Interview Dining Etiquette <—click to listen!
4:14 minutes / 3.9 MB / MP3
Are you absolutely sure which fork to use and where to put your napkin when you get up from the table? Listen as we go over some of the tips and tricks to surviving and impressing on that all too important lunch or dinner interview.

Show Notes:

There may be a time during your job search where you will be invited to attend an interview lunch or dinner.  These types of interviews can be especially daunting because now you not only have to worry about impressing the employers with your witty personality and sell your skills and experience, but you also have to make sure you follow proper interview dining etiquette.

Everyone here in the CSPD wanted to make the last part as easy as possible for you.  This podcast will gie you all the little tips and tricks to make sure you can focus on the main reason you are there…to get the job!!!  This is also the most important lesson of this podcast, remember the main reason you are dining out during the interview is to engage in conversation with the employer and interviewers, not to eat.  You may not have a lot of time to actually eat, so it is a good idea to grab a small bite to eat beforehand so you are not in a rush to scarf down your food.

So you are asked to lunch by your #1 employer!  You are really excited to know this job would be perfect for you.  Arive 10 minutes or so early to the restaurant.  Make sure you have accurate information on where you will be meeting.  Wiat for the host, the employer, to sit down before you take your seat.  Wiat for everyone to be seated and immediately put your napkin in your lap.  Do not make a scene of this.  Your napkin should remain in your lap for the extent of the lunch, if you must leave the table or be excused, say “Please excuse me,” and place your napkin carefully on your seat.

Okay so you get the menu…WHAT TO ORDER!!!  Find something that is easy to eat…a chicken dish, fish, etc.  Stay away from finger foods, spaghetti, peas, or anything that you will have to chase around your plate.  When ordering please be courteous to the wait staff and always use your please and thankyous.  Do not order the most expensive or most cheap thing on the menu and never drink any alcohol even if the host has ordered it.

During your meal remember to focus on conversation and the real reason you are there.  NO matter where your interview takes place, it is still an interview.  Many employers want to see you in a more social setting to see how you conduct yourself, especially if you are interviewing for a job that requires a certain standard of conduct with clients and superiors.

Understand the basics of the setup of the table.  You will sit down at a place setting wtih drinks and plates all over.  It is important to remember that food is on your left and drinks on your right.  Start on the outside with your silverware and work your way in.  If you pick up the bread basket, offer to the person on your left, serve yourself, and pass to the person on the right.  When eating bread, break off a small bite sized piece and butter each.  Once everyone’s meal is served, wait for the host to begin eating or to let you know to begin and begin eating slowly and with care.  Hold your silverware with consideration.  Placing a used utensil on a table is considered rude so make sure to place them on your plate.  If a utensil drops, do not pick it up and put it on the table.  Leave it there.  If you drop your napkin, pick it up if it is within an arms reach, if not, leave it.

Also remember:

• Whoever invited you to the meal will pay.  You do not have to offer.  Just remember to thank them and obtain their business cards.  Also, followup with a thank you note like any other interview.
• Take very small bites of all of your food, so you can quickly finish and swallow and be able to speak.  Never speak with food in your mouth.
• If someone asks for the salt, pick up both the salt and pepper and place them on the table in front of the person who requested it, never hand it to them.  Also, wait until you taste your food to decide if you need extra seasoning.  Employers see someone who seasons immediately as presumptuous.

Dining etiquette can be critical to career and job search success, and on a side note will definitely help on the dating front as well! :)  Although you may be nervous, do your best to relax.  Maintain an assured posture through the meal, and yes, elbows off the table!

Tags: dining etiquette, interview

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 at 12:58 pm and is filed under Interview Tips, Jena Bandini, Job Search. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.