Coffee Chat Basics
What are the coffee chat basics I should know when I do my first coffee chat? How should I start, what should be said and what should be done afterwards?
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Bump. Also wondering if there are any basics I should know when I make my first friend? How should I start, what should be said and what should be done afterwards?
Before Coffee Chat. Business Card: Keep business cards in your jacket or pants pocket. ... During Coffee Chat. Arrival: Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early. ... After Coffee Chat. Thank-you Follow-up: Follow-up shortly after the meeting (1–2 days) with a thank-you email or a handwritten card.
No offense, but if you're a student having business cards is strange as fuck. Take theirs at the end and send them an email so they have your contact details too.
Definitely don't do this.
Also, probably don't do this unless you have god-tier charisma or humor. Considering you're here on WSO to learn tips and tricks for social interaction, you probably are not at the level to pull it off (no offense intended, I was in your exact same shoes once). Risk/reward on this move is not great. Just send an email.
think this is a Europe thing lol. Couple of my Euro friends all have their own little printed namecards (name, school, degree, contact)
Definitely don't shake hands when you meet, and remember to sit 6 feet apart from each other when you're talking
2 cents from a guy who's done a metric ton of these in the past year:
IF it's an office visit, full suit and treat it as an interview - don't wanna screw up ur golden ticket
if it's a "regular" coffee chat at the downstairs Starbucks etc, then I'd suggest the following:
attire: collared shirt (white or light blue) + suits pants or slacks at the very least + non sneakers e.g. loafers (although IMO people hardly notice).
arrival: 5-10 minutes early as mentioned above, you DO NOT want to be late in any circumstances, make sure you know ur way around as well, last thing u want is to be fumbling around for the cafe
preparation: come up with at least 5+ questions, WRITE THEM DOWN. It may sound stupid but trust me writing and memorizing talking points goes a long way in making the chat good. IMO the questions should start high-level then pivot towards "the ask" i.e. start with background questions -> move towards group/desk level questions then finally recruiting questions. Everyone has their own style so I won't go into detail but I'd advise against asking technicals since it may rub ppl off the wrong way, IMO a good coffe chat is a technical-free one (keep it high level and chilled out)
on the chat: smile a lot, facilitate conversation, dont act like an emotionless muppet but also don't be a clown
always ask for referrals!!! unless the guy has the power to get you hired i.e. MD/desk or group head level, then kinda redundant to ask I'd say
post-chat: thank you notes are imperative - takes 5 seconds but can go a long way
IMO only follow up when you've got something to say/ask, regularly following up e.g. every 3 mths or so, for the sake of doing so defeats the purpose I'd say
Hope this helps!
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