vampyre__'s journey

I have a chat scheduled with someone from the team I applied to, and I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. I'm really interested in this position, and I hope this conversation can help me stand out as a candidate. I want to make sure I approach it the right way, especially since I'm hoping for a referral. I've been searching for advice on what to ask, but most suggestions seem too generic, like typical coffee chat questions about hobbies or career paths. This isn't just a casual chat for me; there's a specific job opening I'm aiming for, and I want to make the most of this opportunity. I want to ask questions that will give me insights into the team dynamics and the role itself, while also sharing my background in a way that feels natural and not overly self-promotional. I'm looking for guidance on how to frame my experience without it coming off as just a pitch. Additionally, I need advice on how to bring up the possibility of a referral at the end of our conversation without making it feel transactional. If anyone has been in a similar position, I’d love to hear what questions you found effective or how you navigated these conversations.