Bring Confidence to Coffee Chats | Cara Steves Pr Portf

Bring Confidence to Your Coffee Chats

By: Cara Steves

April 7, 2024

Let me guess, you logged onto LinkedIn for the first time in months and realized that everyone magically got to 500+ connections (seemingly overnight). Or, perhaps you overhear that the frat boy who sits in the back of your class just scored an internship (at his dad’s company) (for the second summer in a row). Wait, I got it. You just started your first internship and are unsure of how to make connections with the professionals you are working with.

Whatever the case may be, there’s no denying that networking often seems like a language that only few are well-versed and practiced in, but the grand majority of us without exposure to the topic are left to start at square one.

Well, square one is as good a place as any to start. Networking isn’t as daunting as it seems, but it does require some effort. Luckily, I have picked up a few tips for making meaningful connections and ensuring you are leading with the most confident version of yourself.

Who Do I Connect With?

The best place to start with networking is deciding who you would like to connect with. The one common thread between all of the people you are connecting with should be that you have a genuine interest in getting to know the individual. If you are looking to network within your company, a great place to start is with an individual who holds a position that interests you, or someone with a career trajectory that is interesting to you. From there, ask in-person, or send a quick email asking for fifteen minutes of their time to chat. Fifteen minutes is the perfect buffer and allows for a higher likelihood that the individual will have time to meet.

If you are looking to make connections externally (outside of the place you work or the school you go to), LinkedIn is a great place to do so. Let’s take Sephora for example. On LinkedIn, if you search “Sephora” and click “People,” you can search any keyword such as your university to find an alumni that currently works there, or your hometown. From there, you can search for people you may have something in common with. Then, you will send the person a quick message introducing yourself and asking them to meet!

The Art of the Coffee Chat

Whether you are meeting someone in-person for coffee, or a virtual conversation, it is important to be prepared and remember the basics of conversation.

First, body language and listening cues should never be underestimated. Maintain strong eye contact, nod your head, and remain present in the conversation. Body language is key to signaling we are interested in another person and what they have to say, and being aware of your body language can be crucial in helping you feel grounded if you feel nervous or intimidated to meet a new person. You should also put away all distractions, so make sure your phone is switched off and your Outlook notifications are silenced.

When you sit down with the individual, or as soon as they join the Zoom room, make sure to establish a quick rapport before thanking them for taking the time to meet with you. Pay them a quick compliment, chat about sports, do whatever you have to do to establish you are a master of easy, simple, small talk.

Then, try and integrate your questions into a conversational format rather than grilling the person. Tell them you’d love to hear more about their career progression, or say that you are super curious about what they currently do. Though maintaining professionalism is very important, it also doesn’t hurt to be conversational, friendly, and lighthearted. You’re not a robot, after all.

From here, the conversation should flow naturally. Let the other person do the majority of the talking, but don’t be afraid to share your own interests and why you were interested in connecting with the individual in the first place. Remember that many professionals enjoy meeting newbies or students (and they probably enjoy talking about themselves too, I know I do).

At the end of your chat, make sure to thank them again for their time. Then, the next morning, send a quick thank you message sharing that you appreciated their insights.

Here’s a template for if you want to keep it concise.

Or, if you're feeling a little wordier, below is another great option.

Happy networking!