Questions to Ask Mentor About Career Development Reddit
Strategic questions to engage with mentors and gain valuable career development insights, based on popular Reddit discussions and proven mentorship practices.
1What was your biggest career mistake and what did you learn from it?
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What was your biggest career mistake and what did you learn from it?
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Why this works
Reveals their vulnerability and shows what they learned from failures, providing valuable lessons about resilience and growth from setbacks.
2How did you identify your career passion and what advice do you have for finding mine?
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How did you identify your career passion and what advice do you have for finding mine?
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Why this works
Shows their self-discovery process and reveals their methods for identifying what truly motivates and fulfills them professionally.
3What skills do you wish you had developed earlier in your career?
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What skills do you wish you had developed earlier in your career?
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Why this works
Reveals skill gaps they discovered and shows what additional preparation would have been helpful for their career advancement.
4How do you handle career transitions and what strategies work best?
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How do you handle career transitions and what strategies work best?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to career development and reveals their strategies for navigating career changes and transitions successfully.
5What is your approach to networking and building professional relationships?
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What is your approach to networking and building professional relationships?
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Why this works
Reveals their networking strategies and shows their methods for building and maintaining valuable professional connections over time.
6How do you stay current with industry trends and what resources do you recommend?
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How do you stay current with industry trends and what resources do you recommend?
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Why this works
Shows their commitment to continuous learning and reveals their methods for staying informed about industry developments and trends.
7What is your approach to work-life balance and how do you maintain it?
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What is your approach to work-life balance and how do you maintain it?
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Why this works
Reveals their strategies for managing career and personal commitments and shows their approach to maintaining well-being while advancing professionally.
8How do you handle different leadership styles and what is your approach to managing up?
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How do you handle different leadership styles and what is your approach to managing up?
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Why this works
Shows their interpersonal skills and reveals their strategies for working effectively with different types of leaders and managers.
9What is your approach to taking calculated risks in your career?
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What is your approach to taking calculated risks in your career?
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Why this works
Reveals their risk assessment skills and shows their methods for evaluating and taking career risks that can lead to growth and advancement.
10How do you handle failure and what is your approach to bouncing back?
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How do you handle failure and what is your approach to bouncing back?
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Why this works
Shows their resilience and reveals their strategies for recovering from setbacks and using failures as learning opportunities.
11What is your approach to mentoring others and how do you give back?
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What is your approach to mentoring others and how do you give back?
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Why this works
Reveals their mentorship philosophy and shows their commitment to helping others grow and develop professionally.
12How do you handle different workplace cultures and what is your approach to adapting?
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How do you handle different workplace cultures and what is your approach to adapting?
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Why this works
Shows their adaptability and reveals their strategies for navigating different organizational cultures and environments effectively.
13What is your approach to salary negotiations and what advice do you have?
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What is your approach to salary negotiations and what advice do you have?
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Why this works
Reveals their negotiation skills and shows their strategies for advocating for fair compensation and career advancement.
14How do you handle different personality types in the workplace?
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How do you handle different personality types in the workplace?
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Why this works
Shows their interpersonal skills and reveals their strategies for working effectively with diverse personalities and communication styles.
15What is your approach to building a personal brand and professional reputation?
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What is your approach to building a personal brand and professional reputation?
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Why this works
Reveals their personal branding strategies and shows their methods for building and maintaining a strong professional reputation.
16How do you handle different learning styles and what is your approach to continuous learning?
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How do you handle different learning styles and what is your approach to continuous learning?
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Why this works
Shows their learning strategies and reveals their methods for acquiring new skills and knowledge throughout their career.
17What is your approach to handling difficult conversations and conflicts?
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What is your approach to handling difficult conversations and conflicts?
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Why this works
Reveals their communication skills and shows their strategies for addressing challenging situations and maintaining professional relationships.
18How do you handle different career stages and what advice do you have for each?
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How do you handle different career stages and what advice do you have for each?
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Why this works
Shows their understanding of career development and reveals their guidance for navigating different stages of professional growth.
19What is your approach to giving and receiving feedback?
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What is your approach to giving and receiving feedback?
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Why this works
Reveals their communication skills and shows their strategies for providing and accepting constructive feedback for professional growth.
20What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in your field?
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What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in your field?
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Why this works
Shows their mentorship approach and reveals the guidance they would offer to someone beginning their professional journey.
Best Practices for Mentor Career Development Conversations
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Be Specific About Your Goals
Clearly articulate your career goals and challenges. This helps mentors provide more targeted and relevant advice for your specific situation.
Show Genuine Interest
Listen actively and ask follow-up questions that demonstrate your interest in their experiences and advice. This builds stronger mentor relationships.
Take Action on Advice
Follow through on the advice you receive and report back on your progress. This shows respect for their time and helps them see the impact of their guidance.
Question Sequences
The Experience and Learning Sequence
The Skills and Development Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Ask for Job Opportunities Too Early
Focus on learning and building relationships first. Don't immediately ask for job opportunities or favors from your mentor.
Don't Ignore Their Time
Be respectful of their time and don't overstay your welcome. Keep conversations focused and efficient.
Don't Make Assumptions
Avoid making assumptions about their experiences or career path. Ask questions to understand their specific journey and advice.