Introduction
In the previous modules, you learned how to approach matching with an open mind, remembering that there's no such thing as a perfect match. Now it's time to put that into practice and find your match on Mentorloop.
By the end of this module, you'll be able to:
- Navigate your dashboard with confidence
- Explain and use the different matching styles on Mentorloop
- Progress through the Matching Milestone
How do I get started on Mentorloop?
The video below walks you through signing up for your program, taking a tour of your Mentorloop dashboard, and how matching works, including the self-matching tools.
Your program's matching style may vary
How you're matched depends on your particular program. Keep this in mind when watching the video below.
How can I be matched on Mentorloop?
Mentorloop supports three matching styles. Your Program Coordinator will have chosen the best fit for your cohort, if you're not sure which applies to you, reach out to them from your dashboard.
- Manual Match — your Program Coordinator assigns you a match directly.
- Self Match — you browse participant profiles and send a match request yourself.
- Smart Match — Mentorloop's algorithm suggests a great match based on your mentoring profile, which your Program Coordinator reviews before confirming.
Not sure which matching style your program uses?
Contact your Program Coordinator from your dashboard, you'll find them in the left sidebar underneath Active Loops.
What are Recommended Matches?
Recommended Matches are available when the Self Match feature is enabled in your program. If you're not sure where to start, this feature does the searching for you, Mentorloop suggests five potential matches based on the compatibility of your mentoring goals and expertise.
If you haven't yet entered into a mentoring relationship with anyone, your Recommended Matches will appear on your dashboard. Otherwise, you can find them in the left sidebar as shown in this video:
How does the matching algorithm work?
Mentorloop's Smart Match algorithm is built to find great matches for everyone, no one gets left behind. It's designed for equity: rather than just optimising for the best individual pairings, it works to ensure high-quality matches across the entire cohort.
The algorithm considers a range of criteria, like the skills, goals, and experience that appear on your mentoring profile, and benchmarks potential pairings against feedback gathered from mentoring relationships supported through Mentorloop over the years.
Before any match is confirmed, your Program Coordinator reviews the algorithm's suggestions. They bring additional context and insight that shapes the final outcome for your whole cohort.
The algorithm is regularly fine-tuned using feedback from different mentoring programs, which helps Mentorloop continue to improve match quality over time.
Where can I get help with matching?
Whether you're struggling to find a mentor or mentee, or want to understand why you've been matched with someone specific, your Program Coordinator is there to help.
You can reach them from the 1:1 loop you share with them, look for it in the left sidebar underneath Active Loops.
Conclusion
In this module, you've learned how Mentorloop takes your goals, skills, and profile information into account, alongside that of potential matches, to help you find a great mentor or mentee. Going in with this understanding means you can get more out of the experience from day one.
Reflection task
Log into Mentorloop and review your profile to make sure it includes everything needed to help find you a great match. Keep it up to date as you and your goals evolve.
In the next module, you'll learn what happens after you've been matched, and the key steps to getting your mentoring relationship off to a great start.