info interview q's: meeting at coffee shop, morning, etc... Forum

[Anonymous User]

Questions are:

business casual or suit? I have been on a few info interviews and I always wear a suit. However, this is my first morning- over coffee one, and my gut says business casual. Basically, I feel like a suit at 9:30am at the local downtown coffee shop would be a bit much. Thoughts?

Ordering: I dont drink coffee, never have. It was the attorneys idea for the spot so any alternatives would be welcome. Someone recomended tea, but truth is I'm a guy and drinking tea feels, well, you know.

*The attorney is a partner at a big law firm (secondary market) and already turned me down for a job but agreed to meet with me to discuss the market (if this info helps any).

Thanks.

[slyyr]

If he says anything tell him the entire British empire was built on cups of tea.

[sidhesadie]

I think tea is fine, if you don't want that, every coffee shop I've ever been in sells prepackaged orange juice, which seems perfectly acceptable at 9:30 in the morning. You can always just ask for water, too. You don't have to order something non-water.

As for the suit...I don't know, if it's an actual interview as opposed to just a meeting over coffee, I'd go with however the lawyers at the office dress. Ok, I'd probably wear a suit anyway because for interviews I'd always rather be over dressed than under dressed. But if it's a firm that wears suits, wear a suit, because they wear their suits all day, even when they get coffee at 9am.

[Anonymous User]

I think tea is fine, if you don't want that, every coffee shop I've ever been in sells prepackaged orange juice, which seems perfectly acceptable at 9:30 in the morning. You can always just ask for water, too. You don't have to order something non-water.

As for the suit...I don't know, if it's an actual interview as opposed to just a meeting over coffee, I'd go with however the lawyers at the office dress. Ok, I'd probably wear a suit anyway because for interviews I'd always rather be over dressed than under dressed. But if it's a firm that wears suits, wear a suit, because they wear their suits all day, even when they get coffee at 9am.

Why would anyone where a suit to a coffee chat? Informational interviews are about networking, not about interviewing for a job. You should be relaxed and informal.

No one cares what you order at the coffee shop
(though I would advise against Irish coffees in this setting).

[theavrock]

I wear khakis and a button down shirt to all of mine. Do not wear a suit. You will look out of place.

I also don't drink coffee and always order hot chocolate or chai tea. No one gives a shit if you aren't drinking coffee. I'm debating whether or not to question whether you're trying to compensate for something but I'll resist for now.

Don't think of this person as a big law partner on a pedestal. Just go in to meet with him and get any insight you can. Also don't forget to ask at the end if he has anyone else he would suggest you speak with given your interests (key to building your network if you didn't already know).

[Lwoods]

Wear slacks and a collared shirt (a polo is totally fine). No tie, no jacket.

Just get bottled water to drink.

Relax and approach it like you're out with a new friend. Ultimately, people like helping people they like. It's already a good sign that he's meeting up with you. Have fun!

[sidhesadie]

Well that's why I said 'if this is an actual interview'

as opposed to an informational interview, which I don't consider an actual interview, it's not like at the end of it you will either a) be offered a job or b) not be offered a job.

Obviously, if this is an informational, 'let's chat about my business' type meeting, that would be in the 'meeting over coffee' category...I don't see how my categories were unclear, but if they were, then I apologize. Obviously you don't wear a suit to meet someone over coffee to talk about what they do.

EDIT *Ha, I swear to GOD that last sentence explaining he was just meeting for that reason was not there when I looked the first time, it was probably hidden under the notes I'm supposed to be studying for my final. READING FAIL. Sorry

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for all the responses. I think business casual makes the most sense. Also, funny line about my issues with tea. Not trying to overcompensate (i think at least) just that I'm in NY and tea isnt really something we drink.

Anyways, I am sure I am making more out of these "problems" than I should, but I guess thats what this market will do to you.

[emptyflare]

Regarding coffee decision, there's a perceivable difference between ordering a raspberry mint tea/chai tea latte and ordering English breakfast tea

[Anonymous User]

Regarding coffee decision, there's a perceivable difference between ordering a raspberry mint tea/chai tea latte and ordering English breakfast tea

I dont know, I'm upstate and in these cities you can get the shit kicked out of you for ordering tea, lol.

[theavrock]

Regarding coffee decision, there's a perceivable difference between ordering a raspberry mint tea/chai tea latte and ordering English breakfast tea

I dont know, I'm upstate and in these cities you can get the shit kicked out of you for ordering tea, lol.

Then order coffee. I mean if I was going to get the shit kicked out of me for ordering tea I suppose I would order coffee, but I have never seen that anywhere in my time on this Earth.

[emptyflare]

haha fair enough. Can you order a coffee and sip at it (or pretend to sip at it) throughout the conversation?

[ExAnt3]

Can you order a coffee ... (pretend to sip at it) throughout the conversation?

Please don't do this. Pretty please?

[rinkrat19]

Regarding coffee decision, there's a perceivable difference between ordering a raspberry mint tea/chai tea latte and ordering English breakfast tea

Yeah, the former are drinkable and the latter tastes like barkdust.

[Anonymous User]

Not OP (and sorry to necro, but it's relevant).

I have a networking meeting with a partner from a pretty big law firm coming up. As far as I know, it's in their offices (i.e. not meeting for coffee). Suit or business casual?

[Lwoods]

Not OP (and sorry to necro, but it's relevant).

I have a networking meeting with a partner from a pretty big law firm coming up. As far as I know, it's in their offices (i.e. not meeting for coffee). Suit or business casual?

The dressier side of business casual...unless it's Quinn, then the casual side of business casual. You basically should look like you work there, except you'll be better rested and slightly more polished than the associates.

[Anonymous User]

Not OP (and sorry to necro, but it's relevant).

I have a networking meeting with a partner from a pretty big law firm coming up. As far as I know, it's in their offices (i.e. not meeting for coffee). Suit or business casual?

The dressier side of business casual...unless it's Quinn, then the casual side of business casual. You basically should look like you work there, except you'll be better rested and slightly more polished than the associates.

So dress pants, dress shirt, cardigan, heels?

[Lwoods]

Not OP (and sorry to necro, but it's relevant).

I have a networking meeting with a partner from a pretty big law firm coming up. As far as I know, it's in their offices (i.e. not meeting for coffee). Suit or business casual?

The dressier side of business casual...unless it's Quinn, then the casual side of business casual. You basically should look like you work there, except you'll be better rested and slightly more polished than the associates.

So dress pants, dress shirt, cardigan, heels?

Assuming you're a woman, that works. Few big firms if any are progressive enough for transvestites.

I might go with a blouse and a pencil skirt, though. I've been told cardigans make women look too much like secretaries.

[Anonymous User]

Assuming you're a woman, that works. Few big firms if any are progressive enough for transvestites.

I might go with a blouse and a pencil skirt, though. I've been told cardigans make women look too much like secretaries.

Ha! Wouldn't that make an impression?!

Thanks for the advice. I feel like men have it so much easier.

[rinkrat19]

Assuming you're a woman, that works. Few big firms if any are progressive enough for transvestites.

I might go with a blouse and a pencil skirt, though. I've been told cardigans make women look too much like secretaries.

Ha! Wouldn't that make an impression?!

Thanks for the advice. I feel like men have it so much easier.

Easier, but much less fun. And men have a harder time with slight variations up or down in dressiness. Women can really fine-tune it.