Virtual Speed Mentoring Platform

The mentoring matching process offers interested employees an opportunity to work with a mentor who can best support their developmental needs. To identify and select a suitable match, mentors and mentorees will be invited to participate in a virtual networking event known as Speed Mentoring. Speed Mentoring is a fast-paced and powerful way to meet mentoring prospects and clarify mentoring goals and match competency criteria.

Although an informal mentoring connection between two people may naturally happen, formal mentoring relationships are built over time and include mutual trust and respect for differences. Designed to facilitate thought provoking conversations, the Virtual Speed Mentoring event will help participants get to know each other before committing to and finalizing a formal mentoring partnership.

How it Works
The use of technology engages participants so no matter where they are based physically, they can connect virtually with the available pool of mentors. As soon as mentorees enter the Virtual Speed Mentoring event, they will be randomly paired with a mentor. They will engage in an 8-minute video or text-based conversation with a potential mentor and learn more about the mentor’s skills, competencies and credentials.

When the chat ends, either because time ran out or because one of the participants moved to the next connection, both mentors and mentorees will be able to rate the connection and take notes. These notes are private and available to refer back to after the Virtual Speed Mentoring event has ended.

How to Prepare for a Virtual Speed Mentoring Event
Mentorees often make the mistake of assuming that the best mentoring match will be with someone of like style. While compatibility may offer a comfortable relationship, it does not always result in the best mentoring match. The best matches are often the ones in which there are key differences (for example, differences in experiences, behavioral style, location, gender and so on).

Mentorees
One of the first steps in identifying a mentor is to clearly understand your developmental goals:

What do you hope to gain from a mentor? (career advice, navigating skills, relationship skills)
Are you looking for someone who is a master in their field of expertise? If so, what field?
Are you hoping to build an ongoing mentoring relationship with someone? If so, what do you have in mind in terms of the length and frequency of the mentoring meetings?
Do you prefer a mentor in your same geographical location? Or different?

Mentors
Mentors also should take the time to look into their mentoring prospects to ensure that any particular issue that is important to them is addressed early in the process. This helps increase the likelihood that the mentoring matches will result in a more positive experience for both partners.

If you could describe your ideal mentoree, how would you describe their qualities, capabilities, and character?
Are you looking for someone who wants to sharpen their technical expertise in a certain business area or would you prefer someone who wants to broaden their leadership and organizational experience?
Are you hoping to build an ongoing mentoring relationship with someone? If so, what do you have in mind in terms of the length and frequency of the mentoring meetings?
Do you prefer a mentoree in your same geographical location? Or different?

The following are some suggested speed mentoring questions for the mentorees to ask the mentors and for the mentors to be prepared to answer:

How did you get to your current position?
What are some of the sacrifices that you have had to make to achieve that position?
Would you make the same career choices again? Why or why not?
Describe your current position. What other fields have you worked in over the years?
What advice would you have for someone considering your field or a similar position?
What do you consider to be the unwritten rules for your position and/or organization?