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are included here, but you can include someone you met just once—perhaps at a family gathering or on a plane during an instant (Do 38).

Friends of Friends

This is a huge population of maybementors that you don’t even know exist. Your friends do, though. So ask around. Press hard for this. All the maybementors can do is say, “No.”

Famous People

Perhaps someone who spoke at a convention you attended. Or a local politician. How about someone who writes a newspaper column? A community activist?

This is not about supercharging your sphere of influence (Do 84). It’s about divining that one person whose mission in life is “You interviewing!”

Call the Maybementor

Write a little script.

This is a likely scenario:

You: Hello, Mr. Mentori. This is Pete Protege. You may not remember me, but I heard you speak at the Robot Roboat Roundtable last spring.

Merv: Yes, Pete. I’m very important, but you can call me Merv. To what do I owe the honor of your call?

You: Well, I wanted to meet with you to discuss my future. I want to become a mechanical engineer and thought you might be able to help me get interviewed for a drafter job.

Merv: But I’m a very important funeral director! How can I find you a drafter job?

You: I thought we could meet and talk about where the bodies are buried! (laughing)

Merv (laughing too): Well, that’s one I haven’t heard! What about anything where you’d be around robots, like the bicycle factory in town?

You: I’d be honored to go anywhere you recommend, since you’re so important!

Merv: That’s right, I am. But enough about me . . . what’s in it for me?

You: I’d like to be your protege. I know that sounds very forward since we haven’t met, but all I need is a chance. I’d represent you very well.

Merv: Why don’t we get together some time and talk about it?

You: How about this afternoon? (If it ain’t instant, it ain’t important.)

Merv: I’ll be at the Hilldale Country Club getting my golf clubs polished. How’d you like to meet me at the snack bar? I’ll be with my famous caddy, Hector.

You: That would be perfect. How does three o’clock sound?

Merv: I’m being interviewed by a local TV news reporter, but we should be done about three-fifteen. I’ll meet you at the snack bar. Bring copies of your resume.

You: Oh, yes sir! I’ll bring business cards too. (A box of them!)

Express Sincere Compliments

Mentors are volunteers. They’re not being paid money to get you interviews.

So what are they being paid? Compliments. The following shows how Pete should compliment Merv when he meets him:

“I really appreciate your willingness to lend your prestige to getting me interviews.” (Note it’s not just a generalized “You’re great.” It’s a specific link of prestige between the act of willingness and the result of interviews.)

“I’m so fortunate to have you taking me under your wing.” (Note the roles of mentor and protege are being clearly defined.)

“Having you as my mentor is a great benefit to me. You won’t regret it.” (Note the elevation of the person to mentor, the acknowledgement of value benefit and the assurances that he’s doing the right thing.)

Respect the Mentor and His Referrals

Mentors are paid compliments, but they’re motivated by unwavering respect.

If you go out on a protege interview and have to wait, you wait.

If you’re inadvertently mistreated by the mentor (say by an insulting remark), you don’t insult him back.

If you’re asked to do some reasonable favor by the mentor, you do it enthusiastically.

Say Nice Things about the Mentor to Offerors

You can be certain that whatever you say will get back to the mentor.

These are his business associates. He’s putting himself on the line for you, and you pay by paying compliments.

Report Back to the Mentor after Each Interview

Let him know what happened and how much you liked the offeror and the biz. Always. It is an unwritten mentor mantra that you like everyone and everything—even if the mentor doesn’t.

Then, order—er—ask the mentor to follow up. Suggest