DateableHow to post a mentoring invitation on the Board
Say what you know, what your first session covers, and the hours you give. The right applicants will recognise themselves.
A good mentoring invitation tells applicants what you know, what you'll work on together in a first session, and how many hours you give. This is how people who genuinely want your help find you, rather than people chasing a free meal or someone's money.
Choose mentoring as your kind
On the Board posting form, select "mentoring" as the kind of invitation. This filters the listings so people looking for guidance find you instead of swiping past event invitations or travel offers. The kind is the difference between someone who has three hours free and thinks mentoring sounds nice, and someone who wants to get better at something you actually teach.
Mentoring sits alongside dinner dates, events, travel trips and ongoing arrangements. Choosing it correctly means your applicants are people ready to learn, not browsing.
Say what field you know
Name your expertise in the title or opening line. A title like "Career coaching for your next job search" tells applicants exactly what you do. It is more useful than "Mentoring" or "Let me help you succeed". Be specific enough that someone in your field recognises it.
- Resume writing and job applications
- Interview technique
- Career pivots (from one field to another)
- Building a portfolio or business case
- Public speaking or presentation skills
- Writing and editing
- Technical skills (coding, design, marketing)
If your expertise crosses fields, name them. "Career transition and public speaking coaching for people moving into executive roles" is more useful than a generic title. People apply when they see themselves in what you describe.
Plan your first session
Say what happens in the first meeting. Not every session, just the first one. A first session that is concrete and achievable builds confidence in an applicant that you actually do this work.
First session: one hour over coffee. We'll talk through your CV, what you're aiming for, and three things to change before you apply for your next role.
Good first sessions are small and specific. "Review a document", "roleplay an interview", "map your skills to job descriptions", "record a two-minute pitch and give feedback". These show what mentoring actually looks like when you meet. Something vague like "discuss your goals" sounds like a coffee catch-up, not mentoring.
Mention the format too: in person, video call, or a mix. Some people have mobility limits or live far away; knowing how you work helps them decide.
Set the duration in hours
This is the total time you're giving, not per session. "Duration: 3 hours" means three hours across all sessions, whether that is one three-hour session or three one-hour ones. You set the pace. This is honest: applicants know they are not asking for unlimited access.
Three hours covers a full CV review with interview prep. Five hours lets you work through a portfolio or multiple drafts. Ten hours is enough for a serious career project. Match your offer to what you actually have and want to give. Do not oversell to make the invitation sound bigger.
Describe what you offer
The offer field is where you say what you are giving. For mentoring, this is almost always "time and advice". You are offering your expertise and your hours, not money, a job, or a gift. Say it plainly so there is no confusion.
Offer: Time and advice. I'll coach you through interviews and review your CV draft.
If you are also giving something else, name it. "Time and advice, plus I'll introduce you to someone in your field if it fits." Or "Time, advice, and a coffee on me." Do not add things you are not genuinely offering; applicants will sense it and the better matches will pass.
Decide who should apply
Use the "looking for" section to be clear about who works best with you. This is not about filtering out people; it is about helping the right person find you. A good mentoring match is someone who wants exactly what you give.
- Experience level (early career, mid-career, career pivot)
- The specific situation (looking for their first job, applying to promotions, moving industries)
- Whether they have done this before (first time writing a portfolio, professional coach experience not needed)
You can also say who you work best with. "I work best with people who are ready to act on feedback, not just brainstorm ideas." This filters for people whose style matches yours. When mentees do the work, the mentoring works.
Reading applications
When someone applies, their note tells you why they want this mentoring. You are looking for someone who has read your offer and knows what they are asking for. An applicant who says "I need interview coaching for my next job applications" is a better fit than "I want help with my career". The specific applicant knows what they are getting.
Applicants who have done their homework in their own field are easier to mentor. Someone who has drafted a resume already and wants feedback moves faster than someone starting from scratch. You can teach either, but knowing who you are getting lets you set realistic expectations.
When you accept someone, a conversation opens between you both. You can say hello, confirm the time and place for the first session, and ask any questions before you meet. Follow the guide to post an invitation, and read more about being a generous member if you want help with finding, vetting and working with the right person.
