In full humility, does anyone else feel that the conversation of coffee chats is very general and unimportant, as you can find most of the info online?
The more chats I do, the more I feel like the conversation is useless and more of a screener for them to let you into their network. Should I be taking a different approach or is this the sad reality of it?
TL;DR Coffee Chat advice is unimportant and making a genuine connection/networking is the sole importance?
I feel like that is mostly true regarding obtaining actual knowledge. However, one meaningful connection can literally change everything for you. And knowing people goes a loooong way.
"TL;DR Coffee Chat advice is unimportant and making a genuine connection/networking is the sole importance."
Nailed it.
Re-think your approach. You need to: 1. demonstrate that you're a worthy candidate for whatever role you're interested in by showing enthusiasm (not too much) and character 2. tell a compelling story about how you got to where you are and why you were interested in meeting in the first place 3. make yourself stand out from all the other coffee meetings, talk about something memorable for the person across the table
At the end of the meeting you want the person across the table thinking, "this person is interesting. this is someone that I'd go out of my way to help."
ALWAYS set a good "follow up" at the end. NEVER leave the meeting with the only follow up being "thank you for your time". If that is your only follow up you have then you fucked up in one or more of the above rules.
Interesting input Strap, I was just wondering if you could dive deeper in your last part about "if my only follow up being 'thank you for your time' is the only follow up you have then you fucked up"
What else would you suggest to add beyond that?
This completely depends on how the chat went. If you did the meeting right you should have at least one semi-decent touch point.
One thing to consider is that you should only ask for a meeting when you have an "end in mind". If you ask to meet because you want "more information about their firm and work culture" you're wasting their time. Don't waste people's time. This is important.
Make sure you discuss followup BEFORE the coffee meeting is over:
Don't wait too long for them to get back to you. Reach out in a day or two by email/phone to hold them accountable to delivering an intro if they agreed to do so. Most people will respect the follow up and make good on their promises.
The most important thing of the entire meeting is getting them to like you and making them feel like you're a good person for them to help. Don't waste their time. Tell a compelling story. Be memorable. And ask if there's anything you can do for them.
I’ve been doing coffee chats to expand my network and create a connection in different companies. I already have a position lined up for the summer, so should I continue networking or just chill?
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