Steps for becoming a mentor
Over the years, you have learned how to truly be an entrepreneur and to feel confident in that role. Your experience can inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and encourage them to become even better.
To become a mentor with Mentorship Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, you must meet certain criteria. We favor the recruitment of active and retired entrepreneurs, including self-employed entrepreneurs. You are also required to have at least five years of experience at the helm of your business.
01. Subscription request
You must first fill out a form to apply for membership. A confirmation of receipt of your request will be sent to you by email.
Please note that there are no membership fees to become a mentor.
02. Application assessment
All membership applications are properly evaluated upon receipt. The assessment is usually done by a team of mentors at the point of service selected on the membership form, as part of a meeting with the future mentor. Main evaluation criteria include:
- Entrepreneurial experience (5+ years)
- Business management experience
- Volunteer and mentor experience
- Reputation (credibility, integrity, trustworthiness)
- Motivation for becoming a mentor
- Availability
- Ability to listen, put yourself in someone else’s shoes and be open to their ideas (non-directive)
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and articulate way
- Personal values
03. Training
After your application has been accepted by your local point of service, you will be invited to attend a mandatory workshop (Introduction to Mentoring – Is Mentoring for Me?). Once you have passed this requirement, you will be officially recognized as a mentor. Other workshops and accreditation programs have also been set up to help you continue to tweak your skills as a mentor.
04. Pairing with a mentee
Your mentoring cell, which receives requests from entrepreneurs in your area, is responsible for assigning mentors based on each individual’s profile. Where possible, they will try to select a mentor who operates in a different line of business from the mentee. This is intended to eliminate potential conflicts of interest or to avoid the temptation of involving technical aspects of the trade.
05. Beginning of the mentoring relationship (dyad)
Your mentee will call you and set up an initial meeting. If you have the right “chemistry,” the dyad will be formally activated.! Otherwise, you can discuss the issue with the person in charge of your mentoring cell to find a solution. As a rule, meetings last for one hour and take place once a month. Initially, however, meetings can be more frequent in order to build trust.
After the dyad
Mentoring relationships usually last one to two years. However, by mutual agreement with your mentee, you may shorten or extend this period depending on your needs and availability.
Development and other implications
As a mentor, you will need to participate in development workshops, which usually last three hours.
You can also get involved in other ways. For example, becoming a chief mentor, training other mentors, giving lectures or testimonials at events, etc.