Coffee chat: a 20-minute conversation that builds your network.
A coffee chat is an informal conversation, in person or on video, with someone in a field or company you are interested in. It is lighter than an informational interview and often used by students and early-career job seekers.
To ask for a coffee chat, message someone with a specific reason you chose them and ask for 15 to 20 minutes, in person near their office or by video. Bring three or four genuine questions about their work and advice. Offer to pay if you meet in person, keep to time, and follow up with a thank-you and, later, an update.
3 copy-ready templates
Illustrative: names, companies, dates and numbers in these templates and examples are fictional. Replace every bracket with your own true details before you send anything.
LinkedIn request
When to use: Someone you share a school, employer or community with.
Hi [Name], I'm a [your role or student year] interested in [field]. I saw you moved from [A] to [B] at [Company] and would love to hear how you did it. Would you be open to a 20-minute virtual coffee chat in the next few weeks? [Your name]
Email request
When to use: When you have their email through a mutual contact or directory.
Subject: Coffee chat request: [field] advice Hi [Name], [Mutual contact or how you found them]. I'm exploring [field] and would really value your perspective on [specific topic]. Would you have 20 minutes for a coffee, in person near your office or by video? I'm happy to work around your schedule. Thanks, [Your name]
Questions to bring
When to use: Pick three or four.
What surprised you most when you started in this role? What skills do you think matter more than people expect? What would you do differently if you were starting again? What does a strong first year look like on your team? Who else do you think I should talk to?
Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Every template on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Coffee chat etiquette
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Scheduling | Offer two or three times; let them choose. |
| In person | Go near their office; offer to pay. |
| Video | Send a link and confirm the time zone. |
| During | Keep to 20 minutes unless they choose to stay. |
| After | Thank-you within 24 hours, an update within a few months. |
The same message, rewritten
Illustrative example with fictional details.
| Version | Example |
|---|---|
| Weak | Hi, can I pick your brain sometime? |
| Strong | I saw you moved from campus recruiting into people analytics at a fintech company. Would you be open to a 20-minute virtual coffee chat about how you made the switch? |
Why it matters: 'Pick your brain' sounds open-ended and one-sided. The strong version gives a time limit and a specific topic, which makes saying yes easy.
Mistakes to avoid
- Treating it like a job interview and pitching yourself throughout.
- Asking for a referral in the first chat.
- Showing up without questions.
- Letting it run long.
Write yours faster
Questions people ask
What is a coffee chat in a job search?
Is a coffee chat the same as an informational interview?
Should I bring a resume to a coffee chat?
What should I wear to a coffee chat?
How this page is built
Written by Maid Dizdarevic, a career coach and 8x LinkedIn Top Voice. The templates and timing guides are practical advice, labelled as advice. We do not publish response rates or success rates, and every example uses fictional details.
- How a specific employer or recruiter will respond: practices vary by company, industry and person.
- Legal advice: for contracts, severance releases or disputes, talk to an employment attorney or the relevant agency.
- Outcomes: no message, template or program can promise an interview or a job.
- TryHired editorial guidance by Maid Dizdarevic, career coach, Nov 2, 2026.