The LinkedIn Message That Helped Me Land a Google Offer

Updated 2026/10/16

When you’re looking for a job, or even applying to schools, a Coffee Chat is a powerful step that people often overlook.

Your resume, past experience, and hard and soft skills all matter. But often what really sets you apart is the firsthand information a Coffee Chat gives you, or the connections it opens up. Good Networking can bring you a step closer to your dream, whether through a referral or through the insights and lessons the other person shares with you. It can also turn into real friendships and lasting connections.

In this post, I’ll share the actual LinkedIn messages I sent when I reached out to people, show how you can use them to contact strangers yourself, and pass on what I’ve learned from many Coffee Chats of my own. I hope it helps!

What is a Coffee Chat?

A Coffee Chat is what it sounds like: a conversation that lasts about as long as a cup of coffee. Put simply, it’s a chance to talk “less formally” with someone more experienced and build connections with other professionals.

Both sides usually talk about their careers and goals, and many people treat a Coffee Chat as an Information Interview. It gives job seekers a direct look at a company or industry and an early feel for the working schedule, so they can make a clearer, more realistic plan for their career. A Coffee Chat is also a great way to build your network. Experienced professionals can give you advice and lessons from their own careers, and that kind of firsthand information is hard to find by searching online.

If you’re planning to work in another country or city, a Coffee Chat can also help you understand the local job market and workplace culture so you’re ready for the new environment. The setting is relaxed, so people can talk “less formally.” Nobody has to book a meeting room for a serious discussion. A casual setting (or an online video Coffee Chat with cameras on) often makes it easier to build a deeper connection.

A Coffee Chat takes far less prep time than a resume or an interview, yet it can greatly improve your chances of getting into a school or landing a job. You might even find a Mentor or someone who opens doors for you!

How to find the “right strangers”

Start by reaching out to people who have something in common with you, and stress the connection between you. Make clear why you want to talk to them in particular.

When you share a background, they can relate to what you’re going through in your job or school search, and they’re more willing to help! Advice from people who’ve walked a similar path is also more useful to you. For example, I reach out first to alumni (from university or even high school) and friends of close friends, and after that to more senior people or colleagues with similar work experience (people who have also worked in consulting). What you have in common is a natural link, and it makes them feel closer to you.

Example:

• Hi, I noticed we both graduated from [university]. I’m currently exploring opportunities in [field] and would love to learn about your journey at [company].

Start by looking through the network you already have:

• Alumni (university, high school, even middle or elementary school): The most direct group, and the easiest one to connect with
• Friends of friends (weak ties): Ask your friends to introduce you. An introduction from a mutual friend makes people more likely to reply
• Former or current colleagues (if applicable): Past colleagues or managers can also be a big help
• Members of clubs, organizations, or events you’ve been part of: Any shared experience makes a good icebreaker and quickly makes you feel less like a stranger

LinkedIn Coffee Chat invitation templates

LinkedIn message (translated from the Chinese version)

Hi XXX! I’m Jason. I’m currently applying for [company/role/industry, e.g., the Account Manager role at Google] and preparing hard for the interviews. I noticed that your experience in [their team or role, e.g., Account Manager at Google] closely matches the direction of my job search, especially your achievements in [a specific skill or area, e.g., client relationship management or advertising and marketing strategy]. I also noticed that, like me, you [what you have in common, e.g., had a similar experience at [a school/event/organization/project]].

I’d love the chance to learn more from you, for example about your experience working at Google and the skills and mindset it takes to be a great Account Manager. If it’s convenient, could we set up a short online coffee chat? Any industry Insights or advice would mean a lot to me!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my message. I look forward to hearing from you, and all the best with your work!

LinkedIn message (English version)

Hi [Name],

I noticed that we share a common background in (insert shared experience, e.g., attending [school], participating in [project], or working in [field]), especially in (insert specific area, e.g., marketing or account management). Your achievements in this area are truly inspiring!

I’m currently applying to (insert company name, e.g., Google) and have recently received an interview invitation. I came across your profile and was impressed by your experience as (insert position, e.g., Account Manager at Google), which aligns closely with my career aspirations. I would love to learn more about your journey and any advice you might have.

If possible, I’d love to arrange a short coffee chat at your convenience to hear about your experiences and insights. It would be incredibly valuable to me!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my message. I look forward to your reply and hope you have a great day!

Best regards,
(Insert your name, e.g., Jason)

How to prepare for a Coffee Chat

When you meet a professional face to face, preparation matters most. If you’re well prepared and stay calm, you can show your strengths and personality during the conversation and leave a strong impression. Here’s what to prepare:

Research their background

Before you meet, study their career background, work experience, areas of expertise, and even some of their personal interests. You’ll ask sharper questions, and they’ll see that you respect them and put in the effort. For example, look at their career path on LinkedIn and find the experience that relates to your goals. If they’ve published articles or given talks, read or watch them ahead of time and bring them up in the conversation.

Get to know the person you’ll be talking with, including their career background, experience, and hobbies. That helps you find things to talk about during the Coffee Chat and understand their role, their team, and even their standing in the industry.

Take the screenshot below. I had come across a Medium article he wrote, so I opened my message with it to show my passion for the field and the work I’d put in. Complimenting his article also helped bring us closer.

Sample questions:

• How did you get started in your career? I’d love to learn more about what you do and the core components involved.
• What do you like most about working at the [company]?

Set a clear goal

When you send a Coffee Chat invitation, say briefly and clearly what you hope to get out of it. For example: “I’m applying for the [position] at your company and would like to learn more about the team culture and the work.” That way your invitation won’t come across as vague or aimless.

Writing it down also makes you decide ahead of time what you want from the chat, such as learning about the company culture, getting career advice, or growing your network. A clear goal helps you ask targeted questions and get useful information during the conversation.

As you can see below, I state the role I’m applying for and the questions I want to ask, so the person getting a message from a stranger knows exactly how I plan to use their time!

Sample questions:

• What does a typical day at [company] look like for you?
• What do you like most about your job?
• What’s the most challenging part of your job?

Prepare your self-introduction

Introduce yourself briefly, covering your school and major, your experience, and your goals. Make sure you can explain, in a short time, your main goal, why you asked for this Coffee Chat, and what you hope to get from it.

Note: don’t stiffly recite your resume. Prepare one or more short stories that make your experience vivid and interesting, so the person you’re meeting remembers you.

Ask questions that resonate

Questions that are too General are hard to answer and can make the other person feel you don’t respect their time, which backfires. Start with questions about what you have in common, and adapt to their answers as you go.

For example, I like to ask how one of their earlier jobs that I know something about compares with their current one, and I respond with my own experience and what resonates with me, which gives them some emotional reward (and makes them want to share more).

Prepare open-ended questions

When you write your questions, avoid ones that can be answered with a simple Yes or No. Open-ended questions encourage the other person to share more of their experience and views. For example:

• What inspired you to pursue a career in [field]?
• What skills do you think are essential for succeeding in your role at [company]?
• What’s a challenge you faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

Have questions ready in advance

To keep the conversation flowing and substantive, prepare some questions in advance that build on what was just said or lead naturally into the next topic. They can be about additional hiring information, company culture, or industry trends.

Sample questions:

• Are there any meetups or networking events that you would recommend?
• Do you have recommendations for anyone else I should talk to or resources I should explore?

How to handle yourself during a Coffee Chat

Respect their time

At the start, thank them for making time to talk with you and introduce yourself briefly. Check how much time they have, and make sure you finish within it.

Show professionalism and enthusiasm

Stay focused and polite. Instead of dwelling on what you need help with, look for something both of you can gain from the conversation. For example, tell them what you admire about their experience and share your goals, so they can see your ambition and positive energy.

Follow up promptly

Send a thank-you message soon after the Coffee Chat. Say you’re grateful, and mention again how they helped and what you learned. The email or LinkedIn message should be short and sincere, and it should name something specific you took away from the conversation. For example:

• Thank you for sharing your insights about [specific topic]. Your advice on [specific point] was incredibly helpful and will guide me in [next steps].

Stay in touch

After the Coffee Chat, keeping the relationship going and helping it grow is an essential next step. Follow up in friendly, professional ways, and don’t let the relationship drop. Every so often, send a short message with an update on how you’re doing, or mention some interesting industry news. Staying in touch makes the relationship stronger!

Join activities you both enjoy

If you find a shared interest or activity during the Coffee Chat, try to take part in it. It keeps the relationship going, and a more relaxed setting helps you get to know each other better. For example, I used to attend a Professional Community in Taipei, which gave me one more shared experience with the people I asked for Coffee Chats.

Summary

Sincerity is your secret weapon!

A Coffee Chat is a great chance to talk with people in your industry, learn from their experience, and build your network, but be clear that it isn’t a direct shortcut to a job. It’s mostly a way to build relationships and learn, with access to people who have been in the field for years. Turning that into a job opportunity still takes time and effort! Still, if you give it a real try, you won’t have regrets.

Coffee Chats are an important way to build professional relationships and gather information. If you make good use of them, prepare carefully, and put real care into each conversation, you can pave the way toward your career or academic goals. Connecting with people comes down to sincerity and mutual benefit, and sincere interactions are what earn people’s support and trust!