Gift Card After Coffee Chat?

Recently had a few successful coffee chats with analysts across various firms. I know the standard practice is to send a thank you email within 48 hours, but I want to stand out compared to other kids and really show my gratitude. Do you think it's fine to send them a gift card? If so, what's the appropriate amount (like $15)?

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Hope this is a joke lol. Do not do this. To anyone actually looking to standout, I have two recommendations:

  1. In your thank you email, be sure to call out something specific that you discussed and learned/found interesting (lets them know you were actually paying attention haha)
  2. Keep a tracker of everyone you talk to with notes about a few high level things you discussed. Then, if you see something in the news that aligns with a portco they cover, deal they worked on, etc. that you talked about, use that as an excuse to send them an email and say “hey saw this, curious to get your thoughts on how it impacts XYZ”. Obviously don’t email them every two weeks, but in my experience, less than 10-15% of kids ever follow up after a first phone call. The only ones I’ve ever referred for anything are ones that I’ve had more than just 1 conversation with and actually show a genuine interest/curiosity in the industry/what I do, not the people that just ask generic questions and then ask if we’re hiring.
 

Because our time is worth way more than $15. On the occasion I am billing for my time I charge $500/hour (and I’m at a very small firm). They’re talking to you because they genuinely want to help you out and they were in your shoes and know what it’s like. I would say if you get coffee or dinner it is ok to offer to pay, but I wouldn’t push it too hard if they push back. The absolute best way to stand out is by asking thoughtful questions and trying to build an actual relationship vs just something transactional. In my experience this will easily put you ahead of 90% of the crop.

 

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