Coffee chats
Find a shepherd, book a chat in three steps and make the most of it.
Before you book
- What a coffee chat is (and isn't)A short, informal conversation with someone a step or two ahead of you, and what to expect from it.
- Finding the right shepherdSearch by name, role or company, filter by organisation, industry and location, and switch between the gallery and the map.
- Reading a shepherd's profileWhat a shepherd's profile tells you: their banner and actions, what they can help with, where they've worked, their rating and their public booking page.
- Coffee chat topicsThe topics you can pick when you book, and why some shepherds list topics of their own.
Booking
- Booking a chat in 3 stepsPick a time, say what you'd like to talk about and share some context. Here's each step of a coffee chat request, and what happens next.
- Writing a request shepherds say yes toOne clear topic, two or three specific questions and a line about where you are now. Here's how to write a request that gets a yes.
- Sharing your CV, growth plan, career ladder or LinkedInChoose what a shepherd sees with your request, add anything that's missing without losing your booking, and how a shared CV opens.
- Booking from a shepherd's page without an accountStart a booking from a shepherd's link, create your free account at the last step, and send it when you're ready.
- How many coffee chats you can bookHow many chats each plan includes, what a request costs in KoffeePoints and which requests don't count.
- Got a meeting link from a shepherd?Open it, sign in and confirm: an instant call starts straight away, and a one-off time is booked for you. It's free.
After you send
- What your chat status meansRequested, Confirmed, Completed, Declined and the rest: what each status under Your coffee chats means and what to do next.
- Finding and sorting your coffee chatsSearch, sort and filter the chats under Your coffee chats to find the one you're looking for.
- Changing the time or withdrawing a requestHow to withdraw a request and pick a new time, and what to do once a chat is already confirmed.
- Joining the callWhere to find your meeting link once a shepherd accepts, and what to do if it's missing or you're running late.
- Audio calls on KoffeeChatJoin your coffee chat as an audio call right here, what you need, and how to let your microphone in on iPhone, Android or a computer.
- Recording and summariesRecord a call on KoffeeChat only if you both agree, then play it back, download it and read an AI summary with next steps.
- Rating your chatAfter your chat, rate your shepherd in under a minute. Ratings are anonymous and shared in groups.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book a coffee chat?
Go to Coffee Chats, press Book chat ☕ on a shepherd's card and follow three steps: pick a time, choose a topic and say what you'd like to discuss, then share any context and press Request coffee chat.
How long does a shepherd take to reply?
Shepherds are volunteers, so it varies. We email you as soon as they answer. If the time you picked passes without an answer, the request shows as Not confirmed under Your coffee chats.
Can I change the time of my chat?
While it's still a request, open the shepherd's profile from their card, press Book a coffee chat ☕, choose Withdraw request and pick a new time. Once it's confirmed, message your shepherd to agree a new time.
Can I cancel a chat that's already confirmed?
Not in the app. Message your shepherd as early as you can from Messages to let them know, and agree a new time together if you'd still like to meet.
What happens if a shepherd declines?
We email you to let you know, and the chat shows as Declined under Your coffee chats. A declined request doesn't count towards your plan's coffee chats, so you can book someone else. If a shepherd can't make a chat they'd confirmed, we tell you in the app and by email, and it shows as Declined too.
How many coffee chats can I book?
Free: 2 in total. Plus: 4 a month. Pro: 8 a month. Each request also uses 1 KoffeePoint. Declined and withdrawn requests don't count.
Why is there a minimum length for my request?
A few specific words help your shepherd prepare, and make the chat worth it for you both. Your request needs at least 30 characters: a sentence or two is plenty.
What does a shepherd see when I book?
Your name and photo, the time, your topic and what you wrote, plus anything you tick in step 3: your CV, Growth Plan, Career Ladder or LinkedIn. They see your request even if you've hidden your profile from the Talents list.
Do I need an account to book?
You need one to send a request, but not to start. From a shepherd's booking page you can pick a time and write your questions first, then create your free account at the last step. Nothing is sent until you press the button.
Read more: Booking from a shepherd's page without an account
Where do I find the meeting link?
When your shepherd accepts, we email you a calendar invite with their meeting link. If the link is missing, send them a message from Messages. If your shepherd is trying audio calls on KoffeeChat, press Join call on the chat instead: their link is the backup.
Why can't the call use my microphone?
Your browser is blocking it. On iPhone, tap aA in Safari's address bar, then Website Settings, and set Microphone to Allow. On Android, tap the icon to the left of the address, then Permissions. If you opened the link from WhatsApp, LinkedIn or Instagram, open it in Safari or Chrome instead.
What if my shepherd doesn't turn up?
Send them a message first: plans sometimes slip. If it keeps happening, choose Report a problem in your account menu, pick Coffee chats & bookings and we'll look into it.
Does a shepherd's meeting link use a KoffeePoint?
No. A chat from a shepherd's instant call or one-off link is free, and it doesn't count towards your plan's coffee chats.