5 Easy Ways To Screw Up A Coffee

We learn from our mistakes. Hopefully. And from others’ experiences.

When it comes to any job search in Congress, the most important learning opportunity is the face-to-face informal coffee. Some folks call this the informational interview. It's a mini-interview disguised as a learning opportunity that provides the best access you will ever have in your life. To them, it's nothing more than a coffee and a moment of rest in a busy workday. To you, it's the chance to foster a new relationship and gather as much wisdom as possible.

Coffees are easy to navigate but also easy to screw up. If you are simply going through the motions, stop doing coffees. You are messing up key opportunities for others. When these coffees lose their value, staffers will stop doing them. When that happens we are in trouble. Here are a few major pitfalls to avoid:

1.) Dressing like a slob

It's hard for many college professors to critique their customers. When you wear sandals in class who are you to judge? This holds true in Congress as well. The attire in August can be dastardly. The attire in February can be embarrassing. If you want to look cool, look cool at the 9:30 Club. If you want to look serious, it starts with a jacket. Your decisions say a lot about your overall judgment. Candidates lose job offers because they disrespect the interview. You don't go to an interview in a golf shirt because your Chief wears a golf shirt. Not smart. Not effective. If your office makes fun of you every single day for being the only intern wearing a suit, you keep wearing that suit. When the office starts to cut you a check, you can dress like they do.

2.) Being late

We will stop talking about this the day it stops happening. Otherwise brilliant candidates show up 10 minutes late and then spend 5 minutes getting coffee. Who needs a job here? The other guy is golden. You need time with them. They don't need time with you. Get your coffee and be ready to go at 3:55 PM. If he is late, no problem. Your side of the street is clean. You simply do not get there at 4:00 PM and then stand in line like a fool. You get there early and have everything in order. More than 99.999% of Americans will never have this opportunity.

3.) Showing up unprepared

You have LinkedIn, Google, Twitter, Wiki, LegiStorm, Politico and Facebook at your disposal, yet you still don't even have the most basic info on the person you are meeting. Where did they go to college? How many years do they have on the Hill? Which Members have they served? Did they ever work in the other chamber? Don't be creepy. You don't need to bring up recent marriages or babies. If they mention a recent wedding great. If they mention a new baby you can be congratulatory. Never ask a question that you can find on Google. You are wasting valuable time.

4.) Not knowing what you want

If you don't have a clue what you want, how can they help you get it? You don't need to know everything (House vs. Senate, Immigration vs. Tax, Policy vs. Press) but you need to know specifically that you are 100% committed to service on the Hill. Otherwise it won't happen. The competition is too great among too many smart kids from schools all over the country. Get all in or get all out. There is no halfway. Anybody who just magically "fell into an amazing job in Congress" doesn't know that somebody else did it for them. You need to want this thing and you need to work for it. Thankfully, most candidates are not willing to do the work. There are very few Olympians for a reason.

5.) Never following up

It is not a Chief’s job to keep track of you. Never in an email say to anyone, "I have not heard from you." You, my special snowflake, are not a Chief's responsibility. A Chief works for a Member of Congress and at least 700,000 constituents. It's your job to keep in touch with them. They have no obligation to keep tabs on you.

Send a polite note every other week and include a little update on your progress.

Dear Chief Roberts,

I can't thank you enough for your guidance over coffee last week. You are incredibly generous with your time. I just wanted to let you know that I attended two hearings this week and drafted several memos on tax and immigration policy. I also had my very first crack at a constituent letter with the guidance of our Legislative Correspondent. Thanks again!

Sincerely,

Michael

That's the friendly touch a Chief likes to see. "I have not heard from you?" Take a hike. It's critical that you are engaged in the process and respectful of the people you meet. If you are not respectful, they have no reason to help you.

Conclusion

So there you go! Five little tips for your next Hill coffee. You can do it your way, or you can meet as many incredibly successful staffers as you like. It's up to you.

As always, we are here to help. Your career is arguably one of the most important investments you will ever make. The footwork now pays enormous dividends later. The time to plant an apple tree was 20 years ago. If that didn't happen, today is better than tomorrow.