"I was terrified of networking because I thought it was a formal or bothersome process. My fear started to dissipate, however, when I realized that a coffee chat is just a conversation. Typically, the goal for this conversation is to learn more about the person you are speaking to professionally or their industry, but your goal can vary from chat to chat."
"Choosing a professional to reach out to doesn't have to be scary! Start with an alum or someone you know, like your distant relative or friend's parent, who has a cool job that you're interested in. Keep the message professional and polite. I have found that it works best to offer a time and date and provide other times that you are available in the original message."
Coffee chats are short, casual meetings, often over coffee or phone, used to learn about a professional or an industry and to develop networking and communication skills. Reach out to alumni or acquaintances and keep messages professional, polite, and specific, offering proposed dates and alternative availability while expressing gratitude. Frame the message as a request and state the topics to discuss, such as career journeys or advice. Have a current resume available because professionals may offer feedback or forward it to hiring managers. Prepare thoughtful questions before the meeting to demonstrate interest and make efficient use of the time.
Read at Her Campus
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