FPA Mentor Match FAQs
GENERAL
What is FPA Mentor Match?
As your professional home, we offer a plethora of services designed to support your professional development needs, and FPA Mentor Match is the latest addition to those expanding services. It's an online tool - with a searchable database - that facilitates establishing Mentor relationships with fellow financial planning professionals. Mentor Match allows registered Mentees to search among registered Mentors using specified criteria to find people whose experience and expertise match areas in which they wish to be mentored. Likewise, registered Mentors can search for and indentify potential Mentees.
Is there a fee associated with using Mentor Matching?
There is no extra fee for FPA Mentor Match. It's a perk available only for FPA members and is included un your annual membership fee.
How are Mentors and Mentees matched?
Members must first enroll as a Mentor, Mentee or both. During the enrollment process, FPA members will select preferences for various demographics (including Mentoring Venue and Mentoring Topics) to establish their personal criteria.
Registered Mentees can visit the “Find a Mentor” page and fill in their search criteria to search for possible Mentors. The Mentee will click the names of the potential Mentors to view their profiles. Once the Mentee has decided on a Mentor, they will click on the Mentor badge (seen below the registered Mentor's profile picture) to request that person as their Mentor. An e-mail will be sent to the Mentor alerting them that they have been requested to be a Mentor. The Mentor will be able to accept or decline the request.
Registered Mentors can similarly visit the “Find a Mentee” page and fill in their search criteria to search for possible Mentees. The Mentor will click the names of the potential Mentees to view their profiles. Once the Mentor has decided on a Mentee, they will click on the Mentee badge (seen below the registered Mentee's profile picture) to request that person as their Mentee. An e-mail will be sent to the Mentee alerting them that they have been requested to be a Mentee. The Mentee will be able to accept or decline the request.
FOR MENTORS
How do I become a Mentor?
If you are an FPA member, click here to enroll as a Mentor. You will be instructed to choose your preferences for various demographics and also to complete your member profile.
Who are the Mentees?
Mentees are other members who need you to help support their careers.
Can I have more than one Mentee?
While there is no limit to the number of mentoring relationships you can establish, we recommend that you only select Mentees who are most suited to learn from your expertise and experience. You can also limit the number of Mentee requests you are willing to accept on the Mentoring enrollment page.
How do I find Mentees?
After enrolling as a Mentor, go the "Find a Mentee" page and select the criteria you want to use for your Mentee search. Click on the Mentees'' names to view their profiles. Once you have found a good match, click on the Mentee badge (seen below the Mentee's profile image) to send the Mentee an email request.
How will I know if a Mentee has selected me as their Mentor?
Once a Mentee selects you as their Mentor, you'll receive an e-mail notifying you they've done so. In the email, you'll be prompted to accept or reject the request.
Is it okay to reject a request?
Yes, but there should be a good reason to do so. Once case where a match might not be a good fit is if a potential Mentee has misinterpreted information in your profile. If you want to decline a request, go to the "My Mentoring Relationships" page and check the "decline" button next to the specific request. But keep in mind that we encourage you to at least have an intial conversation to explore whether the relationshipwould be mutually fulfilling/
What if I’m going to be on vacation or unavailable for a period of time?
Go to the "Mentor Enrollment" page, click the “Mentor Status” link then click on the check-box next to “Temporarily Not Participating.” Doing this will indicate that you are not accepting any Mentee requests at the moment, and your mentoring profile will not be included in a Mentee’s search for a Mentor. If you already have existing relationships, please let them know you will be away and alert them to when you will be back.
How do I end a mentoring relationship?
If the mentoring relationship is complete, go to the "My Mentoring Relationships" page and mark the relationship as “completed.”
If the mentoring relationship isn't working out, please kindly discuss your decision to end the relationship with your Mentee. After your discussion, go to the "My Mentoring Relationships" page and mark the relationship as “completed.”
What are the expectations for participating Mentors?
We expect that you will fulfill your commitment to develop at least one mentoring relationship. We expect you to respond to initial requests from Mentees in a timely manner, and that you communicate with your Mentees as agreed upon by both you and your Mentees.
How much time will I need to invest as a Mentor?
We recommend that at the beginning of your relationship, you and your Mentees agree on a schedule that works best for both of you. The most important thing is to discuss your mutual expectations about time and communication at the start of your relationship. Keep in mind that mentoring doesn’t necessarily require large amounts of your time. Even brief phone calls or e-mail exchanges with you can make a big difference to your Mentees. Our Annual FPA Summit also offers a convenuent venue for getting together with your Mentees over coffee or lunch
What benefits do I receive from the organization if I participate as a Mentor in the program?
All Mentors are volunteers. As an active program participant, you will receive a ribbon identifying you as a Mentor.
FOR MENTEES
How do I become a Mentee?
If you are an FPA member, click here to enroll as a Mentee. You will be instructed to choose your preferences for various demographics and also to complete your member profile. Remember that doing so ensures you'll find the best match for you.
Who are the Mentors?
Mentors are other FPA members who have volunteered their time to support other members' careers.
Can I have more than one Mentor?
While there is no limit to the number of mentoring relationships you can establish, we recommend that you only select Mentors who are most suited to your mentoring needs. Please keep in mind that mentors have limited time to offer and may have other Mentoring relationships.
How do I find a Mentor?
Once you have enrolled as a Mentee, go to the "Find a Mentor" page and select the criteria you want to use for your Mentor search. Click on the Mentors' names to view their profiles. Once you have found a good match, click on the Mentor badge (seen below the Mentor's profile image) to send the Mentor an email request.
What should I do if I don’t hear from the Mentor I requested?
If you don’t hear from the Mentor within one or two weeks, feel free to contact them using the contact information found on their profile page.
What if the Mentor isn’t the right “fit” for my needs?
Sometimes, regardless of the information provided, Mentors and Mentees don’t always click. If this happens, we suggest that you discuss your decision honestly and kindly with your Mentor; thank them for their time then start a new Mentor search.
Where can I meet with my Mentor?
It is up to you and your Mentor to decide how, when and where you want to pursue your mentoring relationship. It is likely that most of your communication will occur virtually or by phone. And FPA Summit is always a great opportunity to meet your Mentor in person.
How long does the mentoring relationship last?
We recommend that you and your Mentor agree on a schedule that works best for both of you. The most important thing is to discuss your mutual expectations about time and communication at the start of your relationship.