Don't over think it - just be relaxed and polite and don't force anything. In a phone call, if you've hit it off, just say something like,shock259 wrote:Thanks so much for writing this out. This is a great kick in the pants for me.
Question: how do you transition from a phone interview to a lunch? Would you normally end the phone conversation with a request for lunch? How would you phrase it? Or would you ask for lunch afterward in a thank-you note?
That only works if they've been cool while you've chatted. If they've been awkward and hurried and don't really seem invested in you, your request for lunch is going to fall flat - they might say yes because it's human nature, but you're going to be wasting both of your time."Hey, you've been incredibly helpful and I really appreciate it. I don't want to take up too much of your time, but if you're ever available, I'd love to sit down with you for lunch sometime and talk with you some more."
In a thank you email, I'd say pretty much the same thing - here we'll imagine it is a busy partner, so we'll dress it up a bit:
Busy Partner will most likely reply by: a) proposing a time for lunch, b) saying, "sure thing, anytime, let's meet up", or c) ignoring, and passively rejecting, your request.Dear Busy Partner,
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit with me. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your advice - it really makes me excited about XYZ. I certainly know you are very busy, and don't want to take up too much of your time, but if you are ever free for lunch, I would love the chance to talk with you a little more.
Thanks again,
Hungry Networking Student
(Note: Having said all the above, I personally try to be really mindful of partners' time and limit my requests - they are really busy and you don't want to be pushy. But, you know, fortune favors the bold.)