Coffee chats in Texas: who to meet and how
Where the opportunities are in Texas, and how to set up coffee chats that lead somewhere.
Where the jobs are in Texas
Most professional hiring in Texas clusters around Dallas, Houston and Austin.
The state's strongest industries include energy, technology and healthcare, so those are natural places to focus your outreach.
How to find people to talk to in Texas
A few practical ways to build a list:
- Search LinkedIn by location for Dallas, Houston and Austin plus your target industry.
- Look for alumni from your school who are now based in Texas.
- Join local professional groups and industry meetups in Dallas, Houston and Austin.
- Ask anyone you already know in Texas for one or two introductions.
In person or virtual
If you live in or can visit Dallas, Houston and Austin, 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 Texas.
Frequently asked questions
Focus on Dallas, Houston and Austin, where most professional hiring happens, and on Texas's main industries (energy, technology and healthcare). Find people through LinkedIn by location, school alumni, and local groups, then ask for short coffee chats.
Texas's notable industries include energy, technology and healthcare, concentrated mainly around Dallas, Houston and Austin.
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.
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