Guide
Investment Banking Coffee Chat Questions: What to Ask and How to Prepare
A good investment banking coffee chat is a short, prepared conversation: a 30-second intro, questions matched to the banker’s seniority, and a thank-you note within 24 hours. Ask about their experience and their group, not for a job. The referral, if it comes, follows from a good conversation.
Why coffee chats matter
Networking calls are where many candidates first get noticed at a firm. A banker who remembers a thoughtful conversation may pass your name along, mention you to recruiting, or simply give you better material for your "Why this firm?" answer. A forgettable or unprepared call does none of that.
Before the call
- Know who they are: their group, how long they have been at the firm, where they went to school, and anything you genuinely share.
- Prepare a 30-second intro: who you are, what you are studying, and what drew you to banking and to this firm.
- Write six questions, best first, so you can stop after three if the call runs short.
Questions to ask, by seniority
Analysts and associates
- What does a typical week look like in your group right now?
- What surprised you most in your first few months?
- What separates the analysts who do well in their first year?
- How did you prepare for recruiting, and what would you do differently?
VPs and above
- How has the group's focus changed over the last few years?
- What kinds of clients and situations does the group see most often?
- What made you stay at the firm as your career progressed?
- What do you look for in junior bankers on your deal teams?
What to avoid
- Asking for a job or referral directly. Let the conversation earn it.
- Questions you could answer with a search. "What does your firm do?" signals no preparation.
- Running long. If you asked for 15 minutes, offer to wrap up at 15.
The thank-you note
Subject: Thank you for your time
Hi [Name], thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I especially appreciated your perspective on [something specific they said]. It gave me a much clearer sense of [the group / the role]. I hope we can stay in touch as recruiting continues.
Best,
[Your name]
Send it within 24 hours, and reference one specific thing from the conversation so it does not read like a template.
How ApexIB helps
In My Network you can keep every contact with notes and call dates, then build a prep sheet for any contact in seconds. It includes a snapshot of who they are and what to aim for, talking points based on real overlaps with your resume, six questions matched to their seniority, a 30-second intro written from your resume, things to avoid, and a thank-you email ready to personalize. It only uses the details you have saved, so it never invents facts about the person or their deals.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a coffee chat be?
Usually 15 to 30 minutes. Respect the time you asked for and offer to wrap up when it is reached.
Should I ask for a referral in a coffee chat?
Not directly. Focus on learning about their experience. If the conversation goes well, many bankers will offer to help or pass your name along on their own.
How many coffee chats should I do per firm?
Two or three meaningful conversations at a firm is a strong base, ideally with people in different seniority levels or groups.
When should I send a thank-you email?
Within 24 hours, with a reference to something specific from the conversation.
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