How would you approach this conversation?

[smashin]

I booked a mentorship meeting with a senior manager at my company and she accepted. We don’t work together - this is our first time meeting.

She sent her LinkedIn to get an idea of her career path. I had a look but don’t really have much to reflect on it - eg she’s highly skilled in lean principles and process innovation which I have no experience in. I want to enter a career in digital but more as a software developer.

In the conversation tomorrow, do I mention her linked in and ask token questions to build rapport? Worried about coming off as insincere but think if she’s sent me it, she wants me to mention it.

It gives you a view of her career but mentoring really is all about you and your goals. The first session should always be about getting to know each other a little and you sharing what you want to get out of the mentoring sessions and what support you would like.

A mentor will share things that they did to progress to help fuel ideas for you to discuss and take forward.

Thank you, really looking forward to it

I agree with above, the mentoring process is about someone helping you with your goals. I would mention that you looked at her linkedin after she sent it and maybe ask a question about something - helps build rapport.
I am a mentor at work. A question I always ask someone is "what do you enjoy at/about work?" I find I get a much more valuable answer than asking "what do you do in your job?". Career progression for job titles and salary is one thing, but I try to encourage reflection on what part you want work to play in your whole life.