The Art of the Coffee Chat

MBA Edition

During my internship at Microsoft, I had over 80+ coffee chats. Yep. 80!

First, a huge shoutout to my managers for making it possible — not only did I deliver on my projects, but I also had the space to connect with people across Xbox, across Microsoft, and even across other employers.

That balance of work and networking shaped my internship as much as the dashboards, frameworks, and research I built.

These conversations became my curriculum. Every chat opened a new door — sometimes to knowledge, sometimes to perspective, sometimes to opportunity.

Why Coffee?

Coffee chats are often misunderstood. They aren’t interviews. They aren’t formal meetings. They’re conversations — 20 to 30 minutes of intentional curiosity.

For MBAs, they’re gold. Coffee chats give you:

Insight into companies beyond their websites.
Perspective on roles, industries, and cultures.
Connections that can turn into mentorship or advocacy.

Recruiting is competitive, but relationships make it human.

The Worst They Can Do Is Say No

Early on, I was nervous about reaching out. I didn’t want to bother people. I worried my questions weren’t polished enough.

Then I learned one simple truth: the worst they can do is say no.

And very often, they don’t.

One afternoon, I happened to run into Sarah Bond (President of Xbox). I could have let the moment pass, but instead I introduced myself and asked if we could connect more formally. Weeks later, that casual encounter turned into a meaningful conversation — one that reminded me that senior leaders are often more approachable than we imagine.

And then there was Dave McCarthy (COO of Xbox). I reached out, not sure if he’d even respond. Not only did he reply, he invited us for lunch — a generous gesture that turned what could have been a 15-minute chat into a deep, personal connection.

Every “yes” I received taught me this: opportunities don’t always come from perfect timing or polished scripts. Sometimes, they come because you were brave enough to ask.

How to Approach Coffee Chats

A few lessons I carried through those 80 conversations:

Before the chat → Do your homework. Know who you’re talking to, and have 2–3 tailored questions ready.
During the chat → Let curiosity lead. Share your story clearly, but let them talk most of the time.
After the chat → Always send a thank-you. And follow up months later, not just when you need something.

It’s not about volume — it’s about consistency. But sometimes, doing many (like I did) helps you see patterns you would otherwise miss.

Coffee Chats Beyond the MBA

Coffee chats don’t stop once recruiting is over.

Inside a company: they help you understand the broader business and stay visible.
Across industries: they’re often how career pivots begin.
As you grow: you become the one giving coffee chats, passing knowledge forward.

Networking, at its best, is not transactional. It’s community.

What 80 Conversations Taught Me

Every chat has value — even if not immediately obvious.
People are more generous than we give them credit for.
Curiosity is contagious. When you approach people with genuine interest, they often mirror it back.

Coffee chats changed how I see networking. It’s not about asking for jobs. It’s about asking for perspective — and building relationships that outlast recruiting season.

So if you’re hesitant, remember this: the worst they can do is say no.

But if they say yes — and many will — you may find yourself, like me, sitting across from someone you once thought out of reach, discovering that a single conversation can change how you see your work, your industry, and even yourself.