Frequently Asked Questions
HOW DO I APPLY? Once per year, the application period will be opened and announced through various enterprise communication channels. Announcements will include a link to a survey for mentors and mentees to apply.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE? All colleagues, role permitting, who can participate during normal working hours and have their manager’s approval. Colleagues must not disrupt their work and business priorities.
WILL ALL APPLICANTS RECEIVE A MENTOR OR MENTEE? Every attempt is made to match all applicants; however, there are situations in which an appropriate match is not available. In this case, applicants are notified and encouraged to apply during the next application period.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM A MENTOR? Mentors will meet regularly with their mentees, cadence and frequency determined between the two parties, to discuss a variety of topics tailored to the mentee’s career development goals. Mentors will serve as business / career advisors and coaches for the mentee.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A MENTOR? The mentor's role is to help the mentee establish and refine individual development goals and encourage professional growth, goal setting, and career planning. The mentor may also guide, suggest, teach, challenge, and coach using their experience, expertise, and knowledge to positively influence the mentee's career development.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A MENTEE? The role of mentee is to work collaboratively with the mentor to help advance leadership and/or career goals. The mentee is responsible for initiating all meetings and preparing agendas with assistance from the mentor, as needed. The mentee must have good listening and communication skills, be willing to receive direction from the mentor for future career and goal planning and take advantage of the opportunities presented.
ISN’T MY MANAGER A MENTOR? Your manager is a coach and mentor. However, managers are primarily responsible for managing the day-to-day activities for your department, evaluating your performance, and ensuring the team achieves its business goals. The mentor assigned through this program is not involved in any of those activities. They are simply a personal career advisor and professional development resource.
HOW DO MENTORS BENEFIT FROM A MENTORING CONNECTION? Mentors can share their knowledge and experiences with others to help influence mentees through their guidance and encouragement. Previous mentors have expressed a sense of accomplishment when their mentees continue to grow professionally, they see enhancements in their own coaching and management styles, and have gained valuable insights into their mentees’ business areas and perspectives. Most have found the experience immensely rewarding and an enhancement to their communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM IF I AM A CONTRACTOR? Contractors are not eligible to participate in the program.
WHAT IF I’M ALREADY WORKING WITH A MENTOR OR MENTEE? If you’re already paired as a mentor or mentee, you should continue your mentor-mentee partnership as planned. However, you may also participate in the Enterprise Mentoring Program if you choose.
CAN REMOTE COLLEAGUES PARTICIPATE? Yes! Remote colleagues are highly encouraged to participate. Most mentoring relationships are conducted virtually.
CAN I REQUEST A SPECIFIC MENTOR? You are always welcome to identify and work with a mentor organically outside of the program, however, this program is designed to match colleagues who are unable to do so. Our match algorithm will recommend the best possible match, based on alignment with development objectives, career or business interests, and preferred affiliations with Colleague Resource Groups.
I’VE PATICIPATED BEFORE, MAY I APPLY AGAIN? Yes. You will need to submit another application during the next open enrollment period. Colleagues are not auto enrolled in the program.
IF I AM A NON-EXEMPT (HOURLY) COLLEAGUE, WILL I RECEIVE OVERTIME TO MEET WITH MY MENTOR OR COMPLETE ASSIGNMENTS AFTER NORMAL WORKING HOURS? No. Time needs be scheduled for meetings with a mentor, or on assignments, during normal work hours and approved by your manager. Any activities related to this program should be completed during scheduled shifts/hours unless you have formal approval for overtime from your manager in advance.
Relevant FAQs for Participants
HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE MEET? Every relationship will look differently as development goals and work priorities vary. Meeting cadence should be decided at the beginning of the relationship. On average, most colleagues meet once per month.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SCHEDULING MEETINGS: It is the role of the mentee to drive the mentoring relationship. Mentees should schedule all meetings and agendas.
IS THERE ANY FORMAL DOCUMENTATION TO COMPLETE? No, however, mentees should begin the mentoring engagement with development goals to share with their mentor. An Individual Development Plan (IDP) template can be found here.
HOW LONG SOULD THE RELATIONSHIP LAST? IS THERE A PROGRAM END DATE? We recommend 6 months to a year for most mentoring relationships; however, all engagements will be different based on the development goals of the mentee and the availability of both parties. If the mentor/mentee feels they would like to end the relationship earlier, simply communicate with your mentor/mentee. If you choose to continue working together after the year ends, that’s fine as well!
HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN TO END THE RELATIONSHIP? Examples of scenarios when it may be time to end the relationship:
- The mentee’s development objectives are reached
- Sudden changes in professional priorities or personal commitments
- Personality style differences that make it difficult to communicate and / or relate to the other person’s career interests
- The expected progress is not being met
DO I NEED TO NOTIFY THE PROGRAM MANAGER THAT I AM NO LONGER WORKING WITH MY MENTOR OR MENTEE OR THAT I’D LIKE TO END THE RELATIONSHIP? No, however, be sure to communicate openly with your mentor or mentee.
WHAT DOES MY MANAGER NEED TO KNOW? Your manager should know you’re participating in the program as approval is a prerequisite for applying. However, discussions between mentor and mentee should be confidential. It is up to the mentee to decide if they would like to share specific conversation details with their manager. Mentors should keep all conversations completely confidential and should not be contacting their mentee’s manager.
I’M NERVOUS CONTACTING MY MENTOR FOR THE FIRST TIME. While many mentees have felt this way at first, mentors voluntarily sign up for this program and are looking forward to working with you! Plan on your first meeting being an informal “get-to-know-you” session. Mentors receive the same information as mentees and they are waiting to be contacted.
I WAS MATCHED WITH A MENTOR OR MENTEE BUT CAN NO LONGER PARTICIPATE. Participants who become concerned about their workload or feel their expectations are not being met, may end the partnership at any time by simply communicating that with their mentor/mentee. However, mentees please be thoughtful with the decision as a mentor was assigned to you and therefore not available to other colleagues. And mentors, be mindful as well as we are unable to reassign your mentee. Ending a mentoring partnership does not prevent you from applying to the program in the future nor does it mean mentoring isn’t a valuable means of development. It simply means that was not the right time or person you should have been working with. You can refer to the guidelines for closing the relationship for more information.
I’M CONCERNED MY MENTOR OR MENTEE ISNT A GOOD MATCH FOR ME. CAN I BE ASSIGNED ANOTHER? While we make every effort to make the best possible match based on complementary application responses, it is possible to feel as if the relationship isn’t the right fit. We can not re-assign a new match as all applicants are assigned to other colleagues. We encourage you to give the relationship time to form as you were matched for a reason, however, if you still feel you’re not the best match for your mentor or mentee, it is ok to end the relationship, simply by communicating with the other person. You may apply again next year or seek to identify a mentor or mentee organically. You can refer to the guidelines for closing the relationship for more information.
MY MENTOR OR MENTEE NEVER CONTACTED ME OR RESPONDED WHEN I REACHED OUT. Please contact ColleagueDevelopment@CVSHealth.com. We cannot guarantee a new match, however, we can try to contact your mentor or mentee to confirm participation.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? Email ColleagueDevelopment@CVSHealth.com
