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Expert Onboarding System

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1. Overview

The Expert Onboarding System connects domain experts to Fiftyknots through a streamlined onboarding and payment verification process. When you need specialized expertise for your venture, this system ensures qualified experts can quickly join the platform, set up secure payments, and start contributing. The system handles identity verification, payment setup through Stripe Connect, and skill profiling so you get verified experts ready to deliver quality work.

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2. Step-by-Step Guide

For Platform Administrators:
  1. Invite an Expert - Navigate to the Expert Payout Setup page (/expertpayoutsetup) and initiate the expert onboarding process for a new domain specialist.
  2. Expert Receives Onboarding Link - The system generates a secure onboarding link via POST /api/v1/expert-onboarding/onboarding-link and sends it to the expert’s email.
  3. Expert Creates Account - The expert completes their account creation through POST /api/v1/expert-onboarding/account, providing basic profile information and accepting platform terms.
  4. Payment Setup Begins - The expert is redirected to Stripe Connect onboarding to verify their identity and configure payout methods.
  5. Verification Processing - Track verification status through GET /api/v1/expert-onboarding/verification-status to monitor identity checks and payment account approval.
  6. Profile Building - Once verified, the expert completes their skill profile using the Expert Story Profiling Wizard (/expertstoryprofilingwizard), sharing past projects and expertise domains through POST /api/v1/expert-profiling/stories.
  7. Skill Confirmation - Review and confirm extracted skills via POST /api/v1/expert-profiling/skills/:skillId/confirm or add additional competencies manually through POST /api/v1/expert-profiling/skills.
  8. Activation - Activate the expert profile with POST /api/v1/expert-profiling/activate, making them available for project matching.
  9. Monitor Dashboard - Access the Expert Dashboard (/humansherpadashboard) to view active experts, their availability, and payment status through GET /api/v1/expert-onboarding/dashboard-link.
For Experts:
  1. Accept Invitation - Click the onboarding link received via email to begin the registration process.
  2. Complete Profile - Fill in your professional background, expertise areas, and contact information on the account creation page.
  3. Set Up Payments - Complete Stripe Connect verification by providing identity documents and bank account details for secure payouts.
  4. Share Your Story - Use the Expert Story Profiling Wizard to describe significant projects, outcomes achieved, and skills demonstrated.
  5. Confirm Skills - Review AI-extracted skills from your stories and add any additional competencies through the skill management interface.
  6. Activate Profile - Submit your completed profile for platform approval and begin receiving project offers.

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3. Common Questions

How long does expert verification take?
Payment verification through Stripe Connect typically completes within 1-3 business days for standard accounts. You can check real-time status through GET /api/v1/expert-onboarding/verification-status. Experts can begin profile building immediately while verification processes in the background. Can experts update their skills after activation?
Yes. Experts can add new skills anytime via POST /api/v1/expert-profiling/skills or remove outdated ones through DELETE /api/v1/expert-profiling/skills/:skillId. Skill updates help improve project matching accuracy as expertise evolves. What payment methods can experts use?
Experts configure payment preferences directly in their Stripe Connect account. Supported options include direct bank transfer, debit card payouts, and international wire transfers depending on location. Access payment settings through GET /api/v1/expert-onboarding/dashboard-link. Can I see all experts available for my project?
Platform administrators can view expert metrics and availability through the Expert Metrics Dashboard (/admin/expertmetricsdashboard). This shows verified experts, their skill domains, current capacity, and performance ratings to help match the right expertise to your venture needs. What happens if an expert’s verification fails?
Failed verification triggers a notification with specific remediation steps. Use POST /api/v1/expert-onboarding/refresh-status to retry verification after the expert updates their information. The system provides clear guidance on required documents or corrections needed.

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4. Troubleshooting

Expert onboarding link expired
Generate a new onboarding link through POST /api/v1/expert-onboarding/onboarding-link. Links remain valid for 7 days by default. Ensure experts complete registration within this window or request a fresh link from the admin team. Stripe verification stuck in pending status
Check GET /api/v1/expert-onboarding/verification-status for detailed status information. Stripe may require additional documentation - common holds include identity verification, address confirmation, or business registration details. The expert should check their Stripe dashboard for specific requirements. Skills not extracting from stories
Ensure story descriptions include concrete project details, technologies used, and measurable outcomes. The AI extraction works best with structured narratives. If extraction fails, manually add skills via POST /api/v1/expert-profiling/skills and confirm them individually. Cannot access expert dashboard after onboarding
Verify the expert account completed all onboarding steps through GET /api/v1/expert-onboarding/account. Dashboard access requires both payment verification and profile activation. Use GET /api/v1/expert-onboarding/dashboard-link to generate a fresh dashboard access link if needed. Sherpa Profile Setup (/sherpaprofilesetup) - For experts who will serve as dedicated Sherpas guiding founders through their venture journey, this feature builds on the expert onboarding foundation by adding Sherpa-specific certifications, assessment capabilities, and coaching methodologies. Connect after expert activation to enable Sherpa privileges. Expert Dashboard (/humansherpadashboard) - Once onboarded, experts manage their active projects, view earnings, and track performance metrics here. This dashboard pulls data from GET /api/v1/expert-dashboard/summary and shows project allocations, pending offers, and payout schedules in one central hub. Job Board (/jobsboard) - Activated experts browse available projects through the job board, which matches their confirmed skills against venture needs. Experts can apply to projects via POST /api/v1/job-application/ and track application status through their dashboard, creating a closed loop from onboarding to active project work.