Questions to Ask a Recruiter During a Coffee Chat (That Actually Move You Forward)
A coffee chat with a recruiter is not a job interview — and treating it like one is the fastest way to waste the conversation. These informal, 20-to-30-minute calls are one of the most underused tools in a job search. They exist so recruiters can learn who you are before your résumé is screened, and so you can learn things about a company that never appear in a job posting. The questions you ask a recruiter during a coffee chat determine whether you leave with useful intelligence, a genuine connection, and a reason for the recruiter to remember your name — or whether the call ends with a polite thanks and nothing more.