Informational Interview / Coffee Chat

try to be honest with the way you connect with others, have a normal conversation. First few minutes is the most important one, give a good first impression, good vibe.

When meeting people, be clear with intentions. “Sure I’d be happy to have a call but let us first figure out what topic we want to talk about before jumping into a call” - Behrad Toghi

How to End a Talk Politely

“I need to run”. “i’m really busy today”

Add bullet points, do not purely give way to Serendipity. You tend to misshit when you do that.

It’s always a Balance between Echo Chamber

Questions (if you are directly looking for a job…)

I think the questions below are better (from PD19).

• What are you working on (if he/she can share) at X?
• What do you find the most interesting aspect of your job is / what is your favorite part of your job?
• Do you enjoy working at X?
• From your experience, how is the company culture internally?
• What does it take to become a successful engineer at X?
• How did you end up working at X? Was this a dream company?

More spicy, this is what you want to really know…

• What does X company look for in a hire?
  • What characteristics/skills make for a good candidate? (this is what they are looking for on resume
• What advice would you share to help someone like me prepare?
  • How can I work on myself to get to a similar position to where you are today?
  • (Talk about my situation) what can I do to make myself a great hire?
• (iffy) Who else should I be talking to?

What I really want to ask:

• What are your goals in life?
• Why are you living?
• What is your passion? What makes you want to wake up in the morning
• What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned in?

From PD19

• (RESEARCH) Can you tell me about the path that led you to your current role?
• What do you find most rewarding about your career?
• (RESEARCH) What training and education did you need?
• What non-technical skills contributed to your success?
• Please describe a typical workday.
• If you were starting over in your career, what would you have done differently?
• What skills are required for your job? What ones do you use every day?
• What changes do you see occurring in your industry?
• What advice would you give someone starting their career like me?
• What do you think I could be doing now that would help me when I graduate?
• What are the most challenging and least exciting aspects of a job in this area?
• Please describe the type of person who does the best in your job.
• What is it like to work for this company?
• Do you have a business card that I could have? Or can I add you on LinkedIn?