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Goldman Sachs Coffee Chat: Questions & Email Template

A useful Goldman Sachs coffee chat starts with a specific business interest, not a request to get your resume noticed. Prepare a short introduction and two or three questions you genuinely want answered.

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Free to copy. No signup. Independent guide, not affiliated with Goldman Sachs.

NextCoffee editorial team · Reviewed October 6, 2026

A request you can make your own

An illustrative draft, not an actual email or a promise of a reply. Replace every bracket and remove any sentence that is not true for you.

  • This version is for an event you genuinely attended. For cold outreach, use a subject such as '[School] student exploring [division]' and introduce your interest without mentioning an event.
  • A focused question about their experience is more useful than a paragraph praising the firm's reputation.
  • Do not ask for a referral, confidential work product or an application-status check in this first learning request.
Coffee chat request

Subject: Thank you for the [event name] discussion

Hi [First name], Thank you for sharing your perspective at [event you attended]. Your point about [specific discussion topic] made me want to learn more about the work in [division or group]. I'm a [year] student at [School]. In [a real project or experience], I've been learning about [relevant topic], and I'd appreciate hearing how you developed that understanding on the job. Would you have 15 minutes for a brief call in the next two weeks? I understand if your schedule is full. Best, [Your name]

Before you reach out

01

Get the division and role right

Start with the firm's business descriptions and the professional's current role. Someone in investment banking and someone in asset management may both work with companies but make very different decisions. Your question should fit their work.

02

Use an event detail only when it happened

If you attended a session, refer to a point the speaker actually made. Otherwise introduce yourself plainly. Goldman Sachs directs students to My GS Events for networking and information sessions; check each event's requirements rather than assuming a general invitation.

03

Prepare a learning goal, not a pitch

Write one sentence about what you are trying to understand: the work of an analyst, how a team develops expertise, or which preparation proved useful. Keep your own introduction short enough that the professional has time to answer.

Six questions for a Goldman Sachs coffee chat

Choose two or three, then listen. A useful follow-up to their answer is better than racing through the whole list. These are original preparation prompts, not official interview questions.

  1. 1

    What helped you choose this division rather than another part of finance?

    Useful when you are still comparing career paths. Ask what trade-off mattered to them.

  2. 2

    Which responsibility did you become comfortable with first, and which took longer?

    An analyst or associate can describe the learning curve without disclosing client details.

  3. 3

    How do you ask for feedback when you are new to the team?

    Explores how someone learns at work, rather than asking them to repeat a culture statement.

  4. 4

    What makes a junior person's research or analysis useful in your group?

    Listen for standards you can practice in your own projects, not material you can request from the firm.

  5. 5

    What did you change about your preparation after your first recruiting conversations?

    Invites a personal lesson. Do not present one person's answer as a current firm-wide interview policy.

  6. 6

    Is there a public resource you would recommend for understanding this work better?

    A low-pressure close that gives you a concrete next step without asking for special access.

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Follow up with something specific

When an initial note is unanswered, a brief same-thread reminder after about five business days can be appropriate. Keep it optional and stop if there is still no response. After a chat, distinguish a thank-you from a request for help: you can acknowledge the advice now and share a meaningful update later. Apply through the official process independently of whether a contact replies.

More follow-up examples

After the conversation

Subject: Thank you for the conversation

Hi [First name], Thank you for making time to speak with me. I especially appreciated your perspective on [specific topic]; it helped me understand [a concrete takeaway]. I'll follow through on [resource or preparation step we discussed]. Thank you again for sharing your experience. Best, [Your name]

Check programs and events with the firm

Official resources checked October 6, 2026. Program availability and eligibility can change. Networking does not replace an application or guarantee an interview.

Goldman Sachs application preparation

Official guidance on choosing a division, events and the application process.

Goldman Sachs student programs

Find the relevant program and confirm eligibility directly with the firm.

Turn strategy into conversations

Keep track of the conversation, not just the email.

Try NextCoffee's demo to see how reviewed outreach and follow-up reminders fit into your recruiting plan.

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