ADPList

What it is

ADPList started as a design community and now covers engineering, product, data, marketing and more. Its home page (September 2026) lists more than 36,000 mentors, 160+ countries and 400,000+ members, and shows a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot.

You answer a few questions about your career and what you want help with, ADPList suggests mentors, and you book a one-to-one online session in a mentor's available time. Session length and availability depend on the mentor. The platform also offers an AI interview coach and a free resume tool.

Is it still free?

ADPList was known for entirely free mentorship. The current home page says getting started "includes one free session", and its FAQ answers "Is a session included?" with "Yes. You can start with one free session." It does not describe charges on the home page, so check what applies to further sessions when you sign up.

Why volunteer mentorship works better than it sounds

Mentors are there because they want to be, which tends to select for people who enjoy helping. Sessions are short and specific, and because you can meet several mentors you can keep going back to the one who was genuinely useful. One reviewer quoted on the site mentions that sessions can be recorded with a transcript, summary and action points.

How to get value from a session

• Be specific. "Can we talk about careers?" produces a vague conversation. "I have two offers, one at a local software house and one remote startup; which should I take and why?" produces a useful one.
• Send context in advance: your resume, portfolio, or a short note on the decision you face.
• Pick mentors by fit, not by company logo. Someone two to five years ahead of you in your target role often gives the most practical advice.
• Filter by time zone and language so the session is at a sensible hour; mentors are spread across many countries.
• Respect their time: arrive on time, take notes, and send a short thank-you with what you will do next.

Where it falls short

Quality varies from mentor to mentor, popular mentors are booked up quickly, and a single short session is not a substitute for an ongoing mentoring relationship. For deep technical interview preparation, dedicated mock interview platforms go further.

Common questions

Is it useful for software engineers? Yes. Although it began in design, there are many engineering mentors, including engineering managers and senior engineers at large companies.

Can students join? Yes. Many mentees are students or recent graduates.

Best for: anyone who has never had a mentor, students, and career changers looking for an outside perspective.