STEP 1: Create Your Mentor/Mentee Profile
Create your mentor or mentee profile--some create both as there is always something to be learned from someone else! Add your resume, areas of focus, and summary of what you’re looking for in a mentoring relationship. The more detail you can provide, the more likely you'll find a strong match. To create your profile, you must log into ASIS' CareerHQ with your ASIS membership credentials - once logged in, click the Mentorship tab.
Enroll as a Mentor
Enroll as a Mentee
STEP 2: Find a Mentor
Mentees— As the mentee, you are in control of who you choose to work with based on what you’re looking for in a mentoring relationship. As mentors cannot reach out to you without you initiating a request, it is important to be proactive in your search. Once your mentee profile is finalized, search the mentor directory and utilize the filter to find the right potential match--then request an engagement. Tip: when using the filter, start off with one or two primary filters and then add on from there. Adding too many filters from the start may result in "0 Results." Then, in the note for the request of engagement, be specific in your request. What about the mentor's profile resonated with you? What are you hoping to achieve in a mentoring relationship? And how long of a commitment are you looking for? We suggest six months, but share what works best for you - you may just need a few meetings or you may be looking for a lifelong mentor.
Mentors—When you enroll in the program, you’ll receive an informative email with detailed instructions on how to best move forward once you receive a request. Save it for reference as it provides tools and resources to help you guide the mentee in the achievement of their goals.
STEP 3: Discovery Call
Once the mentee has requested an engagement using the mentor directory, the mentor should review the request within 2 to 3 business days and respectfully accept or decline.
If the mentor accepts the request, the mentor and mentee will then be able to view each other's email address. This is key as you'll no longer communicate via the mentoring directory - but should follow up via email to schedule the first call/meeting. Please review
mentor and
mentee roles and responsibilities before your meeting so both parties are aware of their respective expectations. Mentors, you can prepare for your first meeting with this
quick video. Mentees can do the same with this
tip sheet as well!
Though the hope is that you'll find a great match in this discovery call, we understand these calls also may bring to light reasons for not being a good fit. If this happens, no worries, there are over 700 security leaders hoping to provide mentorship -
start your search again.
STEP 4: Agree on a Plan
Congratulations! You're all set. You completed steps 1-3 and are now ready for the fun stuff. Once you've both determined this is a good match--it's time to commit to a productive mentoring relationship. First, start to get to know one another a bit more - here's a great list of first meeting questions.
In the first few meetings, it's important to set goals - so that both are understanding of where they should focus and can measure the success of the mentoring relationship. Check out this SMART goals worksheet and OSKAR Coaching Model Template as a guide in this process.
STEP 5: Meet as Agreed
The mentor and mentee should continue to meet as planned for the time agreed on. Be sure to continue to check in with your goal setting at each meeting to see if goals need to be adjusted. If either party is unable to attend a meeting, please let the other person know.
As a member of the mentoring program, you have access to ASIS' Mentoring Community which has a number of resources available and a discussion board for questions. The community meets quarterly, RSVP for an upcoming meeting and share your story or learn from others!
STEP 6: Reflect and Assess
At the end of the engagement, the mentor and mentee should reflect and assess the process together. Were the mentee's goals met? Did the mentor help the mentee meet objectives? Do the parties need to extend the timeline? Should the mentee find another mentor that may be better suited to the mentee's needs or another area of expertise? Did both parties fulfill the expectations of the mentoring engagement?
ASIS appreciates your feedback on the program and process. Please complete our survey to share your feedback.