What is a Coffee Chat?

Posted by [email protected] on Jul. 23, 2023  /  Women in Supply Chain  /  Subscribe 0

What is a Coffee Chat?

• The Coffee Chat concept is a 30-minute, informal interview / discussion / mentorship that can be held in-person or online.

What drives a Coffee Chat?

• A person reaches out through direct contact such as E-Mailing or schedules time with someone from their established network.

How often should Coffee Chats occur?

• Coffee chats are not a one-time thing. Stay in contact with the person throughout time, be it months or even years.

What are the outcomes of a Coffee Chat?

• Impress the hiring manager by asking thoughtful questions.
• Learn more about a company’s culture.
• Expand your network and learn of other opportunities in their organization by asking to be introduced to one or more additional contacts, only if the conversation is going well.

What is the structure of a Coffee Chat?

• Introduce yourself and your purpose by covering who you are, what you’ve done in the past, what you’re doing today, and where you’re trying to go.
  • Need confidence introducing yourself? Find tips to nails your introductions here!
• Have 10-15 questions prepared but know you can schedule another Coffee Chat if you do not cover all in one sitting.

Types of Questions

1. Ask open-ended questions.
   1. “What do you find most enjoyable about your role?”
   2. “Walk me through your most rewarding career decision.”
   3. “Why did you pick this firm over its competitors?”
2. Don’t ask anything you can Google.
   1. Example: “What is your company’s mission and vision statement?”
   2. Instead: “How do you ensure that you’re personal and professional mission statements continue to intertwine?”
3. Ask questions unique to the person you’re chatting with to uncover gems of their career path.
   1. “How did you transfer from one Business Segment to another?”
   2. “What did the recruiting process look like for when you started at this company?”
4. Do not ask anything that is too intrusive or antagonistic.
   1. Example: “Why are you focusing on smaller firms?”
   2. Instead: “It looks like your firm has potential for growth.”

How to end a Coffee Chat?

• “I realize we are at our allotted time (or past) our allotted time, so if you need to get back, I totally understand.”

How to overcome nerves during a Coffee Chat?

• To get better at something, you simply must do it more! Over time, you relax and the flow remains scripted yet natural.

Resources: 

https://blog.transparentcareer.com/college-students/career-advice/dos-donts-coffee-chat/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG2VgwpzCoE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bABza-jo4VA

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