Interviews over Lunch
Manners Matter
In some careers, organizations like to meet their potential employees in a “less formal setting.” Before deciding whether to hire them, the leader will generally conduct themselves with the belief that they want to “really get to know” you without the formality of the in-office interview.
If this happens to you, I want to remind you of the obvious—there is nothing informal about an interview. Everything that you do and say is used to evaluate and assess you.
If the restaurant is not one that you are familiar with, consider traveling their in advance of the interview in order to insure that you know how to get there. Carry the phone number with you, call and ask that a message be conveyed to your host(ess) if you’ll be late. Often you can look at a menu on the restaurant’s website so that you can be familiar with it.
Arrive five minutes before your reservation in order to take a few minutes to primp (yes, guys, check the mirror in the men’s room for surprises) and to get your focus on your objective for the meeting—winning the interview by creating a favorable impression.
You are under no obligation to drink, even if your host(ess) is doing so. What does it say about your new employer if you are hired based upon your ability to hold your liquor, rather than because of your experience and competence?
Some people suggest eating before lunch in order to insure that you do not have an enormous appetite. I find it far more important for you to be conscious of how your blood sugar levels cause you to act and manage your metabolism.
For example, most mornings I am up before 5:00 AM, have breakfast before leaving for work and eat lunch in the area of noon. If I am asked to meet someone for lunch at 1:30, I know that I will struggle with being focused on my client because a 1:30 reservation really means eating at 2:00 PM.
Would you be eating on-schedule, way early or way late for you? What foods cause you to be sluggish? To deliver a peak performance?
If lunch is at a steakhouse, do you really need to eat the two pound prime rib with salad with blue cheese dressing, an enormous baked potato and a huge dessert that will sit in your stomach like lead? Can you eat something a little lighter that will help you keep your concentration?
Manners should go without mention but I will mention it. When you answer a question, put your knife and fork down. Answer the question even if your food gets cold—or order something cold on gthe menu. What’s wrong with ordering a cold seafood plate for lunch? Cold poached salmon. Steak tartare? Skip the finger food like lobster, crab, spare ribs and concentrate on items that you can be well-mannered with.
Often, the real purpose of a lunch interview is to see what you will be like when you are away from the watchful gaze of the office. By conducting yourself professionally, you will maintain and probably enhance the good feelings about you that caused you to get the interview and help you win the job you want.
Jeff AltmanConcepts in Staffingjeffaltman@cisny.com© 2005 all rights reserved.Jeff Altman, Managing Director with Concepts in Staffing, a New York search firm, has successfully assisted many corporations identify leaders and staff in technology, accounting, finance, sales, marketing and other disciplines as employees or consultants since 1971. He is a certified leader of the ManKind Project, a not for profit organization that assists men with life issues, and a practicing psychotherapist.For additional job hunting or hiring tips, go to http://www.sayhi.to/JeffAltman While you’re there, sign up to receive a daily digest of jobs emailed to you as we learn of them.
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