such, I would be honored if you would accept me as a mentee. Having you as my mentor, I would hope to learn [Goals]. I would ask you to [Description of relationship expectations].

I would be happy to discuss this further with you via [Method] at [Contact information]. I am available [Availability] and can work to your schedule. Please do not hesitate to reach out; I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Contact Information]

Here are two more templates for response emails that you can use.

If they choose to move forward with meeting or mentoring you:

SUBJECT: Re: Mentoring Request from [Name]

Hello [Name],

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me! To confirm, we are meeting via [Method] at [Date, Time]. I look forward to speaking with you.

Regards,

[Name]

If they choose not to move forward with mentoring you:

SUBJECT: Re: Mentoring Request from [Name]

Hello [Name],

I understand and appreciate your taking the time to respond to me. Thank you again, and I wish you well in your endeavors.

Regards,

[Name]

 

Conor
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