Lunch and Dinner Job Interview Etiquette Tips

Lunch and Dinner Job Interview Etiquette TipsLunch and Dinner Job Interview Etiquette TipsInterviews are often stressful - even for job seekers who have interviewed many times. Interviewing can be even more stressful when you are expected to eat and talk at the same time. One of the reasons employers take job candidates out to lunch or dinner is to evaluate their social skills and to see if they can handle themselves gracefully under pressure. Thats important for many roles, and particularly for positions that are client- or customer-facing. How to Handle Lunch and Dinner Interviews Dining with a prospective employee allows employers to review your communication andinterpersonal skills, as well as your table manners, in a more relaxed (for them) environment. Table manners do matter. Good manners may give you the edge over another candidate, so, take some time to brush up yourdining etiquette skills. Interview Dining Tips If youre feeling nervous, check out the restaurant ahea d of time or visit the restaurants website. That way youll know exactly whats on the menu, what you might want to order, and where the restrooms are located.Arrive early. You can ask the restaurants host if there is a reservation under the interviewers name. If not, wait outside the restaurant for your interviewer to arrive.Wear an interview-appropriate outfit (even if the restaurant is more casual than the company office).Turn off your cell phone or put it on silent. Resist the temptation to check it (even if others at the table are looking at their phones). During the meal, mind your manners. Say please and thank you to your server as well as your host. And, remember what your mother spent years telling you keep your elbows off the table, chew with your mouth closed, sit up straight, and never, ever speak with your mouth full.Is the table full of utensils? My British grandmother taught me an easy way to remember what to use when. Start at the outside and work your way in. Your sal ad fork will be on the far left, your entree fork will be next to it. Your dessert spoon and fork will be above your plate. Liquids are on the right, solids on the left. For example, your water glass will be on the right and your bread plate will be on the left.Put your napkin on your lap once everyone is seated. During the Meal Dont order messy food - pasta with lots of sauce, chicken with bones, ribs, big sandwiches, and whole lobsters are all dangerous.Keep conversationlight toward the start of the meal. You can ask interviewers if theyve been to the restaurant before, chat about the weather, or ask how their day has gone.Dont order the most expensive entree on the menu.When you do order your meal, make it something thats easy to cut into bite-size pieces. During the meal, take small bites, so that its easy to finish chewing and swallow before responding to questions and participating in the mealtime conversation. The polite way to eat soup is to spoon it away from you. There s less chance of spilling in your lap that way tooBreak your dinner roll into small pieces and eat it a piece at a time.If you need to leave the table, put your napkin on the seat or the arm of your chair.When youve finished eating, move your knife and fork to the four oclock position so the server knows youre done.Remember to try and relax, listen, and participate in the conversation. To Drink or Not to Drink Its wise not to drink alcohol during an interview. Interviewing is tough enough without adding alcohol to the mix. After the Meal Put your napkin on the table next to your plate.Let the prospective employer pick up the tab. The person who invited you will expect to pay both the bill and the tip.Remember to say thank you. Consider also following-up with athank you notenzeichenwhich reiterates your interest in the job. More Interview Tips Review these job interview etiquette tips for before, during, and and after a job interview, to ensure that yourjob interview etiq uetteis up to speed and youre making the best impression on the interviewer. Also brush up your interview skills, to make sure that youre a perfect candidate and dont inadvertently make any mistakes. Find outhow to interview,tips,what to wear, andwhat not to do during the interview.