Can We Meet For Coffee? I Just Want To ‘Pick Your Brain’

Amidst the chaos of being a single working mom and raising a very active toddler, one of my favorite “Me-time moments” is to read the New York Post every morning with a hot cup of coffee before the day begins. Not long ago I bookmarked an article called “Why People Are Now Charging to Network Over Coffee”.

The discussion was around whether networking, or more specifically, time spent giving advice over coffee should be ‘invoiced.’ There were several different opinions and ultimately there was no conclusion, but it’s something that has stuck with me, since a lot of my time is spent networking and meeting with people just to “pick my brain” around recruitment advice and career consulting.

If you’re sincerely searching for a career change or you have been exploring LinkedIn for your next opportunity, one of the most valuable things you can do is seek out some time with someone who knows the game. Here are my tips if you’re lucky enough to be granted time with a recruitment expert:

1. Come prepared. It’s ok if you are not 100% sure what you want to do career-wise but keep in mind someone is taking the time to help you make your next move. Honor this by having a set of questions ready, familiarizing yourself with the companies that are out there that align with your interests, and taking the time to know your strengths and weaknesses. If you are not a numbers person, don’t ask about accounting jobs, but if you are a creative person, inquiring about different functions in marketing is a great question to ask.
2. Be proactive. People often think that the person they are meeting with for advice is going to have “the job” for them. You will make better use of everyone’s time (including your own) if you’ve been actively applying for jobs, you’ve updated your resume and you’ve carved out a clear idea of what company/positions you’re aiming for, and are now looking for a way in the door. If you go into a meeting expecting that they’ll have the answer and will do the groundwork for you, you’ll leave disappointed. The meeting is about advice, not a job offer.
3. Be patient and stay in touch. It should go without saying that a thank you note should be sent shortly after your meeting…you would be surprised how often this is over looked. No matter whom pays for the coffee, take the time out to show your appreciation of the other’s person time. You are more likely to be remembered (and referred) when you do this.

The last point I want to leave you with that was not mentioned in the article but what I feel is most important: should you land that dream job, reach out to the person that you met with for coffee to let them know…this small gesture will always make the time spent worth it and will definitely srengthen network ties for the future.

About the author: Rebecca Levin is the VP of Retail and Digital Business Development at Martin Kartin & Company. Rebecca intimately understands the new generation of talent and how to match their specific dynamic with today’s newly defined roles and organizations. Follow her on Twitter@MartinKartinCo and contact her at rlevin@martinkartin.com