60+ Good Questions to Ask Mentors About Career Development

Building a relationship with a mentor can take a lot of thought and planning—but asking clear and productive questions can help start things off on a really positive note. Mentors are incredibly valuable resources and can help you with your career development, from mastering new skills to achieving short and long-term goals related to your work. In this article, we’ll review all the best questions to ask a mentor, with expert tips on mentorship from career consultant Lisa Pachence and tech executive Archana Ramamoorthy. Let’s get started!

Best Questions for a Mentor

Mentorship expectations: Do you have any goals for this mentorship?
Professional experience: What skills have been most valuable to you in your career?
Personal experience: What do you do to stay motivated?
Career goals: How did you define your goals at the start of your career?
Feedback: Based on the goals I shared, what areas do you recommend I work on?

Section 1 of 15:

Questions About Mentorship Expectations

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It’s vital for you and your mentor to have a mutual understanding of expectations right from the beginning of the mentorship! That way, you can work together to figure out how to meet those expectations and check in with one another throughout the mentorship. Consider questions such as: ^{[1]
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- Why did you decide to become a mentor?
- Do you have any goals for this mentorship?
- How often would you prefer to meet?
- Can we review my goals for this mentorship?
- What’s the best way I can prepare for our future meetings?

Section 2 of 15:

Questions About Professional Experiences

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Naturally, it’s always a good idea to learn more about your mentor’s career journey—experiences they’ve had in the past and what they’re working on currently. Explore any challenges they’ve faced and what they’ve done to get where they are today. Show them you’re genuinely curious about them and want to learn from their experiences! ^{[2]
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- What professional experience(s) led you to your current position?
- What first got you interested in this field/industry?
- What’s one thing you wish you’d known when you were just starting out or at the level of experience I am?
- What skills have been most valuable to you throughout your career?
- Which career accomplishments are you most proud of?
- What’s the most meaningful part of your job?
- What challenges have you faced in this position or throughout your career?
- Have you ever felt imposter syndrome? What do you do to get over it?

Section 3 of 15:

Questions About Personal Experiences

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When you meet up with a mentor, remember there’s nothing wrong with getting to know them a little. A personal touch is what makes a successful mentorship experience! Express interest in them beyond just their career. The goal is to establish an amicable relationship and treat the mentorship as more than a transaction without getting overly personal. ^{[3]
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- How are you feeling today?
- What’s new since the last time we met?
- What do you do to stay motivated?
- Are you currently working toward any goals?
- Is there anything new or exciting going on right now?
- What do you find inspiration in?
- What sort of goals are on your bucket list?
- What sort of hobbies do you enjoy outside of work hours?

Section 4 of 15:

Questions About Career Goals

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Having career goals can help you forge a path to success—and a mentor can help you define and prioritize those goals. Ask questions that’ll help you determine the goals you need to meet for career success and questions that’ll tell your mentor where you ultimately want your career to go. For example: ^{[4]
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- How did you define your goals at the start of your career?
- What’s your idea of career success?
- Knowing my career goals, how would you recommend I prioritize them?
- What sort of challenges should I expect on my career path? How can I navigate them?
- What skills do I need to achieve my career goals?

Section 5 of 15:

Questions About Skill Development

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“Identify skills or gaps that you want to work on,” Ramamoorthy says. A mentor can help you pinpoint those weaker areas or which skills you’re currently lacking and might want to improve on. They can also help you further develop those skills and may give you some especially valuable insights.
- What are my strengths? How can I use them to further my career journey?
- What are the most sought-after skills in the industry right now?
- What skill gaps do I need to address most?
- How can I apply and practice skills in my current job?
- Are there any skill-focused certifications or courses you can recommend?

Section 6 of 15:

Questions About Career Advancement

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You can also ask your mentor questions on how best to develop your career, whether you’re wondering about a promotion, a change in jobs , or simply how to excel at your job in a way that’ll lead to growth and eventual advancement. Consider questions such as:
- How would you recommend I talk to my manager about a promotion?
- What habits help you be more productive or effective in the workplace?
- Which skills have helped you advance your career? Which were most difficult to develop?
- What would you do in (describe a situation you’ve faced)?
- What do you do to continue learning or developing your skills?

Section 7 of 15:

Questions for Specific Career Situations

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If you’re struggling with anything career-related at the moment, a mentor is the perfect person to ask for advice. Odds are they’ve had to deal with a similar problem themselves—so they can act as your guide and coach you through the issue. They might even help you find a solution you haven’t thought of yet.
- I’ve been given a job offer. Do you think I should accept it?
- I want to transfer to a new job within my company. What should I do?
- How should I ask for a raise? I know some of my coworkers are being paid more than me.
- I’ve been trying to navigate a problematic coworker, but I’m having trouble. How would you approach the situation?
- I think I’m ready for new responsibilities at work. What’s the best approach for this?

Section 8 of 15:

Questions About Networking

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Networking and developing relationships with other people in your industry can greatly help with career advancement. So, ask your mentor for any advice they might have on how to network with people—and use those connections effectively to grow your career. For example: ^{[5]
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- How can I connect with other people in the industry?
- Are there any networking events or conferences you recommend attending?
- What’s the best way for me to maintain professional relationships with people?
- Which networking strategies have worked the best for you?
- Can you tell me about a time when networking significantly helped advance your career?

Section 9 of 15:

Questions About Feedback and Improvement

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“Mentorship is a way for you to understand your weaknesses,” explains Ramamoorthy. “To me, it’s a way for you to get an outside perspective on who you are.” That’s why asking your mentor for feedback is a crucial part of the process; it shows that you’re committed to the mentorship and want to improve. And the more open you are, the better the feedback you’ll get!
- What could I do to improve my communication skills? (Or any other skill—organization, time management, productivity, etc.)
- How often should I ask my supervisor for feedback?
- Based on the goals I shared, what areas do you recommend I work on and improve?
- What weaknesses have you noticed I have? How could I work on them or turn them into strengths?
- What could I have done differently in [this situation] that could’ve led to a better result?
- Can you recommend any books or guides to help me hone a skill I’m struggling with?

Section 10 of 15:

Questions About the Company or Organization

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If your mentor is someone within the same company or organization, you can ask them more specific questions about navigating and building a successful career there. After all, your mentor has years of experience, so they’ll probably have the inside scoop and plenty of advice for you. ^{[6]
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- Why did you decide to work for this organization?
- What should I know about this organization that could help me advance my career?
- Is there someone at this organization you find particularly inspiring? Why?
- What part of the company culture or legacy exists because of your contributions?
- What aspect of this company would you like to learn more about?
- How do you approach collaboration with your colleagues?
- How can I work more strategically?

Section 11 of 15:

Questions About Maintaining a Work-Life Balance

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A work-life balance is just as important as career advancement; it protects your physical and mental well-being, which you need to find success. Your mentor likely has plenty of experience striking a work-life balance and can share some advice on how you can find that balance yourself. ^{[7]
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- How do you create a work-life balance for yourself?
- What strategies do you recommend for maintaining a work-life balance?
- What sort of boundaries should I set at work to prevent burnout?
- How do you navigate challenges in your personal or professional life?
- What specific habits do you practice for personal growth?

Section 12 of 15:

What to Do When Meeting a Mentor

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1
Research your mentor beforehand. Look into their career, background, and what interesting or notable things they’ve done. If they have a professional profile on LinkedIn, check it out! See what comes up when you search for them on Google or the website of the company they work for. This research can give you a better picture of their experience and what sort of knowledge they can offer that’ll help you, specifically.
- When you meet with your mentor, knowing about their career and experience will also show that you’re serious about the mentorship and value their guidance.
2
Determine your goals for the mentorship. We’ve already talked about goals a little—but it’s essential to consider them before the mentorship even begins, at least when it comes to what you want your mentor to help you with. Why do you need a mentor? What do you hope they can coach you on, and how does that align with wherever you ultimately want to take your career? ^{[8]
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- For example, you might want a mentor to help you in your current role at work or to help you get a promotion (or teach you how to be more of a leader).
- Maybe there’s even a particular skill your mentor can teach you that’s integral to your desired career.
- When you know what your career goals are, it can help you ask more helpful questions—and it can help your mentor better understand how to guide you.
3
Figure out how you want to communicate and work with them. Hold yourself responsible for the relationship between you and your mentor; you’re asking them for help, so it’s also your job to drive the mentorship forward. Consider when (and how often) you want to meet, how you want to keep in touch, and how long you want the mentorship to last. Once you’ve nailed down the details, also communicate them to your mentor. ^{[9]
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- For example, do you want a mentor for a month or so? Do you want their help with a specific issue, or do you want the mentorship to continue for longer?
- How do you want to check in? Can you meet somewhere to chat, such as their office or a cafe, or would you prefer a virtual video call?
- Ask your mentor if they have any communication preferences, too, and when it’s okay to contact them.
4
Remain open to constructive criticism and advice. Constructive criticism helps you improve your skills and work performance. It can be a little uncomfortable to hear feedback from someone else, but when it’s coming from your mentor, remember that they have your best interests at heart. They’re trying to help! Rather than getting defensive, accept and implement the feedback they give you.
- Try to think of constructive criticism from your mentor as an opportunity. This person is experienced and can help you understand your career path and industry more deeply. That’s a great thing!
5
Prepare some next steps for both of you. Once you meet with your mentor, figure out what comes next. Follow up with them and lay out your plan based on what the two of you discussed and agreed to work on together. It’s essential to hold yourself accountable, especially when it comes to the goals you set with your mentor and the future meetings you agree to. ^{[10]
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- It may help to keep a calendar and set reminders for goal deadlines or check-ins with your mentor.

Section 13 of 15:

How to Ask Your Mentor the Best Questions

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Vague questions make it harder for a mentor to give answers that’ll directly help you and assist with your career goals. On the other hand, specific questions make for a more productive conversation overall, and they’ll give your mentor a better idea of what they can do to advise you.
2

Ask open-ended questions. Open-ended questions require an answer longer than “yes” or “no,” which creates a longer and more open discussion between the two of you. You don’t have to force a conversation, and it won’t help to ask questions you already know the answer to—so try to ask informative questions that’ll help you learn and listen to your mentor’s answers earnestly. ^{[11]
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3
Think of questions based on where you want to grow and improve. First, identify skills or areas of knowledge you want to explore more through your mentorship. Then, ask your mentor questions focused on those subjects so you can get the most out of the conversation! Explore your mentor’s relevant experiences, knowledge, and everything they’ve learned in their career. ^{[12]
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- Try to use the knowledge you get from your mentor, too. Find ways to apply those lessons to your daily life—especially your career.
- When you put your mentor’s lessons into action, share the results with them, too. Show them how you’re using what they taught you and what else you might want to learn.
4

Prepare questions before meeting your mentor. Preparation shows your mentor that you’re taking the mentorship seriously and value their time, so go in with a list of questions ready and a plan for what you want to do with your time together. It’s also a good idea to bring something to take notes with, like a notebook. ^{[13]
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Section 14 of 15:

Benefits of a Mentor-Mentee Relationship

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Mentors can be trusted career guides and advisors. Mentorship is “very important because it allows you to form a connection with someone you trust who has gone before you and can provide some pathway for you to move forward,” says Pachence. In short, a mentor can set the wheels of your career in motion and define its future. Other benefits include:
- Advice and insights. A mentor can point out any weak spots you might need to improve to make progress—and help you do exactly that.
- Support. Whether you need to make an important decision or work toward a big career goal, a mentor can offer guidance that’ll help you navigate any challenge.
- Connections. Mentors naturally have many industry connections. When you have a mentor, they can introduce you to professionals you might not have known otherwise—people who may be able to offer additional guidance.
- Leadership experience. On the mentor’s end, having a mentee can be great for them, too! They’ll gain experience in instructing others and learn more about younger generations of professionals.

Section 15 of 15:

Bonus: Questions for Mentors to Ask Mentees

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Mentors should absolutely be asking questions, too! “Having a mentor who asks you questions and empowers you in your own unique way to move forward is so valuable,” explains Pachence. “It's important for a mentor to also take on a coaching approach from a mentor’s perspective.” To that end, here are some questions a mentor might want to ask:
- What are your career goals?
- What are your goals for this mentorship?
- What would you want the legacy of your career to look like?
- What motivates you at work?
- What are the greatest challenges you’re dealing with right now?
- Where do you see yourself professionally in 5 years?
- What are your greatest professional challenges right now?

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60+ Good Questions to Ask Mentors About Career Development

Best Questions for a Mentor

Steps

Questions About Mentorship Expectations

Questions About Professional Experiences

Questions About Personal Experiences

Questions About Career Goals

Questions About Skill Development

Questions About Career Advancement

Questions for Specific Career Situations

Questions About Networking

Questions About Feedback and Improvement

Questions About the Company or Organization

Questions About Maintaining a Work-Life Balance

What to Do When Meeting a Mentor

How to Ask Your Mentor the Best Questions

Benefits of a Mentor-Mentee Relationship

Bonus: Questions for Mentors to Ask Mentees

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

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