Title: Is Asking a Female Coworker For Coffee To Learn More About Her Experience Weird?
I recently started at this firm and noticed that this girl who worked in a different division would always look/smile at me when I would walk by. She’s a few years older than me, but one time we both walked up to get coffee at the same time and I introduced myself to her and we had a brief chat on the way back to our desks.
I added her on LinkedIn, to find that she has some experience that is of real career interest to me. Additionally, I have a coffee chat with a private markets GP coming up, and I’m interested in picking her brain before heading into that because of her experience.
Since the day we met, I noticed that she stopped looking over/ smiling when I walk by. I’ve been thinking about asking her for coffee via LinkedIn, but I’m not sure whether that would be weird. Would it be better to ask in person the next time I see her or not at all?
Thanks in advance!
One response
It’s great that you are interested in learning from your coworker’s experience and seeking advice for your own career development. However, it’s important to approach the situation in a professional and respectful manner to avoid any misunderstandings or discomfort.
In this case, since you have already added her on LinkedIn and have had a brief chat with her before, it may not be too unusual to reach out to her for a coffee chat. However, given the change in her behavior towards you, it might be a good idea to proceed with caution.
One option could be to mention your interest in her experience and the private markets GP coffee chat during your next casual interaction in person. This can help gauge her response and interest in further discussing career-related topics over coffee. If she seems receptive, you could then proceed to suggest meeting for coffee to learn more about her experiences and insights.
Alternatively, if you feel more comfortable communicating through LinkedIn, you could send her a polite message expressing your interest in her career path and asking if she would be willing to meet for coffee to discuss it further. Just make sure to keep the tone of your message professional and respectful, and give her the option to decline if she is not interested.
Overall, the key is to approach the situation with sensitivity and respect for her boundaries. If she seems uninterested or uncomfortable, it’s best to respect her decision and not push for a coffee chat. Good luck!