Mind Your Manners: Interview Dining Best Practices

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Congratulations! You've just scored an interview with one of the top companies in your industry. You'll be meeting with the CEO and the COO, the very two executives you will be assisting if you get the job. No problem, right? You've interviewed before, you've got all your answers mapped out, planned your cute jokes and you know your resume inside and out. Now, all that is left to prepare for is the dinner....

That's right, I said dinner. For some reason, coupling an interview with a meal makes potential employees shiver in fear. While some feel that they have all the right moves for interviewing in the office, armed with their resume and confidence, put them at a table with a glass of water, a couple of forks and spoons, and they act like they've been raised by wolves (don't worry, it's just an exaggeration).  

Before you freak out, there are a few tips that will help you ease the nerves and conduct yourself appropriately to land the job:

Pre-meal

First thing is first. The same rules of any other interview apply here, plus a few more.

Before you step foot in the restaurant, turn your cell phone off. You wouldn't walk into an interview in an office and allow your phone to interrupt, so you shouldn't here either.

Arrive early. This doesn't mean ‘don't be late;' it literally means get there early. Ask the host, hostess or (if you're really lucky) the maître d, if they have a reservation under the names of the people you're interviewing with. You'll want to do this in order to exude confidence. Many people will instinctively just wait in the lobby until they see a recognizable face. You don't want to seem meek.

Do not order anything before they get there. Always wait for your entire party to arrive before ordering so much as a soda. There should be water on the table, so sip on that until they show.

A brief tutorial on the utensils:

If you are unsure as to which utensil to use for a certain part of the meal, start at the left and work your way in for different courses.

If you've been seated at the table before your interviewers arrive, rise to greet them when they do. A simple handshake will suffice, but you don't want to be seated when you do it. Once everyone has taken their seat, place your napkin in your lap and keep your elbows off the table.

Be polite. You'll want to be on your best behavior during this interview, not only to your interviewers but to your server as well. Never send anything back or complain during the meal. You don't want to seem difficult to get along with.

Careful what you order. It's important to order interview-friendly food. Baby back ribs are probably not a great choice as you don't want an ear to ear smile of barbeque sauce. It's also important that you don't order the most expensive thing on the menu either. Plan to eat something easy. This meal should be one that can be cut up into small pieces and shouldn't require a lot of chewing, so that you may quickly swallow in order to answer questions.

Chow Time

Ok, so your meal has arrived and you're ready to dig in. That's fine, get started on your meal but don't expect to eat that much. Your interviewers will probably have tons of questions throughout the meal, so be prepared.

Don't talk with your mouth full. I know it seems difficult considering you don't want to ignore those speaking to you, but luckily, body language sometimes says more than words. Give them a sign that you will gladly answer their questions or reply to something they've said as soon as you finish your bite.

All Done

After the meal is over, indicate that you are finished by placing your fork and knife at 4 o'clock on your plate and lay your napkin in your seat when you get up.

Don't try to pick up the tab as those who invited you will do so. They will also pay the tip.

Be sure to say thank you and get their business cards for follow up.

Send a thank you card within the next few days after the interview to show you're still interested and appreciated their time.

If you've landed an interview over a meal, consider yourself lucky. Executives tend to be more relaxed out of the office. This could be of great benefit to you. Be sure to use every appropriate opportunity to sell yourself, but also feel free to ask questions and be yourself. Just as you want to know that the company is interested in you, they want to know you're interested in the company. Above all, come prepared to talk rather than eat. While this type of interview implies that a meal will be involved, it's doubtful that you'll leave feeling full. It's much more important that you convey how perfect you are for the job rather than how perfect the steak is.

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