How To Handle Lunch (or Dinner) Interviews

Sure, it doesn’t happen all that often but when an invitation to an interview over food or drinks comes up, you need to be prepared. It’s easy to make a positive impression, just follow these simple guidelines:

Etiquette:

It should be common sense, but it is worth repeating just in case. Use your manners!
This means:

• Put your napkin in your lap.
  
• Don’t order the most expensive item on the menu. Likewise, it’s a very good idea to avoid ordering messy or sticky finger food, greasy food, or stringy food like pasta. These provide just too many opportunities to embarrass yourself.
  
• Eat slowly, and chew your food. If you are asked a question when you have food in your mouth, signal the need for a moment to finish chewing before you speak.
  
• Hold your fork correctly, not like you are gripping a shovel.
  
• Don’t speak with food in your mouth.
  
• Don’t reach over other people’s plates.
  
• Say please, and thank you.
  
• Be sure to split your focus – make eye contact, and don’t just look at your plate.
  
• Don’t complain about your food or send it back.
  
• Turn down, and/or don’t request any alcohol with your meal.
  
• Be polite to the wait staff.
  
• Don’t put all your attention on your food or eat like you have never been fed before. You are on display and should demonstrate more interest in the interview and the interviewer(s) than the food.
  
• Finally, don’t ask for a doggy bag. Yes, I realize there are two sides to this. Taking food home displays a cost conscious attitude, but it is typically considered a no-no.

Attire:

Dress as you would for any other professional interview. If you are meeting at a restaurant, you should be able to easily find out the typical attire there. Keep in mind that a casual company with a casual dress code going to a restaurant might mean that you need to step it up a notch.

The Bill:

If the bill is placed by your seat, simply ignore it. Sometimes the interviewer has this done on purpose to see how you will react. Don’t become flustered. He/she will eventually ask for the bill if he/she initiated the meeting.

Say Thank You:

Be positive, say thank you, and let the interviewer know you have appreciated both the interview and the meal.

Bottom Line:

By surviving the all-important social engagement of a professional and engaging discussion over a meal, you will move onto the next step in the interview process! Go get ‘em!

Source: Laura DeCarlo

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