As a newcomer in Canada looking for a job, you’ve probably already participated in several
formal and informal conversations. Coffee chats are somewhere between the two, and of late
have emerged as a staple in Canadian work culture.
These short one-on-one conversations can give you deep insight into a professional’s career
path, industry trends, mentorship opportunities, and so much more. For instance, my last coffee
chat connection shared her list of favorite cafes in Toronto, made introductions, and even
celebrated my professional achievements!
For immigrants in particular, coffee chats are opportunities to perfect their conversational skills,
and develop a better understanding of Canadian employers. Maybe even get that pre-interview
nervousness out of the way!
However, not all coffee chats are created equal. In fact, some may feel like a burdensome
twenty minutes, others could have you feeling like you’ve known your connection since forever.
Regardless of its fate, it’s always best to go in well-prepared so that you can have an effortless
and lively conversation.
Do them right, and a successful coffee chat can turn out to be your trump card. So let’s find out
how you can make the most of them:
🎯 Approaching the right person the right way
Depending on your objective, make a list of people you find interesting and would like to speak
with. Next, draft a short yet precise message as to why you’d like to have the coffee chat, and
what you’d like to learn from your connection. Include a specific duration between 15 to 30
minutes so that your connection can chalk out the required time. Close with a suggestion of
doing this over video or audio call.
Pro tip: Boost your chances of acceptance by beginning your message with a thoughtful
compliment. This could be about a recent achievement, a well-written article or a relatable
comment that your connection posted. In short – do your research and put it to good use!
🎯 Have an open mind and show genuine interest
A coffee chat isn’t always a gateway to a job, but it can be your chance to broaden your network
and cash in on some precious introductions. At the very least, you will end the call having learnt
more about the industry and work culture in Canada. Keep your mind open to the possibilities at
the other end of the call and maintain steady interest in your connection throughout.
🎯 Research your connection well
When you initiate a coffee chat, do some basic ground work about your connection. This
includes knowing where they work, their university, and some basic work history so you can ask
them relevant questions. Preparing your questions prior to the call can help steer the
conversation according to your objectives. Framing your questions with the right information can put things in perspective for your connection. This simply means – offer reasoning behind your
questions. Some examples are:
“I noticed from your LinkedIn that you made a career change from Finance to Cybersecurity, –
what steps did you take to make that move, and what advice would you give to someone
who is looking to transition to Cybersecurity?”
“As a newcomer, I sometimes struggle with the confidence required to take on leadership roles.
Have you faced this dilemma any time and how did you deal with it?”
🎯 Go off script with personal questions
Wait, did you forget that this was a casual conversation? Go ahead and ask your connection
about what they like to do in their free time, share travel stories, and probably even swap some
Netflix recommendations. Showing your personality in coffee chats is an equally important factor
as sharing your career details, as Canadian companies place a great deal of importance on the
‘cultural fit’ of a potential candidate.
A word of caution – refrain from getting too personal. Family, religion, politics, off-color humor,
and sexuality are generally considered off limits.
🎯 Leave a lasting impression with a follow-up
All’s well that ends well, so remember to send a sweet thank-you note after your coffee chat.
Consider mentioning a topic from your recent conversation, like sharing the name of a book or
asking for details about a café they liked. This thoughtful gesture not only leaves a positive
impression but also provides a conversation starter for future interactions.
Now that you know the secret sauce behind a successful coffee chat, here are some pointers of
what not to do:
- Don’t make spelling mistakes with your connection’s name when you reach out to them
over email or text. When you meet them for the first time, always ask if you are
pronouncing their name correctly. - Don’t exceed your stipulated time unless your connection is okay with it. If the
conversation is going over time, always pause and ask if you could wrap up in an
additional 5 minutes. Else, ask for another appointment in the following days. - Don’t forget to ask for suggestions for your next coffee chat!. Depending on the
conversation, your connection should be able to suggest some contacts from their
network that could potentially be helpful in your journey. If they don’t offer any contacts,
ask if there’s someone they know that you could talk to. - Don’t take rejections personally. If you have sent out several invitations and haven’t
heard back from any, consider tweaking your message for better results. People are
busy and a follow-up message can remind them of your request.
While these are some pointers to get you started in the right direction, successful coffee chats
can happen under any circumstances. They may occur at a conference you recently attended,
at the park, or even in grocery stores. Have you heard about the broccoli challenge? With fewer
inhibitions and an open mind, every newcomer in Canada can get hired in fulfilling jobs
