- How do you strike a balance between giving back and growing your career? What is a “coffee chat”? I asked for them to visit our website and register online. "Reach out to some of these people with a personal message and ask for information about the recruitment process (not a job just yet)," advises Sue Ellson, an independent LinkedIn specialist and career development practitioner. Send an email message or a text, or pick up the phone call, or use Facebook or Twitter direct messaging or a message via LinkedIn. There is never a good reason to talk down or disrespectfully to someone you requested to meet in the first place. What are the skills or character traits that are always found in those who excel? Make Your Ask Really Specific. Obviously, you’ll want to be less familiar if you’re connecting with people you’ve … Remember, do not reuse this coffee chat invite - you must write a different one for every person that you wish to speak to! - A big thank you to Kyle Tymoszewicz for allowing me to use the questions he asked me during a recent phone call as examples of great questions to ask! Connections form only when a person is genuine in intentions and interests. From my experience, there is less value in reaching out unless you truly want to hear the advice or experience of the person you are going to be meeting with. It is good to have a tool box full of general questions that can be tweaked to fit many conversations. I have attended networking sessions where I had the opportunity to see the questions that others asked and the tone of the responses they received. Rather than taking it personally, understand what is important to be shared and what isn’t.1. As summer recruiting continues, I am receiving a lot of emails for informational interviews and coffee chats. Ask yourself, “why do I want to meet with someone for coffee?” Maybe you are looking for a mentor or a new job. Make sure you know what that person has been up to and what his or her current work entails before you send that “Hey, what’s up?” email. See our. These information meetings can be called coffee chats or informational interviews. It is a sort of professional dating and should be treated with care and respect. Do you want to meet for coffee next week? Always ask yourself — what is the value I can add? More than likely, they have another 10 candidates who are going to ask the same questions (plus 10 hours of work when they get back to the office). Once you know your goals for the conversation, you can allocate the time you have so you can effectively and efficiently cover all of your areas of interest. However, it can oftentimes be difficult to know what the right questions to ask are. LinkedIn is a networking site, and over 93% of hiring managers use it. Soulless networking does not yield the results. As our world is getting increasingly network driven, meetings have become a crucial part of our professional lives. Even in cases you find their behavior not up to your expectation, maintain politeness and be thankful for their time. - How have you managed to have such success with your networking? It is also good to spend time crafting one or two questions that are specifically targeted to the meeting you are going to be having. - How can I best spend my time so that I am prepared to speak to my strengths/accomplishments in interviews? Second, remember that there are other people in that same field that you can talk to. Even professional connections need to be mutually beneficial. Although these questions do not apply to all types of calls and coffee chats, they are a great example of someone who had clearly thought out their goals. Try to keep … As for how to have a good coffee chat: a) ask good questions - not something you could read on a website or book b) be professional c) help them in some way. Feel grateful. I would tell them about any B School resource that could be helpful to them. If you don’t have specific names yet, turn to social media for help. Typically a successful cold email is one which gets you on a call or a coffee chat with the professional you are targeting. A meeting represents a golden opportunity but most of the people do not realize how to capitalize on it. 2. The context of this conversation was an individual seeking advice about recruitment and management consulting. To a certain extent, even the word ‘networking’ makes me cringe. Show them that you have done your homework and your questions are thoughtful. But I’m not a networking nazi. Get yourself close to the people who already are doing what you dream to do. Always. When Tony Robbins says that ‘proximity is power’, he is referring to the very power of networking. Less formal interviews and coffee meetings allow the candidate the opportunity to ask many questions about potential job openings, information about the company, and even career advice. Offer your support. Few of them told me later they appreciated it! As expected, this axiom is not true only for romantic relationships. I can't stress how important it is to offer value to your connections, especially in … "Once you have this information, you will hopefully be able to keep finding out more information and start networking until you receive a referral." Never ask for favors in first meeting! Should I Pay for the Coffee, Drinks, or Meal? Remember that this person is doing you a favor and does not owe you anything. if you need a reply, your question should be sort, specific and easy to answer. Don’t be boring: put yourself in the shoes of the consultant conducting the coffee chat. In university, I remember being told not to ask the "typical questions" as those would not differentiate an individual. People remember your disposition. Below are some examples of the best questions I have received: - What are commonalities you see throughout top performers at your firm? I advise young professionals and students on www.scholarstrategy.com. I have helped others connect for mutual benefits and I receive many networking requests on a daily basis. How to Contact a Recruiter on LinkedIn Refrain from asking any private questions and if you are considering whether a question is appropriate or not, lean on the safer side and do not ask anything that you are not 100% sure of. Shy by nature and uncertain of ‘what to say’, we indulge in superficial conversations that don’t get us anywhere. Now that we are clear on that, let’s talk business. Through structuring both time and thought before speaking with someone, you can ensure both of you will get the most out of the call or coffee chat. You may be surprised by how many people are open to the idea. I hate it when a stranger tries to connect because he needs something from me. Here’s how I’d ask a business development badass I’d want to meet for coffee. Sometimes though, an individual may have genuine interest, good structure management and insightful questions and still find that the conversation feels forced/doesn't go as planned. This will be the basis for everything from whom you should ask to how you should ask them. Networking: it seems to be a hot topic that’s always on the table no matter what field you work in. For inquisitive people that are always curious to learn more about what opportunities exist, informative calls and coffee chats are the perfect avenue for gaining insight. One unfavourable conversation with a microbiologist does not mean all conversations with microbiologists will be unfavourable. Use a “One-Two Punch” for Connecting OK, so you draft and send an invitation to connect with your prospective contacts. If handled correctly, calls and coffee chats can allow you to create connections with individuals who can help you reach your goals. Meetings, meetings, meetings. My expert tip: Simply end the message by saying you’d love to chat with them and ask when might work for them. What made you the best candidate for the positions you strived for? By using this site, you agree to this use. Ramit Sethi, CEO of GrowthLab, shares an email template that you can use to invite even the most intimidating stranger to meet. You could dedicate your virtual coffee break to talking, and another option is to use … Understandably, you want to reach out, but before you press that “Send” button, do your research. Done with right intentions, meetings can be something you actually enjoy! A coffee meeting, needless to say, has become the ultimate weapon of networking. Whether it's through Google or LinkedIn, know a little bit about the person you are about to have coffee with. How do I come out of my current job/university program with experiences/skills that provide value to employers? Avoid the “Can I Have a Job?” Line. 2. if you are sharing an update, do not expect a reply. A relationship is eventually a two way street and will flourish only if it is meaningful to both the parties. Sometimes employers decide to host more informal conversations to get to know you, learn about your background, and provide information about the organization. Do not expect a busy professional to reply to all your messages. There’s no reason to send a message to anyone without a clear call-to-action. Over the last few years, I have been both an advice giver and an advice seeker. Dropping a thank you note is a must. When in doubt, put yourself in the shoes of other person and ask if you would like to answer that to a stranger. The last tip to keep in mind is that practice makes perfect so the more calls and coffee chats you have, the less nervous you will feel when preparing and executing them! In my career mentoring and higher education consultations, I often impress the need for networking upon the applicants — who are fresh engineering graduates as well as working professionals. I go to a lot of coffee dates. During your virtual coffee, pick three to four questions for the conversation and give yourself a full hour to talk. Networking is a delicate dance and takes some time to come to a rhythm where both parties feel engaged. You know what you should never do in networking? Once you’ve sent it, don’t pester the person. Check their LinkedIn profile carefully before meeting them. Better establish a rapport with your boss. From my experience, there are three key commonalities among the best conversations: Individuals can reach out for two main reasons: because they want to or because they think they should. For undergrads and masters, the 3 rd year summer analyst position is extremely important in landing a full time position upon graduation. This could include company culture or job and internship opportunities. It can be a bit jarring for someone else to receive an email out of the blue, so the more personalized yo… Once you’ve agreed on the date and time, offer to create and send a calendar invite that the contact can easily accept and automatically add to their calendar. If you think creatively, there is a lot of value you can add to someone even if they are more well-to-do or accomplished than yourself. Quick Workout. I kept the people I was interested in working with posted about my updates without expecting any replies and maintained a cheerful demeanor whenever we connected. First, ask to meet in 2-4 weeks and provide a high-level overview of your availability. Learning about the types of positions and the company’s employees will give you an advantage in understanding how you can be a unique asset to their work. Many have had to learn their lessons the hard way. that's it Do a little research beforehand. There … When asking, “Should I message a recruiter on LinkedIn?” always answer “yes”. Nothing sucks more than asking them questions that you could have found the answer to by yourself. LinkedIn is a great resource for job seekers because it can be used to expand your network without actually attending a networking event. 1. It might happen that you do not agree with something they said. Title your invitation something like “Lauren LaRen and Elise Entzenberger: UX coffee chat.” A personal reflection: My year in review. ‘I am thinking of starting my own online workshop for ____ on __xyz platform___. You should have goals for what you want to get out of the conversation. The least they expect is not to waste their time. Remember that this person is doing you a favor and does not owe you anything. It is possible though, to turn the art of phone calls and coffee chats into more of a science. This is an obvious one, yet people still do it all the time: Do not … A topic that often comes up in career conversations is networking - interacting with others who can provide you with advice or connections that can help you reach your goals. In this blog, you will learn how to connect with recruiters on LinkedIn, message, and email them. Similarly, you should be very specific about what you want to talk to … Want a promotion? Want a job? If you are a junior, it does not mean you have nothing to offer. Reach your friend in … Let us end with a definite ‘Don’t’. The key to a successful coffee chat is preparation. During calls and coffee chats, I have had individuals ask me about the type of questions they should be asking. During calls and coffee chats, I have had individuals ask me about the type of questions they should be asking. General rule of thumb: Try to specify this beforehand in … Select Accept cookies to consent to this use or Manage preferences to make your cookie choices. However, how do you grow your network? Let us look at five ways of turning a networking meeting into a real connection. Let me know it. For the latter, it can often be difficult to sound genuinely interested in what the advice giver is saying. It is important to remember that one bad call or coffee chat will not make or break anyone's chances of pursuing almost anything. When I was at business school, recruiters posted coffee chat time slots and encouraged us to fill them. Yet, I chose this click-bait-ish title to convey the intent in terminology that people are already comfortable with. Read This Before You Ask Someone to Coffee Published on July 18, 2015 July 18, 2015 • 3,748 Likes • 412 Comments Since you are running multiple courses on Udemy, would you recommend that I start with it? Why (constantly) trying to get ahead can…. You can change your cookie choices and withdraw your consent in your settings at any time. Nowadays, most people seem to be wanting to grow their networks. I have turned coffee chats into connections into job offers. You should make note of whether the meeting will be 30 minutes or 1 hour in length and ensure you do not go over that time (unless of course, the advice giver welcomes it). I know a junior banker who has gone on over 100 coffee chats since December has started (which may speak more to him or his group than anything else). LinkedIn allows you to connect with total strangers and begin a dialogue that may lead to a great job opportunity. give something back. Since having a good conversation is highly dependent on both of the individuals, a not so great experience is likely to happen at some point in everyone's life, regardless of preparation. Next time you ask someone to get coffee, don’t let the soy latte be the best part of your meeting. When that happens, the two most important things to remember are: first, learn from what went wrong. Be specific. Step 2) LinkedIn Search (whom to ask?) Better to go through a reference. If nothing else buy them the coffee and send a thank you car d) have high energy, don't spend the time talking about yourself, and don't complain about anything. Although the advice giver may have a very interesting background or career, if what they can offer is not of real interest to you, it probably makes more sense to simply speak to someone else. Hey, I get it. Calls and coffee chats can sometimes go off on tangents, leading to an abundance of time spent on topics that were not what the advice seeker initially intended to get informed on. Say that. At the end, if you are consistently ‘taking’ from a relationship without giving anything back, the other person will eventually lose interest. The person providing advice can tell when the person receiving it is not fully invested in the conversation. As an advice seeker, you do not want to rely on the advice giver to structure a call or coffee chat that you have scheduled. “If you have 15 to 20 minutes this week, I’d love to connect for coffee. How do you ensure that you make the right impression? So, you’ve now crafted your targeted coffee chat invite with an introduction that focuses on the other person, a clear ask, and easy-to-understand logistics. People spend a crore in an international MBA so that they can network and make connections. I would go even beyond that — give more than you take. This is a busy person who has agreed to give you 20 minutes from their schedule. Asking for information or opinion might be fine but asking for a job referral right away is not. This is my experience from surviving covid-19, How these women are breaking new ceilings by…, Ten reasons why Tarun Mehta is able to build…. Research the person you’re meeting – look at their company website and go over their career path by visiting their LinkedIn profile, jot down some key questions you would like to ask, and bring a notepad and a pen to take notes. What has been your experience on Udemy vs Teachable?’. You mention their work, tell them how much you admire them, and ask if there’s a chance you can have a conversation at some point in the future. We and third parties such as our customers, partners, and service providers use cookies and similar technologies ("cookies") to provide and secure our Services, to understand and improve their performance, and to serve relevant ads (including job ads) on and off LinkedIn. Key elements of this email to keep in mind: context, a specific ask, recognition of their time/gratefulness, limited time commitment, convenience, signaling you’ll … Whether you haven't yet decided what career you want to pursue, whether you are looking for new volunteer opportunities, or whether you are looking for a career switch, getting the right advice can make a world of difference. You should already know their employment history. Networking meetings should be confined to professional matters and do not warrant broaching on any personal topics. Your time, and theirs, is valuable so spend it asking questions that you can’t answer with a Google search or by skimming their LinkedIn profile. I often sent out invites for interesting events to the entrepreneurs I was connecting with when I was pursuing my MBA at NYU Stern. Especially for Asians, networking has been a tricky topic. Send them a direct message asking if they’re open to having a coffee chat. Rather than wasting time on questions like ‘so where were you working before Google?’, ask them ‘How did you switch from an affiliate role at Groupon to product manager at Google?’. - What do you feel helped you most in your preparation for interviews? I have advised people how to network their way up in the career. And it all begins with that one meeting. Reach out to appropriate people via Facebook groups, Instagram, Twitter, etc. I invited them as speakers to the conferences I helped to organize. Pick one, look up their email address on LinkedIn, set up a Zoom meeting (which has up to forty minutes free on their free-mium plan) and send a calendar invite for a thirty-minute meeting directly to their email with the Zoom link included. I decided to try asking for a few things. If not, send her an email and ask for one. How do you create a connection with someone so that you become a memorable individual? As an intern, I was encouraged to ask for coffee chats with co-workers. If you are trying to get an internship in an industry without prior connections, use cold emails to set up calls and coffee chats with multiple industry … For more information, see our Cookie Policy. So you notice that an old acquaintance you have not been in touch with for years has your dream job. I mean a lot. A New Colleague. How to Ask to For a Coffee Meeting. It was the result of such efforts that I had landed a full-time job offer at the end of my first year itself in B School when there were many who did not get it even upon graduation. Asking specific advice is highly recommended. Whatever your reason is, write it down. But very few of us know how to use it wisely. This website uses cookies to improve service and provide tailored ads. Either way, Sean Blanda over at the 99u put together a great, concise sample that can serve as a model next time you need to ask someone for a meeting. Is there anything in particular you do to build connections? For example, when speaking to a consultant, you could have three main goals: to understand the diversity of project work at their firm, to gain insight on the culture of their firm and to see what career development (e.g., volunteer activities, non-profit consulting, externships) opportunities exist at their firm. Start with people you know well.