What to expect at a mentoring appointment

If you've never had a mentoring appointment before, you might be wondering what you're supposed to say, worried about what they will ask or whether you need to have a big plan for your future already. In this blog, we want to put your mind at ease - no one is expecting you to have all the answers, that's why we're here to help you work through things one small step at a time.

What is mentoring?

Mentoring may sound very formal but a mentoring appointment is a chance to have a conversation with someone who is here to listen, support you and help you work towards your goals. Whilst the idea of talking to someone new might make you feel nervous at first, you'll have a consistent mentor throughout your time with IAF so you can find confidence and trust in the support we have available. Most importantly, this is a confidential and non-judgmental space where you be honest and open about personal barriers whilst building your employability skills and figuring out which path is right for you.

At your first appointment

Your first meeting with your mentor is usually just about getting to know each other. We'll work through a simple registration form together and discuss things like your education, work experience, home life and mental health. It's not an interview, you can ask questions too and should make you feel comfortable talking honestly about what's going on. It also allows us to build up a picture of the kind of support networks you have in place already so we can work together to secure the best outcomes for you.

What happens during a session?

Every mentoring session is shaped by the young person we're working with but a typical session might include:

• a general check in to talk through how your week has been

• looking over something you've been working on

• talking through a problem or decision

• exploring your goals and aspirations

• learning new skills such as how to write a great CV or researching local job/volunteering opportunities that you can apply to.

• discussing feedback from work experience providers or interviews

• preparing for your next steps after securing a job or college offer.

Will I need to prepare anything for my appointments?

At the end of a mentoring session, you might come away with a simple action to try before you next meet. These might be to book a GP appointment to discuss your mental health, make notes about your work experience to date or look at course options nearby - all small independent steps within a longer supported journey that cumulatively work towards the future you dreamed of.

What if I can't make my session?

If you can't make an appointment, just get in touch to let us know so we can check the diary and reschedule.