How-to Prepare For Virtual Coffee Chats
A coffee chat can expose you to new opportunities, so be open to collaborating on new projects and expand your personal network.
Macy So
Last Update il y a 3 ans
What is a Skilbi virtual coffee chat?
Coffee chats are usually in-person meetings you set up with someone you want to add to your network. A virtual coffee chat is the same thing, except you’re meeting people over a video app or software like Zoom, Skype, or even Google Hangouts. In either case, coffee chats are an effective way to make networking more personal.
Be mindful of these things when chatting online
Find a quiet place - You don’t want to put yourself in a situation where the person on the other end of the line is struggling to hear you. Having to repeat yourself because of background noise can be distracting and come across as unprofessional. For that reason, it’s a good idea to also close all the windows in the room you’re sitting in for the duration of the conversation.
Do a test run - As advanced as our video technology has become, you should always do a test run. You want to make sure links are working, your microphone is on and at the right volume, and you’re not sitting too close to the screen.
Pay attention to the details - Is your lighting right? What’s in the background as you’re having this conversation? If you have roommates, did you let them know not to disturb you during the time you’ll be on the call? These are all questions you need to ask yourself before starting the chat.
1. Research who you’re talking to and have questions ready
Very few things stand out more in a coffee chat then when you show you’ve taken the time to learn about the other person. Look at their Skilbi profile, or even better, look them up on their Linkedn. The more detailed you can get, the better. It’s a good idea not to limit yourself to researching what this person has done in their career, but find out something personal. It’s a way to build the trust and genuine connection we mentioned earlier.
Again, this person has given up their time to speak with you. Sending a thank-you note acknowledges that you respect that time and are appreciative of them sharing their knowledge. Keep it simple but be thoughtful and genuine. Having a coffee chat is only one element of networking - there’s a lot of pre-and post-work that all networking pros do. Prepped can help:
Additional Resources
Create your elevator pitch exercise: can be used to help you start networking or if you need a refresh on how to introduce yourself at events
Coffee Chat Note Taking Tips: when being on the call with your mentor. It’s important to take notes during the meeting so you can look back on the information/details that you and your mentor discussed during your coffee chat.