Coffee chat with a partner... any tips?
Related Posts
Processing time for cpa license in MA?
Additional Posts in Consulting
what’s the huge hype with Lululemon?
What’s an EVP role at Bain?
Is MBB hiring right now ?
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
don't spill anything
Or her
Be yourself. But not too much.
Be keenly aware of when it’s time to stop talking/meeting is over. That usually comes sooner for the Partner than for you
IBM1 her actually :)
It is another human being. Behave as such.
Be human and genuine. Don’t try sucking up and/or faking interest/enthusiasm. Also don’t try to brag about how accomplished you are.
Don’t pour whiskey into your coffee unless they do first
I don't think you should take notes when getting coffee with someone...
Look them up (LinkedIn etc) and find one thing that genuinely interests you or makes you curious, then ask about it. When in doubt, ask questions about how they have grown, learned or overcome challenges to both let them brag a little and illuminate how one ends up in partnerland
Have a purpose and don’t be too random. Know something about them.
Here is what I asked during my first year of consulting, it was a one on one fancy dinner with the partner:
1. Overall experience and brought up one project which he was very interested about. I kind of knew he would be since it has to do financial crime. I told him all about it and he said wow
2. I asked him about opening up another branch in a country where there is a huge potential in the govt sector. I showed him my research with data in one page.
3. I have 10 years of experience and asked him about his view on MBA
4. Talked about his personal life, where he lives and how he got where he is and told me one things he could do differently. He asked me about my family, parents, gf etc
That was 40 minutes.
Get to know them. Ask questions and curious w/o sucking up.
Career advice should be the main thing, IMO. Ask them what they see on the horizon and how to best position yourself on an upward trajectory
Order coffee or something simple.
Take notes, be engaged in the conversation. Think about the topics you want to talk about, career, non work related, etc and what you want to ask.
Don’t make it too structured or formal. Be yourself, but think it Vance about what you’d actually like to know
Be on time. Translated: Arrive early. Be authentic - share something he/she can relate based on what you know or have researched about them. Make the outcome clear from the start – are you looking for career advice , mentorship, sponsorship, or personal work life balance advice? This will set the tone of the discussion and help you achieve your objective. Most importantly, it will demonstrate that you respect your and their time.
Agree w D6. No note taking at coffee.
Be human. He or she is likely to respond better to genuine discussion.
^could you explain please?