MBA coffee chats are such a missed opportunity. Here are the biggest issues I see with student coffee chats and how to address them.
You’re too transactional: If you are doing coffee chats because that’s what people told you should do, but you don’t really want to do it, just know your lack of interest comes through loud and clear. Remember, the goal isn’t the coffee chat. The goal is to get to know someone, learn something, share a little about yourself, and build a relationship. Relationships take time and you shouldn’t expect that one coffee chat will magically turn into a job offer. But one coffee chat might turn into another, and another, and eventually, potentially, a referral. Optimize for relationships, not jobs.
You don’t show your work: I assume you did some research on the company and the person you’re chatting with. If you’re not using that information to inform your questions, you’re missing the point. Even better, use the research to help you develop a POV on the company or the industry: “I read a recent article in the WSJ that made me think about X differently. I previously thought Y, but now I’m wondering if I didn’t consider the impact of Z. Curious what you are seeing?”
You’re too rehearsed: I get that the whole experience is contrived and the person on the other end of the Zoom probably has 57 other things to do at the moment. So trotting out “What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned working at X?” isn’t going to cut it. There isn’t some perfect MBA archetype you have to act like. The best coffee chats involve two humans, talking to each other. If you shared the same college, mention the basketball games or everyone’s favorite restaurant. Be curious, be real, be human.
Coffee chats are a great tool, but not if you’re using them wrong. Optimize for relationships, show your work, and be human.
Alumni Coffee Chat Advice
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