A coffee chat is a conversation, not an interview — but a little structure makes it far more useful. Here’s a rough map for thirty minutes.
First few minutes: warm up. Thank them for the time, and start with something genuine and easy. You’re setting a relaxed tone, not launching into questions.
Next, give them a quick frame. One or two sentences on where you are and what you’re trying to figure out. This helps them tailor their answers instead of guessing what’s useful to you.
The middle is theirs. Ask open questions about their path, their team, and how the work actually happens day to day. Listen more than you talk. Follow the interesting threads instead of marching through a script — the best moments usually come from "wait, tell me more about that."
Good questions to keep in your back pocket: How did you end up in this role? What surprised you about it? What does a strong first year look like here? If you were me, what would you focus on right now?
Near the end, ask the relationship-building question: "Is there anyone else you’d suggest I talk to?" If it fits naturally, ask it — many of your best conversations will come from these referrals.
Close cleanly. Thank them, tell them one specific thing you found useful, and say you’ll follow up. Then actually do it.
Two things to avoid: don’t ask for a job (it changes the whole dynamic), and don’t run over the time you asked for. Ending on time, or a touch early, is its own kind of respect — and it makes the next conversation easier to get.