1. Take a proactive role in shaping the relationship.
2. Understand what you want from the mentoring relationship and communicate your goals and aspirations to your mentor. Balance a personal and professional relationship with your mentor.
3. Set aside time for the mentoring process and keep all scheduled appointments with your mentor.
4. Put the time with your mentor to its best use. Come to your meetings with planned topics for discussion.
5. Respond in a timely manner to your mentor's feedback. Respond to emails from your mentor within two days of receipt.
6. Be open and honest with your mentor about your challenges and weaknesses. 
7. If something concerning the mentor needs to be discussed with others, it should first be discussed within the mentoring relationship.

1. Ask for advice on everything. Have a purpose in each request.
2. Blame the mentor if his or her advice doesn't work out.
3. Expect the mentor to know all the answers.
4. Commit yourself to obligations you cannot keep.
5. Cancel meetings/visits with your mentor at the last minute.

Frequently Asked Questions

What am I expected to do? 
Mentors are expected to provide their mentee with about one hour of support and interaction per month. Most of this interaction will take place via email, video conferencing, telephone, face-to-face, as appropriate. Mentors should work with their mentee to determine what kind of support will be most useful—specific feedback related to finding jobs, general career advice, information on higher studies, technical information, personal encouragement, and so on.

How long will the commitment be?
We ask our mentors to make commitments of at least 6 months in order to ensure that the mentee is able to fully benefit from the relationship. If a mentor must leave the relationship early, we request that the mentee is notified in a timely manner so that the mentee can search for another mentor.

Are there any potential risks to me or my company?
No. It is not appropriate for mentors to engage in any business transactions with their mentees; instead, the relationship should only involve the flow of general information and advice.

The relationship is not going well, what should I do?
We encourage you to let the mentee know about the situation and contact the Admin immediately. We will provide our full support to resolve the situation in a positive and satisfactory manner.

Can I be a mentor and mentee? 
Yes. However, mentors are required to have a minimum of 3 years of work experience in the cleaning industry.

Can I continue my relationship longer than 6 months?  
The short answer is yes! If the relationship is productive and the feedback constructive, we encourage you to extend the relationship.

Will the personal and professional information I share through the ISSA Hygieia Network Mentoring Program be kept confidential? 
Yes.

Where can I find the documents and information, I need during my Mentoring Program partnership? 
Information can be found under Recommended Reading.

Mentor Do's

1. Commit at least one interaction/hour of support per month.
2. Set aside time for the mentoring process and honor all appointments.
3. Invite the mentee to meetings or activities, as appropriate. Schedule meetings with planned topics.
4. Be flexible on meeting times and places.
5. Arrange frequent contacts through telephone, email, face-to-face, etc., as appropriate.
6. Respond to emails from your mentee within two days of receipt.
7. Keep information that your mentee has shared with you confidential. If something concerning the mentee needs to be discussed with others, it should first be discussed within the mentoring relationship.
8. Establish open and honest communication and a forum for idea exchange.
9. Foster creativity and independence. Help build self-confidence and offer encouragement.
10. Provide honest and timely feedback to your mentee.
11. Provide opportunities for the mentee to talk about concerns and ask questions.
12. Above all, listen.

Mentor Don'ts

1. Try to give advice on everything.
2. Encourage the mentee to be totally dependent upon you.
3. Provide your personal history, problems, animosities, successes, failures, etc., unless they are constructive contributions.
4. Be too busy when the mentee needs your friendship or your support. If you do not have time, give the mentee a heads up, so that they know when they can reach you.
5. Criticize.