The Big Ask: Scoring A Coffee Chat To Network
Networking is everything when it comes to scoring a position with your dream company.
The right person can help you get your foot in the door for an interview or at the very least provide you with critical feedback on how you stack up against others in your industry.
But how can you ask to grab a networking call?
And, once you set a date, how do you run that call so you can reap all of the rewards?
Let’s dive in!
The benefits of a coffee chat with an expert
A coffee chat is my fancy name for a networking call. It usually happens on Zoom, on a regular phone call, or even at a coffee shop with an expert in the field or industry you are trying to get into.
And there are some major benefits, like:
Scoring job leads that are not yet advertised.
Guidance on what you should include in your resume, portfolio, or even what to say during the interview process.
Helping you navigate around the mistakes others have made (so you don’t make yourself), especially if it’s more of a mentor relationship.
Gain clarity around how employable you are or if there are any skills or qualities that need some work before you can be a serious competitor in the field.
How to craft your message
The email or message itself should be carefully crafted and compelling enough that the person on the other end wants to actually help you. Don’t be just another fish in a sea of emails because you’re too vague or basic in your message. Be creative and stand out!
Do not use the subject line, “Can I pick your brain?” Everyone uses it and it’s the perfect way to get your message sent to the trash folder.
Use something that will resonate with the expert. It could be something like:
Your episode on the XYZ podcast really opened my eyes!
Referred by XYZ.
Fellow XYZ Alum Needs Your Advice!
I loved your blog post on XYZ.
We met at a networking event/webinar conference last month.
Your recently published book was eye-opening.
I’m impressed by your career journey. Hoping you can help me!
Do your research and see if you have anything in common with them.
In your email, be sure to mention the name of the person who provided you with their contact information (if you have their permission, of course!) Then tell them a little bit about yourself and your story.
Now is not the time to share your life story but you will want to share some details about your work experience, any training you’ve had, and relevant background information so they know where you stand and can help guide you on the next steps.
Remember, if this feels like a cold, robot-written, generic email or message, you’re not ready to send it!
THE BIG ASK!
You now have a perfectly crafted message to send. But wait! You can’t get help if you don’t ask for it.
This person has information that will be helpful to you. Be upfront and tell them what you need.
For example, you can say something like, “I’m looking for advice on how to pivot from being in a big corporate company role to being an entrepreneur. XYZ mentioned that you had a similar transition and could share some tips.”
Then follow up with a specific meeting request.
Do not ask them for an hour of their time. Don’t set yourself up for a big, fat NO.
A 20-minute meeting is much more actionable. Plus, the meeting will probably last longer once you actually start it. At this point in the game, you are just looking to secure some time on their calendar. For example, “I’d love to set up a quick 20-minute chat to get your thoughts and suggestions. I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me!”
Now it’s time to follow up.
This is probably one of the most important aspects of a meeting request. Let them know you will be following up within the next few days to check back and arrange a time that works best for them.
Don’t be annoying, but be persistent enough so they know you mean business. The key is to follow up around one week after your initial ask to allow them to catch up with their schedule. You cannot just send an email and pray someone will get back to you. Put in the work to make SURE they will.
D-Day: The Meeting
You’ve got them on the phone, on Zoom, or were able to meet them in person! Now what?
Tell them about yourself. Be your own hype person and give them some background. Explain the type of position you are looking for or what your dream company looks like.
Have specific questions ready. Ask what skills are valued in your industry, especially if you are doing a career shift.
Ask for names. By the end of the meeting, you want to be sure you have someone solid to follow up with. Ask for the names or companies you can hit up to get your foot in the door. And always ask permission from your expert if you can use their name to get connected.
Always close a meeting by asking if there is anything you can do for them!
After it’s all over, you’ll want to express your gratitude to them for taking the time to meet with you.
Send them a thank you note, a small gift, or even just a LinkedIn message or email for their time. This truly helps you to leave a lasting impression and trust me, people love getting Thank You notes these days… and believe it or not, many people do this after a meeting!
Scoring a coffee chat to network with an expert is exactly what you need to get your foot in the door at your dream job or company. Or, it can just give you the clarity you need to move forward in your career.
Looking to score some time with me? Fill out this form to connect and set up your free 15-minute session with yours truly.
Do you want to learn how to fearlessly network and land your dream job? You need to listen to the Pivot with Purpose podcast with my guest Kristy Hurt, the founder of the Co-Lab! We sat down to discuss the importance of building meaningful relationships and creating visibility through social networking. Listen to the episode now!
