How to Find the Right Mentor (and Ask the Right Questions)

Whether you're learning to code, launching a startup, or transitioning careers, working with a mentor can accelerate your growth—if you know how to use that time well.

As a mentor on Codementor.io, I’ve worked with developers, founders, students and career-switchers across all levels. Here’s what I’ve learned about what makes mentorship effective—from your side as a mentee.

✅ Step 1: Define What You Actually Need

Before booking a mentor, ask yourself:

• Am I trying to fix a bug, ship a feature, or grow a skill?
• Is this a short-term unblock or a long-term learning journey?
• Do I want a teacher, a code reviewer, or a strategic advisor?

Different mentors specialize in different things. Being clear up front helps you find someone who fits.

💬 Step 2: Message Like a Pro

Here’s a great intro message:

“Hi Rich, I’m building a Shopify store and need help improving performance and SEO. I’m familiar with HTML/CSS but not confident about technical audits. Ideally looking for someone to guide me through optimizations and maybe set up analytics. Let me know if that’s in your wheelhouse!”

That message gives me context, a skill snapshot, and what success looks like. That makes it easy for me (or any mentor) to say: Yes, I can help!

🎯 Step 3: Ask Better Questions

During your session, avoid:

• “How do I become a better developer?”
• “Can you help me with everything?”

Instead, try:

• “What would you focus on if you were me right now?”
• “Can you walk me through how to debug this like a pro?”
• “What would make my resume stand out technically?”

⏳ Step 4: Respect the Clock, Then Reflect

Your mentor’s time is valuable—and so is yours. Keep notes. Set action items. After the session, ask yourself:

• What did I learn?
• What can I apply before our next meeting?

Following up with a quick update (even if you don’t book again right away) builds strong relationships.

🧭 Final Thought

A mentor isn’t just a teacher—they’re a catalyst. If you show up with clarity and curiosity, you’ll gain more than knowledge—you’ll gain momentum.

If you’re looking for help with:

• Building and launching real-world projects
• Mastering Shopify, JavaScript, or Python
• Getting hired in tech or launching a freelance business

I’d love to help. Check out my profile and let’s build something together.