MENTOR INTERVIEW Rock Creek Senior Exit Project Interview Rationale/Process/Questions

RATIONALE Why do we have to do this?

RATIONALE You meet your mentor to form a working relationship Your mentor understands his/her responsibilities You ensure you have chosen a qualified mentor You and your mentor review your proposal together You can obtain the necessary information and the required signatures You gain experience in a professional interview situation Proper attire, body language, etiquette, promptness, etc. Listening, questioning, and speaking skills

PROCESS How should we do this?

PROCESS: BEFORE Contact your mentor well in advance of the due date to arrange a face-to-face meeting at their convenience Make the initial contact by phone Make the call in a quiet, private place where you cannot be interrupted Make sure your cell phone (if using one) is charged and has a signal Use proper grammar/language during the conversation Do not interrupt the potential mentor Introduce yourself and explain your reason for calling Ask if there would be a good time to meet to discuss the mentor’s duties and your proposal and to interview the mentor Verify the date, the time, and the place of the face-to-face meeting Get their address to send the mentor brochure or refer him/her to the web site to review it before you meet Thank the potential mentor for agreeing to meet with you!

PROCESS: BEFORE Make arrangements to record your mentor interview Can use either audio or video recording devices, but be sure that you can either save/send the file or turn in a tape Verify that your audio or video recording device works before you meet with your mentor Have charged batteries in your device Have ample space on the device to record Test the device before you arrive at the interview

PROCESS: BEFORE Dress for success Bathe or shower before you meet your mentor… seriously Use deodorant, but do not use cologne or perfumes Brush your teeth and use mouthwash or mints Remove any unusual piercings and cover tattoos Select clothing that is appropriate and professional

PROCESS: BEFORE Gather your necessary materials Hand-written draft of your proposal form Blank copy of your interview form Mentor information brochure Working blue pen(s) Recording device

PROCESS: BEFORE Leave early Allow enough time to find the location and for any traffic Be on time for the meeting!

PROCESS: DURING Be professional from start to finish Shake the potential mentor’s hand Look the person in the eyes and smile at him/her Take the person’s hand in yours with a firm, comfortable grip Say something nice and use the person’s name Stay standing until you are invited to sit Stand again if you are introduced to someone else Maintain good posture Maintain natural eye contact Be attentive and speak intelligently

PROCESS: DURING Use your time effectively Remember that the potential mentor is giving up his/her time for you, so stick to the task at hand But, be conversational, too… And, make sure to complete all the tasks necessary

PROCESS: DURING Start the conversation Break the ice by introducing yourself State the reason for meeting (to find a mentor for your project) Explain the Exit Project, as you give him/her the brochure Allow him/her to ask questions about the project, if necessary

PROCESS: DURING Complete the mentor interview Ask the mentor if you can record the interview Do not interrupt or talk over your mentor while recording Ask questions exactly as they are written on the interview form Explain, though, any questions the mentor does not understand Allow ample time for the mentor to reply Ask the mentor to repeat or explain any answers, if necessary Appear interested and be conversational with your mentor Write down notes unobtrusively and accurately in shorthand Turn off the recording device at the end of the interview

PROCESS: DURING Discuss your proposal Talk your mentor through your drafted steps Ask your mentor to identify potential problems and to give suggestions Have your mentor review your drafted estimates People involved, resources needed, time, expense, etc. Complete the “Mentor Confirmation” information Have your mentor sign the proposal and interview in blue ink Verify that all portions of both forms are complete

PROCESS: DURING THANK YOUR MENTOR!!! Stand up again Shake hands again Show your appreciation again

PROCESS: AFTER Review your proposal Verify, again, that all sections are completed Make sure you and your parent/guardian sign it and date it

PROCESS: AFTER Transcribe your mentor interview Listen to your recorded interview and transcribe (type out) the questions you asked and the answers you received verbatim (word for word) in a Word document Do not erase the interview after you transcribe it Download/save the file or remove/save the tape Print out the transcribed interview and attach it to the proposal and interview forms that your mentor signed

PROCESS: AFTER Meet the deadline! Signed, drafted proposal form Signed, drafted interview notes form Transcribed interview document Interview file/tape

QUESTIONS What do we ask the mentors?

REQUIRED QUESTIONS 1.What questions or concerns do you have so far about the Exit Project program? Allow him/her to ask about anything in the brochure or that you have said 2.What training or experience do you have in this field? Make sure he/she has at least two years of experience (preferably professional) in the field 3.How did you become interested in or discover this field or this activity? Use this information to determine if he/she is passionate and is interested in the field 4.Do you feel that you will have the time and the ability to mentor me through this process? Make sure he/she knows when you will need to meet and that he/she will need to attend your presentation 5.What days and times, in general, work best to contact you or to meet with you? Use this as a way to know when you can contact and meet with him/her 6.What would be the best way to contact you? (Get address, , and phone) Use this as a way to know how he/she prefers to be contacted and to fill out the proposal 7.Do you see any problems with my proposal (steps and estimates), as written? Make sure he/she understands your project and gives advice on any potential problems

OPTIONAL QUESTIONS If you plan to use the interview as a research paper source, ask and record at least 10 additional questions Write open-ended questions before the interview Open-ended means they must be answered with more than a “yes/no” or one-word response Open-ended usually start with “Why…” or “How…” Focus the questions around an aspect of your research paper Preferably, you would do this interview after you start research If you do this interview at the same time as the proposal interview, make sure that you have your questions approved by Mrs. Augustine-Stegman beforehand!

OPTIONAL QUESTIONS 1.What training or education would you suggest for a beginner interested in this field or activity? 2.How much time, on average, do you spend actively participating or working in this field or activity? 3.What have you discovered to be the most rewarding aspect of the field or activity? 4.What advice would you provide to a beginner in the field or activity? 5.(Question developed by the student.) 6.(Question developed by the student.) 7.(Question developed by the student.) 8.(Question developed by the student.) 9.(Question developed by the student.) 10.(Question developed by the student.)

CONCERNS/COMMENTS?