Coffees are a huge part of networking on Capitol Hill. You want to meet someone new? Get coffee. You want someone to help you apply for a new job? Get coffee.Don’t be afraid to ask someone to grab a cup of joe with you to benefit your career. But, if you’re the initiator, here are some dos and don’ts.DoBe flexible with timing and if the meeting is canceled, reschedule. Once you get there, offer to buy.Do research, come prepared, and have questions. Know what you personally want from the meeting and research the individual you’re meeting with. People on the Hill are very busy, so have a specific reason you want to meet and let it be known.Follow up with a note, even if it’s just an email, thanking them for their time. Don’tShow disinterest — by not taking notes or simply not being focused and making the other person drive the conversation.Be late — a lot of staffers consider this the worst thing you can do.Take up too much time — you need to know when to end the conversation and how much time to allot for. A tight coffee is 20 minutes and a long one is an hour, so aim for a half-hour to 40 minutes.