Coffee Chat

What is Coffee Chat?

A coffee chat is an informal interview with an industry professional to learn more about a certain position or career path. It is not like the usual networking events that you are used to. Instead, it is a casual conversation for you to get to know someone and learn from their experiences.

Why are coffee chats important? 

Coffee chats are crucial for breaking into an industry you have no experience in, learning more about a role you may be interested in, or asking for some advice from an experienced professional! They are a great way to build a connection with someone, as they involve both parties sharing information about themselves and their careers, allowing for great conversations. Coffee chats are a great opportunity to learn how to get your foot in the door at a company. 

Coffee Chat Tips:

• Prepare and do your research before the chat! It is essential to go into a coffee chat with personalized questions. 
• Arrive on time for the coffee chat.
• Pay attention to the person you are talking to - try not to look around too much. 
• Always send a thank you email and mention what you learned from the conversation.
• Regularly follow up with the person you talked to and maintain the connection!

Coffee chat questions:

While coffee chat questions should be tailored to the person you are talking to, here are a few to get you started!

1. What would be your top advice for someone wanting to break into your industry?
2. What made you decide to choose the role you are currently working in?
3. Are there any soft and hard skills I should build to enter into the field?
4. Are there any challenges that you face in your job that not many people know about?
5. What is the most fulfilling aspect of your job?