Host Coffee Chats & Office Hours
Why?
Engage with students in a casual, 1:1 or small group format. These conversations can lead to meaningful connections and allow students to learn more about your organization, receive feedback on their resume, ask about your application process, and practice for interviews (note: these sessions are not intended to serve as interviews.)
Events must be requested via Crimson Careers
- Navigate to Events > My Events > Request Event
- Event Type: Coffee Chats / Office Hours
- RSVP Mode: Chats/Office Hours
- We recommend scheduling 2-3 hours total, during which students may reserve a 15-30 minute time slot.
Scheduling Coffee Chats & Office Hours
All requests for coffee chats/office hours must be submitted via the registration form and confirmed by the Recruiting team. You will receive a confirmation email when your request has been approved.
If you’re looking to host invite-only Coffee Chats/Office Hours through a resume review process or interviews, please review our “Preselect to Alternate” information using out Recruiting > “Recruiting Schedules” option within Crimson Careers.
Events should be requested via Crimson Careers by navigating to Events > My Events > Request Event … (Event Type: Coffee Chats / Office Hours)
- Timing: We recommend scheduling 2-3 hours total, during which students may reserve a 15-30 minute time slot.
- Location: “Virtual” or select an in-person location. See below list of recommended venues in Harvard Square.
- Harvard Campus spaces are is available, room reservation fee may apply. Please contact our office for more information.
- Event Type: Coffee Chats/Office Hours
- RSVP Mode: Chats/Office Hours
Event Promotion Fee: $200
- There is no fee for…
- nonprofit or government organizations.
- virtual for-profit events taking place after February 20, 2026 for the Spring semester.
- Additional fees may apply, see reserving a “Harvard Campus Space”
What does this fee cover?
- The $200 fee includes use of the RSVP/scheduling tool in Crimson Careers as well as event promotion. Our team promotes the event in Crimson Careers, on our web calendar, and over our email lists. Additionally, employers who choose to advertise a coffee chat will also receive a Featured Posting (usually $200) and access to the Recruiting Resume Book, an opt-in resume book for students.
Recommended Venues in Harvard Square
Employer recruiting events are not permitted in classroom space. Employers are also welcome to host virtual events and should create a virtual contingency plan for all in-person engagements.
Harvard Square: Eat & Drink
Check out these places to eat and drink around Harvard Square for possible locations.
We recommend the below cafés in Harvard Square as venues:
- Henrietta’s Table (1 Bennett St) – htpdr@charleshotel.com (617.661.5005)
- Tatte (1288 Massachusetts Ave) – 617.714.4956
- Blue Bottle Coffee (40 Bow St) – 510.661.3510
- Peet’s Coffee & Tea (100 Mt Auburn St) – 617.492.1844
- Capital One Café (24 John F. Kennedy St) – 617.299.2669; Note: Distribution of swag/flyers not permitted inside the cafe.
- Swissbakers (168 Western Ave, near the Science & Engineering Complex) – 617.903.3113
Employer recruiting events are not permitted in classroom space.
- Smith Campus Center: Moise Y. Safra Welcome Pavilion (1st or 2nd floor)
- Food + Beverage Vendors: (Blackbird Doughnuts + Sally’s Sandwiches, Mother Juice, Pavement Coffeehouse)
- Seating is first come, first serve (advance reservations not available)
- Appropriate for 1-2 representatives. If bringing 2+ representatives, please inquire about other space options like our Interview Facility at the Harvard SOCH.
- Harvard Interview Facility at the Harvard SOCH 59 Shepard Street
- $200/room fee applies – Contact our office for reservation inquiries
- Harvard Career Center (MCS), 54 Dunster Street
- $200/room fee applies – Contact our office for reservation inquiries
