Coffee Chat Survival Guide
Hello friends,
Some coffee chats with professionals are awkward, some are great, and most make you nervous. Either way, good for you for going. I always remind myself that feeling uncomfortable is a very good sign that you’re taking a step forward. See my best practice tips for coffee chats below.
Focus on Them
Career
What caused you to switch industries from [investment banking] to [private equity]?
What has allowed you to personally succeed in this role compared to your colleagues?
This job requires a lot of stamina and resilience to keep pushing forward – what has kept you motivated?
What has kept you at [x] organization all these [x] years?
Are there any career decisions you are proud of or wish you had done differently?
Personal
What is the best piece of career advice you’ve received?
What is your favourite piece of advice that you remind yourself frequently of? Words you live by?
Who has been the most influential in your life? (i.e. role model, family member, friend, etc.)
Focus on You
What advice would you give to someone starting out?
If you were in my shoes, where would you be aiming for over the next few years?
What advice can you give me for this [summer internship / interview / etc.]?
DO’S
Look polished, presentable, energetic, warm, and friendly.
Do your research! The very least you can do is take a few notes on their LinkedIn profile.
Let them suggest a place most convenient for them.
Use your judgement for their position / schedule – provide them with a few windows for certain days or weeks.
Always follow up with a warm thank you!
Of course, you’ll only land these coffee chats if you reach out with something that stands out of their inbox of 1000+ unopened emails. Luckily, having a few key works such as “intern”, “student”, “interested in your experience” will almost always catch their eye. You’ll be surprised with how often you get replies from people you would have never expected. See below for an idea of a cold email.
Sample Email - LinkedIn Reach Out
Hi [name],
My name is Katya and I’m an [investment banking summer intern at BMO Capital Markets in the M&A group]. I came upon your LinkedIn profile and became very interested in your experience, especially your transition from [consulting] to [investment banking] – not to mention [X] accomplishment. If you have a moment in the next few weeks, I would love to learn more about your career experience.
Is there a time between [X:XX AM/PM] and [X:XX AM/PM] on a [Wednesday] or [Friday] that works best for you?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Katya
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As mentioned previously, always remember to follow up with a thank you! It’s important to show them appreciation even after meeting them – the little things go a long way.
Sample Thank You Follow-Up
Hi [name],
Thank you for taking the time to go for a coffee today – I greatly appreciated learning more about your career experience. I liked what you said about [interesting note here]. Thank you for your [X] advice.
Would love to stay in touch with you. Enjoy your [upcoming event you talked about].
Best regards,
Katya
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Et voila. I would love to hear any other questions you ask and go-to’s for your coffee chats. Good luck!
Katya