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