I get requests for coffee chats ALL the time. at least 5+ a week. I don’t have time to talk to everyone … I want to be able to help people find their dream job, but I also generally have the same conversation over and over. If it wasn’t super rude, I’d just hold office hours and invite 5 people at a time. As it is, I get overwhelmed and just don’t end up responding half the time. (I know, also rude.) Are there any non-rude options that won’t require me to have so many informational interviews?

likefunny
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

Honestly office hours doesn’t sound like a bad idea to me. I wouldn’t mind that personally

like

could you say like hey im talking to another person about something really similar let me add you to our coffee chat?

You’re allowed to set limits, especially if it’s a one-way street (not really beneficial to you). Just tell them you only have time for one networking chat per week, and first available is the week of November 7.

like
Recent IconRecent

I do small group chats every second week at a fixed time. Anyone who requests a coffee chat is told that I’d love to help, and have dedicated this time for it so that it can be protected in my busy schedule.

Feedback I’ve gotten after doing this over a year has been very positive - it’s allowed people to connect with peers and develop relationships in that way as well. One woman specifically mentioned she was surprised and happy to see me being transparent about not doing everything, but finding a way to do what is important to me in a way that works. For many junior women, setting boundaries and saying no is a difficult skill to learn.

likesmart

I love this. Thank you. I don’t want to be a jerk, but even just this last week, I got 9 requests. It’s crazy - between internal Deloitte networking and LinkedIn and my network connecting me to folks …. It’s a lot.

That’s just how it is when you’re the big D

likefunny

☹😭

like

Personally would prefer an open office hr then 1-1 chat! Gives me to ability to show you my people skills as well as technical.

like

Wait, dream job and Delatte fit in the same sentence together? 🤯

funnylike

I know you meant Deloitte, but I got a good chuckle out of Delatte. Must be the French location 😂

likefunny

Same here. Do office hours and have your assistant route these requests and book the time requested there. Impossible to spend 20 hours a week mentoring.

like

Have you tried this?

For Deloitte?

like

No, for my specific career path

What level are you?

like

SM - about 15 years into my career

I get quite a few a week and try hard to meet all of them. What level are you?

like

I’m at the same level and about the same YOE. I’ll be a bit bold and say you owe it to the younger folks. Share your knowledge and experience. It’s going to massively help their career.

Meet them if they make sense for you. If it is random, suggest another person/option.

like

So 30-60 minutes a week is too tough? Coffee calls usually take 5-10 minutes at most. Don't block 30 minutes for a coffee. Take them all, keep them short. You're going to redirect most of then to someone more appropriate anyway.

like

5 mins… how is that enough?

Just for a second I thought I was looking at a LinkedIn lunatics post on Reddit

Bruh. You work at Deloitte and people hitting you up?

Find another person to send the people you're less excited about to. And ditto to the point about fitting it into your schedule wherever it works. If that's a a number of weeks out so be it.

I think firms need to reinvent how they evaluate candidates. I see a lot of low quality students at my program get into good girls. Why? They can case for 30 mins better than others. They will likely get counseled out in 1.5 years.

Companies are terrible at identifying good talent. They usually can spot the top 20% well. But then after that you see a lot of questionable decisions.

Coffee chats are another useless element in the cycle. As an mba student, I can tell you that we are just doing it to check the box. Ot sure why we all have to play this game.

Good firms**

You sound important

Have a form email response that politely declines but answers the most frequently asked questions

You could also do a signup list. Just open up an Excel sheet and have them add their name. They might have to wait a few months, but it would solve the problem. Just explain you get a lot of requests & put things in context

Related Posts

Anyone interviewed for a product specialist/product operations role at FAANG recently? Would have some questions on the interview process

like

I applied for a role a few days ago and found the relevant hiring manager today via LinkedIn. Should I send a follow up mail/introduce myself to this person. Would it leave a good impression or come across as desperate?

Btw, the person is in a “Talent Acquisition” position at the company.

like

After 10 rounds of interviews for a TPM position the recruiter says he will set me up for team alignment, and then take it to HC for a decision. Is this the normal process? Isnt HC decision done first

My current package is 6 lakh and at time of screening I said expected 10 lakh , should I tell I expect 11 lakh in managerial round or different nos will lead to rejection.Also salary negotiable is done by manager only? Experience - 3 years 3 month

Hello Friends... How long does it take for the HR to come up for a discussion or offer.... In SAP, SAP labs..

I have cleared all the rounds on 9th June, 2022 and awaiting HR round and offer proposal...

Kindly shed more light...

I was so keen on this position... Now I am worried.... Disheartening after almost 5 rounds...

like

Think I’m being ghosted from a recruiter, would you send a second follow up email or just move on? Got good vibes and interview was over an hour confused on what happened

likefunny

Hi guys,

I switched 20 days back to Optum. I have 7 years of experience working as a full stack Engineer, who is passionate working on both front end and back end on latest technologies. But my project is working only on back end with 10 years old tech stack. There is no front end work at all. What should I do?
I don't like working here at all, but I am not sure whether moving out again in a month will give bad Impression on my resume. Hence please give me advice on this situation

like

Anyone interested in group conversation and prepration for Java 8, microservices, spring mvc and boot? Interview preparation basically.

like
like

Anyone who gave data analyst interview in UBS , have you received offer yet or waiting ?

like

Hello,
I have applied for the position of a consultant at Accenture and am currently ongoing the interview process.
I have successfully cleared the Skill 1 and Skill 2 interview rounds and was now expecting that the next would be the HR round.
I have been mailed that there is there is a third round before the HR round that is going to conducted the next week.
Skill 1: Pure Technical
Skill 2: Semi Technical + Managerial

What you I be expecting in this third round?

Has anyone attended DevOps Engineer interview with TheMathCompany

like

After how long we will hear back once online test compelted ?

I have applied for a job in CTS and got a mail saying we are pleased to consider your profile for a position in Cognizant.

In order to proceed with your application please upload your photo and fill the Candidate Declaration Form-1 (CDF-1) by accessing the below link.

I filled the form but I have not received any further communication it has been 2+ weeks.

like

Anyone working as a 2 years + lawyer for Fragomen in Canada can share their salaries and working advantages? (holidays, billable hours etc). Got an interview coming up and want to make sure not to under-sale my profile!

like

Hi Folks

Anyone here went through Agoda interview process recently?

I've applied for an engineering manager role and seeking some guidance on what to expect.

Would greatly appreciate any advice.

Cheers!

like

SO and I recently moved to the DC area. We are both new to federal consulting. They have a few interviews this week. When a job description mentions " an understanding of federal contracting vehicles and procedures".
What should they be ready to talk about? CLINs, GSAs, color team reviews etc.? Would anyone have insights on this? Much appreciated!

likehelpful

I have an interview coming up for a Case Manager position for the in-home care company. I would have 16 patients in my caseload 9 locally & 6 out of town. The company said the case managers are the backbone to their organization. Is the workload much greater than the in home nurse? Would a Case Managers make more an hour bc of their leadership decisions & caseload they are responsible for? In Indeed the ranges for salary varied. What would you negotiate for in NW Ohio area?

likehelpful

It has been almost 2 weeks since I joined KPMG Global Services, but I have not been assigned any project yet. They are telling again there will be client interviews. What the hell is this? I mean I just cracked the interview to join KGS. And now again why do I need to attend interview? What happens if someone cannot crack client interview?will he not get project and will be asked to leave?

Hello Guys KPMG , KPMG India I recently interviewwith KPMG pune for KGS and haven't heard back from them since 2-3 weeks. I have tried calling the HR, emailing them, following up on the email etc etc. But no response. Is this normal for KPMG?

like

More Posts

Hey folks. I am having 2 yrs experience. I am getting 130% hike to my CTC in IQVIA. Should I go for it? Is it a good and worth company? The profile is G130- Business Analyst! Also, in terms what is the level of G130 grade?

like
like
like

Any XD leads here that work at Accenture Interactive or EY Design Studio?
How do you like it? Is one better than the other? I'm talking to both and I'm kind of torn -- they both seem like good companies to work for. Any insight would be great!

like

What can I be doing in my current entry level tech consulting job to make me a great candidate for promotions/raises or changing jobs in the next year or 2?

like

Is MSCI product or service based company?

like

does tudor hold their value similar to rolex? interested in getting a black bay gmt but dont want to keep it forever

like

Do Bank of America or frets work from home policy, if no is there any exceptions considered?? Thanks in advance

like

What would be my inhand for this below structure and which tax slab should i choose?i have around 90k investment for 80c.
For Additional 1.75 lakh one time bouns, is it going to be considered for calculating tax?

Post Photo
like

Looking to purchase a birth year watch (1987) am eyeing a Rolex Datejust ref: 16234 (fluted white gold bezel, Julianne bracelet)

Any leads on reputable vintage Rolex dealers in nyc?

like

Anyone here work in UX design? I'm thinking of switching careers and wondering what your experience in UX design is? What courses are the best to take, etc.

like

About 2,300 National Guard members will remain in Washington as deployment is extended through most of May

likeuplifting
like

Hi Fishes,

Can anyone tell what is the variable component percentage for D1/Senior Manager band in Capgemini? And also do Capgemini provide variable pay quarterly Or yearly once?
Please guide.

like

Is $84K base for audit senior 1 in Seattle considered okay?

helpful

TC New grad Software Engineer
Base: $110k
Sign-On: $35k
RSU: $120k/3years
Relocation: $20k

Starting fresh with virtually $0 savings and $0 worth of financial literacy, whats the best course of action? any advice is greatly appreciated!

like

Any coat recommendations? Looking to spend under $400 mid/long length in a dark grey or black. Never bought a coat before looking for something good quality that won’t break the bank

like

Anyone in ATL during the week? I want to explore 😁

like

Mazespin living up to his name in practice. Already in the gravel. 🤦🏼‍♂️

likefunny

माफ़ी_माँग_ओबामा (In response to Obama’s comments on Rahul Gandhi)

Post Photo
funnylike

Additional Posts in Consulting

Hey all, new hire here! Going to receive a $250 wfh credit; any recs on what I should get to build out my home office?

like

When giving your salary expectations, do you say one number, or do you give a broad range?

like

How many of us are working with just a bachelor's degree and how's it going? How many of us feel like/have experienced advanced degrees opening more/different doors?

like

Who leads the Data Science/Data Engineering field right now? Cloud transformations, ML implementations, BI reporting? Companies + Practices?

like

So i have been fortunate that i have managed to go through my career without the need for a degree. I was lucky enough to have been hired by one of the worlds top consulting firms, worked with a whole lot of big clients and travelled a lot. It's gotten to the point where I am not even asked about the lack of a degree on my resume. Personally though, it bothers me. I have a whole bunch of certifications in my industry…but just no formal degree. (cont'd)

like

Anyone else get crazy anxious before a big meeting or presentation? How do you cope?

like

Tax question - I was living in Chicago in 2015 and am trying to figure out if I need to claim income earned while I was in another state on my IL return. Thoughts?

like

Colleague passed my work on as his, how to handle this gracefully ?

like

I know I'm a seasoned consultant because I know the locations of the best plugs in airports across the country. I can't decided if I'm proud or sad to possess such knowledge.

like

To the moon…Oh I mean back to earth. Sigh 😞

funny

If you come in as a SM into Big 4, what are the chances you’ll make MD? Is preference usually given to those with tenure? I don’t know any MD who has been at their firm for less than 15 years tbh

like

Think I’m being ghosted from a recruiter, would you send a second follow up email or just move on? Got good vibes and interview was over an hour confused on what happened

likefunny

Is 55k as a new hire associate too low?

like

Which firms are on FB? Feels like FB is overweighted D and ACN.

The safety video says to make sure aisle armrests are lowered before takeoff. I've never figured out how to get it raised up in the first place. 🤔

like

Had this question pop up a lot recently - discussed here many times before, but want to see if we can quantify the discussion a bit. Let’s assume the vaccine is at 70% shots in arms by 4th of July (‘21), and 80-85% by Labor Day. In 2022, are we back to 3/4/5, or do you think parts of the remote culture will stick going forward?

likehelpful

Been on the bench for a month. Was just hired as associate. Been reaching out to people I met looking for work but have nothing to do for the fifth week right now. What do I do?

like

All I want to do is curl up in bed with hot tea and a good book. Recommendations for if I ever achieve said dream?

like

Does anyone else get anxious when they view someone else's deck in a meeting and the formatting sucks? Jumping titles, inconsistent font and size, table of varying sizes, etc.

like

A good consultant knows to predict the next move in a game of checkers. A great consultant knows that it's chess that we were playing all along.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal