Coffee chats in California: who to meet and how
Where the opportunities are in California, and how to set up coffee chats that lead somewhere.
Where the jobs are in California
Most professional hiring in California clusters around San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose.
The state's strongest industries include technology, entertainment, venture capital and consumer goods, so those are natural places to focus your outreach.
How to find people to talk to in California
A few practical ways to build a list:
- Search LinkedIn by location for San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose plus your target industry.
- Look for alumni from your school who are now based in California.
- Join local professional groups and industry meetups in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose.
- Ask anyone you already know in California for one or two introductions.
In person or virtual
If you live in or can visit San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose, an in-person coffee is memorable and easy to build on. If not, a short video call works just as well to start. Either way, keep the first ask to 15 minutes.
Make each conversation count
Come prepared with a couple of specific questions, follow up within a day, and keep track of who you met so you can stay in touch as you focus your search on California.
Frequently asked questions
Focus on San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose, where most professional hiring happens, and on California's main industries (technology, entertainment, venture capital and consumer goods). Find people through LinkedIn by location, school alumni, and local groups, then ask for short coffee chats.
California's notable industries include technology, entertainment, venture capital and consumer goods, concentrated mainly around San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose.
A short video call is a perfectly good way to start. In person is easier to build on if you are local, but the quality of your questions and follow-up matter more than the format.
Related guides
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