Hong Kong- Best spots for coffee chats?

significantly tougher given the culture just isn't there, not a lot of students do it as well, most just directly apply and pray. you have to be extremely persistent and really go out of your way to reach out to ppl on LI/email and get them on the phone/in person. asking for referrals is also not as straightforward as how WSO portrays it (again: culture).

although I will say that not all hope is lost - some senior folks (usually american uni grads) appreciate the initiative and will go out of their way to help you, either by pushing fwd your resume, connecting w/ a hiring manager, or introducing you to other senior folks.

source: been there, done it - fortunately ended up landing a trading SA at a BB thru networking

I have found professionals in HK far more willing to meet with job seekers than in the US. US is far more stratified and closed. HK is more socially open IMHO.

"Intern in S&T - FI" depends on the area really, but in general just show up earlier to get a seat if u can

IFC: either Fuel or Sbux - Fuel is esp packed on friday afternoons and v limited seating so either show up earlier or go Sbux. Pret also works I guess, but it's a bit far away from the office entrances. If all else fails can always suggest taking ur coffee to-go and go sit at the open-air spaces.

downtown central: the sbux at alexander house is/was my go-to spot, plenty of seats. Fuel at Chater House is also a good spot esp if ur meeting someone from JPM/P72. Fuel at Landmark also works but it's a bit remote

For slightly remote locations like Champion Tower (where Citi/BlackRock are) or Cheung Kong (GS/BAML) the underground floor sbux will do.

If ur meeting someone at GS most likely it'll be at the noc coffee shop inside their office so I wouldnt worry about that

also there is one spot I absolutely don't recommend - the Central MTR station sbux, no seating and very crowded and noisy at times

ICC: the go-to spot is usually Fuel which is right next to the office entrance but if packed then either sbux or pret

In short: the closest Fuel/Starbucks/Pret near the office will do

This.

Often people do this or senior types invite you to the office and you sit in a conference room with an nice view (hopefully).

Other ideas.

Landmark and IFC - I am a huge fan of Cafe Robuchon since they great seating and the business crowd which is doing the same thing and paying similar money doesn’t seem too (usually tai tais or tourists). Ok in IFC lots of business guys are at Robuchon. But not Landmark. At IFC it’s near the Four Seasons Hotel. There is also the casual Italian join CIAK which is across from the Pret in Landmark. That’s usually not too crowded either.

The Starbucks in Alexandra House is usually full and chock full of headhunters. The nearby Cova is nice (Pacific Place in Admiralty also has one) but that’s more fancy and sit down. Perhaps for a meeting rather than networking coffee.

Of course the above also has Fuel with IFC having better seating. If it’s a nice day (Ie not hot or raining) you could suggest IFC podium for free seating with a view.

I don’t know the ICC scene as well except there is a Fuel there too nearby where tourists go to get the rooftop view.

I also like LGB in LHT Tower off of Queens Road Central.

These are just some other ideas and hopefully helpful and may be more sited for business meetings. But often the cost of coffee can be pretty close so why not go better and more comfy? The post above sums it up better than I can.

Ps for you young ‘uns. You shouldn’t worry too much about price. If you are networking that means your counterpart has a job. 90 percent of the time they will pay!