To feel a bit wrong footed?

[Realmsbridgetjones]

A work colleague/friend who is my level is going for promotion shortly. I’ll shortly be doing the same although probably a little after. We talk a lot about work and they have have me through things, I have equally done the same for them. Now they’ve asked me for feedback documenting how I’ve come to them as a mentor etc over the past few months. I feel a bit weird about this as it firmly puts me in the junior role and we were discussing as friends

Have helped me through things

Nup. I wouldn't big them up as if they were your mentor.

I'd give some honest feedback, like examples of how you've worked together or shared ideas for projects. If your colleague doesn't like the feedback, they don't have to use it.

If you're going to be looking for promotion yourself soon, why give the impression of someone who needs lots of help when clearly you don't?

You're at the same level. She may be slightly more ahead if she's ready for a promotion but you're still the same level. If you write something calling her your mentor then you're telling your employee that you're not as good as her and needed to go to someone the same level as you for help. I wouldn't.

But, you say she got you through things. We're these some related problems which you needed help with and she helped you? You'd need to be honest if asked, but you really don't want to advertise it.

Agree with all above

They have asked me for help (technical help) many times - I feel like this has soured our friendship. I said that I would do it if they gave me feedback on similar lines but I don’t want to now. How can I best express that?

I would say
"I'm sorry but I don't think it'd be right for me to give you the feedback. We've talked a lot at work & are friends so inset boss name here might think we're giving each other a leg up with no substance"

Or something along those lines

Thanks - yeah the more I think about it the cheekier it is!!!! I have helped them so much technically as they actually joined my department two years after I did! So if anything I have helped onboard them. Cheeky cow

I would say that the only thing you will say is that you have done peer to peer teamwork to solve some issues and it has gone in both directions.

But mentor? fuck that.

oh and having seen your update, when you go for your promotion be very sure to mention how you onboarded other team members :)