Interviewing Over Lunch: Are You at Risk?

Sometimes a hiring process will include having lunch with the hiring manager. Despite anything said to the contrary (like "It'll just be an informal lunch so we can get to know each other."), this is a formal part of your interview!

This can be a very tricky situation.

Impressions made in a restaurant are just as important as those in an office or meeting room.

If you don't want an "eating mishap" to ruin your chances at a new job (or a promotion if you're dining with the boss), follow these tips:

1. Avoid ordering messy foods.

This includes long pasta, of course, but also anything with stringy cheese... you know, the kind that stretches up with your fork from the plate to your mouth.

Watch out for soup, anything with a sauce or other "drippable" ingredient. No matter how careful you are, you know an invisible hole can magically appear in your spoon and cause you to drip all over yourself!

Even a salad can be hazardous! Have you ever tried to spear a cherry tomato with your fork and squirted yourself, your neighbor, or watched the tomato go flying off your plate? Not impressive. Avoid cherry tomatoes.

2. Mind your manners.

First, let me say I am definitely NOT "Miss Manners." These are just common-sense tips, not something you'd learn at charm school. (So don't send me an email with the "proper" etiquette, OK?)

This may be considered old-fashioned and unnecessary by some (especially women's libbers, if there's still such a thing), but I think it's still a nice courtesy for a man to pull out a chair for a woman. Either sex can offer to take someone's coat and hang it up. In general, just be nice, thoughtful, and courteous.

Thank the servers.

If you're in a fancy place with 6 different forks, 3 knives and 2 spoons, don't freak out about which to use for what. In general, they're placed in the order in which the food that you use them with will be served... implement furthest from the plate being used first. So when the salad comes out first, grab the fork furthest from your plate. Or just watch what the big shot does and follow his/her example.

If your food comes out first, don't start scarfing it down while the other(s) wait for their food to arrive. If they're courteous, they'll invite you to go ahead before your food gets cold. Likewise, if someone else has been served and is waiting while your food is delayed, invite them to go ahead and eat.

Don't reach... ask someone to pass.

Don't use your bread to mop up sauce, soup, or anything else.

Don't slurp or burp. Ever. Yes, this may be acceptable in some countries as a way to show appreciation for good food, but if you're in the U.S., don't do it. Even if the big shot does.

3. Watch the cost.

It doesn't matter if you've been told, "Order anything you'd like, this is on me." Do not order the most expensive thing on the menu! Even if the big shot does.

4. Beer or wine?

Have you seen that commercial where several guys are at a restaurant with a big shot and he asks what they want to drink? They go around the table and all order a non-alcoholic drink except for the last guy, who orders a Sam Adams (beer). The big shot is "impressed" and orders the same.

Hah! Never fall for anything you see in a beer commercial!

Would you have a beer or glass of wine at the office? (You better say "No!") Despite the surroundings, food and drink, if this is a business function (and it certainly is if you're interviewing or discussing business with your boss), do NOT order alcohol! Even if the big shot does.

Remember, the bottom line is that it's not about the food or the drink -- it's about making a good impression!

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.Best-Interview-Strategies.com

---

Thank-You Notes: Your Thoughtfulness will be Rewarded

I get asked these questions over and over: "Should I... Read More

Dissatisfied With Your Job? Stop Believing The Myths!

If you are dissatisfied with your job, you are in... Read More

20 Questions That Helped Me Take A Leap Of Faith And Change Careers

When I was working more than 45 hours a week... Read More

Career in the Toilet?

Individuals not within their target career field may feel insecure,... Read More

Why One Word Answers are Bad News at Job Interviews

It takes a lot of time and effort to get... Read More

Resume Tune Up

Employers have fears, uncertainty and DOUBT (the FUD factor) over... Read More

How To Tap Into the Invisible Job Market

Is there a company in your area that you'd love... Read More

From Bumbling Bosses to Cranky Co-Workers ? How to Overcome What Makes You Hate Your Job

I'll be the first to admit that I hated my... Read More

Is Your Job Search Guided by the Controller or the Controllee?

I'll define what I mean by these terms. "The Controller"... Read More

Why Your CV/Resume is Not Generating The Interview Offers You Want

If your current CV or resume is not generating the... Read More

Job Search Blurts

I coined this word to draw attention to the nervous... Read More

Risk-taking - Get Your Feet Wet!

We often use the phrase, "Get Your Feet Wet" when... Read More

Continuing Professional Development

Continuing professional development (CPD) is promoted by the CIPD to... Read More

Why Choose A Professionally Written Resume?

Good question, considering that nowadays you can find many useful... Read More

Three Steps to Writing Your Own Resume

While most professionals hire a professional resume writer, some draft... Read More

Tips for Requesting a Raise

You probably think you deserve a raise. But does your... Read More

6 Steps to Re-inventing Your Career

Meaningful work honors the deepest part of your being. It... Read More

How To Stay Calm in Tryng Times

That's not you? Great! Bad habits are hard to break... Read More

9 Secrets to Career Success

Are you miserable at your job (or what you are... Read More

Fuzzy Headed Job Goals Lead to a Fuzzy Headed Life!

May I clarify in this article what I believe to... Read More

10 Steps to Getting the Most Out of Job Fairs

Many job seekers tend to overlook job fairs. They can... Read More

Is Job Loss Making You Sick?

Job loss affects most of us like any other loss... Read More

Job Interviews and The Secret of Selling Yourself

A very effective and persuasive tactic when selling something is... Read More

Master Responding to Selection Criteria and Win Your Next Job!

As a human resources specialist for many years, I've seen... Read More

Your Cover Letter MUST Ask This Question

Imagine receiving a letter from a salesman who wants to... Read More

The Last Minute Interview

Your breath catches in your throat - at last, an... Read More

How To Find Writing Work

Are you looking for new writing work? It can be... Read More

Medical Billing And Coding Profession

Medical billers and coders are in high demand among the... Read More

Great Salary Negotiation Tips

11 Commandments For Smart Negotiating1 - BE PREPARED. The... Read More

Unlimit Your Life!

Do you have a tendency to think in absolutes?Is everything... Read More

Do You Need A Mentor? And How Do You Find One?

Whether you're self-employed or you work for someone else, you're... Read More

Stop Whining and Ask For What You Want!

When you want something, the best way to get it... Read More

A Career in Image Consulting

You might have seen them while watching TV shows such... Read More