How can you prepare for a coffee chat?
I got a coffee chat from a bank that I had been struggling hard to get attention from. I would like to prepare for it a little bit. Is there anything I can do? thanks for the advice.
Preparing for a coffee chat is crucial, especially when it's with a bank you've been working hard to connect with. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s how you can prepare effectively:
1. Research the Professional
2. Understand the Bank
3. Prepare Thoughtful Questions
4. Practice Your Pitch
5. Treat It Like a First-Round Interview
6. Be Genuine and Engaged
7. Plan Logistics
8. Follow Up
By preparing thoroughly, you’ll not only make a strong impression but also maximize the value of the coffee chat. Good luck!
Sources: Good questions to Ask in Coffee Chats for Investment Banking, On Campus Recruitment and Networking: A guide, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/consulting/any-advice-on-how-not-to-bomb-a-coffee-chat-amid-covid-19?customgpt=1, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/sa-interview-prep-techniques?customgpt=1
I think I speak for everyone who saw this post and chose not to comment: if you can’t answer this question on your own whatsoever then you’re in over your head
I think I speak for everyone who saw this comment and chose not to reply: you're an asshole.
I’m sorry dude, I’m not trying to sugarcoat or be nice in hopes that it might serve as the rude awakening you need. If I met a sophomore at this stage of recruiting, and they asked me this question, I would candidly tell them the same exact thing. Coffee chats are step 1 - the most basic step - in a long process. Either you really are brand new to everything or you’re just lazy / incompetent. Either way, you’re screwed unless you pick it up
Brazilian wax
400 questions
Stay up all night on stimulants studying for the conversation. You don't want to forget the website bio you memorized so don't sleep, bender through to the chat. Should put you in a good headspace to make the right impression.
Don't know why everybody in this comment section is being a dick. Maybe the turkey they ate was dry. Anyways
When you reach out for a networking email, you should always include at least one thing that you have in common with the person (Usually this will be the fact that you two went to the same school or you know the same person).
When you hop on the call or meet them in person, always start with small talk, unrelated to the actual job. Coffee chats are around 30- 45 minutes in length, so you ll have enough time to get to your industry specific questions and the sneakily ask-but-don't-ask for a referall. This small talk part is when you bring up the connection. You ask them how you feel about your common alma mater, maybe their opinion on the football team if that's a big part of the school, small talk shit like that.
Once you get past that, it's important to not ask really specific shit about the job that just comes off as a hardo. If there's one thing you shouldn't be in person, it's being a hardo. You can ask them about their journey to their current role, how they found it and why they stuck with it, maybe relate it to why you want to do the job as well. Get them talking about themselves and why and how they got their role.
Wrapping up, you should subtly drop the fact that their company has internhip positions open. People have mixed feelings about how direct you want to be when asking for help. Since everybody knows the end goal of a coffee chat(Get a referall or connections), some say just ask directly for a referall, others say you shouldn't because it's automatically assumed if the banker likes you, they'll write one up. My belief is that you should ask how the best way to approach the application should be: contact hiring manager of the role, get an employee to push it, etc etc.
Always thank them for their time, ask if there's anybody else that you should talk to, and again thank them for their help and the coffee.
Good luck and happy holidays.
thank you for your advice
Get off his dih man
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