Frequently asked questions

About MentoringIn

What is MentoringIn?

A professional network built around mentoring. Members are matched with mentors who have lived through what they are facing now, such as a career change, a return to work, a first manager role or a move to a new country. You can also meet peers, join Circles and ask questions of people who have been there.

Is it free?

Yes. MentoringIn is free for mentors and mentees.

Who can join right now?

We are opening first to founding mentors, by invitation. Everyone else can join the waitlist on the sign-up page, and we will email you when we open to new members.

Who can join MentoringIn?

Anyone 18 or older who uses their real name.

Is my information private?

You choose what others see. Your Growth Hexagon answers are only ever seen by you. Your goals, session notes and messages are seen only by you and the other person in that mentorship. Visitors who are not signed in never see your photo. Read our Privacy Policy for the details.

For mentors

Who can be a mentor?

Anyone with 10 or more years of professional experience who completes verification.

What does verification involve?

You add your LinkedIn profile and current role, plus any professional license if you have one, and you accept the five mentor commitments. The MentoringIn team reviews it, usually within a few days. Until you are verified you can guide up to 2 mentees.

What are the five mentor commitments?

1. Stay in touch. Keep in regular contact by message, email or a call, and reply to messages within a few days.
2. Never sell. Don't sell or promote services to your mentees, on MentoringIn or outside it.
3. Lived experience, not professional advice. Share what you have lived through. No legal, medical, financial or other professional advice unless you list a verified license.
4. Keep it confidential. What your mentees share stays private, unless someone's safety is at risk.
5. No proprietary information. Never ask for or share any company's confidential or proprietary information.

How much time does it take?

You decide. Most mentors guide 1 or 2 people at a time, with about one call a month plus messages in between. You can guide up to 5 people at once, and you can pause anytime.

What is a founding mentor?

One of the first mentors to join MentoringIn, by invitation. It is an unpaid volunteer role. It gives no ownership in MentoringIn and no role in running it.

Do I need to tell my employer?

Check your company's Code of Conduct or Employee Handbook, usually the sections on outside activities and conflicts of interest. Mentoring on MentoringIn is unpaid and done on your own time and devices. Many companies don't require you to report it, but some ask employees to disclose any outside role, even an unpaid one. If yours does, a short note to your manager or HR is usually enough. Never use company time or equipment for MentoringIn, and never share confidential information. If your profile names your employer, make clear you speak only for yourself. This is general information, not legal advice.

What are mentor tiers?

Tiers recognize the mentoring you complete: Spark, Lantern, Compass, Lighthouse and North Star. Once you earn a tier you keep it for life.

For mentees

How do I find a mentor?

Take the Growth Hexagon, a short self-reflection, then browse mentors. Each mentor shows a fit score and the reasons you match. Send a request with a short note on what you would like help with.

How long does a mentorship last?

Usually 3 to 6 months, as you and your mentor agree. You set goals together and meet about once a month.

How many mentors can I have?

You can start up to 5 new mentorships in any 12 months, and requests that are still waiting count toward that. Most people do best with one or two at a time.

What if it isn't working?

After 2 sessions, either of you can end the mentorship, with no penalty. If you ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable, block or report the person right away. Ending a mentorship over a safety concern never counts against you.

Is mentoring the same as therapy or professional advice?

No. Mentors share lived experience as volunteers. It does not replace a doctor, lawyer, therapist or financial advisor. If you are in crisis in the US, call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency.

Connections

Opens when we welcome mentees, after our founding mentors join.

What is a connection?

Someone you know and trust on MentoringIn who isn't your mentor or mentee. Both people must accept before you are connected.

Who are my people?

"My people" shows everyone close to you on MentoringIn: your mentors, your mentees and your connections.

Can anyone message me?

No. Only your connections and the people you are in a mentorship with can message you. You can remove a connection or block anyone at any time.

Buddies

Opens when we welcome mentees, after our founding mentors join.

What is a buddy?

A peer in a similar situation, for example two people both returning to work, or two homemakers with children the same age. Buddies support each other as equals. No mentor is needed.

How do I find a buddy?

Switch on "Looking for a buddy" in your profile. MentoringIn suggests members in the same Circle, country or language who have switched it on. Send a buddy request, and the other person decides.

What do buddies do?

Whatever helps you both. Most check in by message or a short call once a month to share wins, setbacks and ideas.

Circles

Opens when we welcome mentees, after our founding mentors join.

What is a Circle?

A group of members who share the same situation, such as Returning to work, Working women, Small business or Homemakers. In a Circle you see who else is there and can say hello.

How many Circles can I join?

Up to 10. You can join or leave anytime.

Can I post in a Circle?

Circles start as a place to meet people. Questions and discussions will be added Circle by Circle, with a volunteer moderator for each.

Meet nearby

What is Meet nearby?

A way to meet MentoringIn members in person for professional networking, within about 20 miles of you. You can meet for coffee with a connection or buddy, or join a small open meet of up to 8 people for your Circle.

Will people see where I live?

No. Meet nearby is opt-in. Other members only ever see your city or "within 20 miles", never your address or exact distance.

How do I stay safe?

Meet only in public places, such as a café, library or coworking space. One-to-one meets are only between people who are already connected. Every meet has a Report button.

When does it open?

City by city, once an area has enough members to make it worthwhile. The first meet will be in Greater Philadelphia.

Still have a question?

Email us at hello@mentoringin.com.