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How to Use a Job Platform's "Coffee Chat" Feature

Tap through each step to make the most of a coffee chat feature.

  1. Understand what a coffee chat is

    Many job platforms offer a "coffee chat" feature that lets you have a casual conversation with someone currently working at a company, or with a hiring manager, before you ever apply.

  2. Find someone you'd like to talk to

    Check the profile of someone working at a company or in a role you're interested in to see whether they're open to a coffee chat.

  3. Write a polite request message

    Send a request that briefly introduces yourself and states what you'd like to ask -- keep it short and specific.

  4. Have the conversation and ask real questions

    Once accepted, ask about the day-to-day work, team culture, and what the hiring process actually looks like.

  5. Why this matters

    It lets you learn about the actual work atmosphere and hiring process ahead of time -- information a job posting alone can't tell you -- which helps you decide whether to apply at all.

Worth preparing for before you send a request

Getting a sense of the real day-to-day work and hiring process before applying makes it much easier to decide whether a role is actually a good fit for you.

Prepare for common interview questions too

If you'd like to work what you learn in a coffee chat into your interview answers later, it's also worth preparing responses to commonly asked interview questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a coffee chat request always accepted?

No -- the other person decides for themselves whether to accept, so not every request goes through.

Can a coffee chat turn directly into a job offer?

Occasionally someone shows interest and points you toward next steps, but a coffee chat itself is not a formal part of the hiring process.