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For many, interviewing over a meal sounds like a
professional and digestive catastrophe in the
making. If you have difficulty chewing gum while
walking, this could be a challenge. With some
preparation and psychological readjustment, you can
enjoy the process. Meals often have a cementing
social effect-breaking bread together tends to
facilitate deals, marriages, friendships, and
religious communion. Mealtime interviews rely on
this logic, and expand it.
Particularly when your job requires interpersonal
acuity, companies want to know what you are like in
a social setting. Are you relaxed and charming or
awkward and evasive? Companies want to observe not
only how you handle a fork, but also how you treat
your host, any other guests, and the serving staff.
Some basic social tips help ease the complexity of
mixing food with business:
- Take cues from your interviewer, remembering
that you are the guest. Do not sit down until your
host does. Order something slightly less extravagant
than your interviewer. If he badly wants you to try
a particular dish, oblige him. If he recommends an
appetizer to you, he likely intends to order one
himself. Do not begin eating until he does. If he
orders coffee and dessert, do not leave him eating
alone.
- If your interviewer wants to talk business, do
so. If she and the other guests discuss their
upcoming travel plans or their families, do not
launch into business.
- Try to set aside dietary restrictions and
preferences. Remember, the interviewer is your host.
It is rude to be finicky unless you absolutely must.
If you must, be as tactful as you can. Avoid phrases
like: "I do not eat mammals," or "Shrimp makes my
eyes swell and water."
- Choose manageable food items, if possible. Avoid
barbeque ribs and spaghetti.
- Find a discrete way to check your teeth after
eating. Excuse yourself from the table for a moment.
- Practice eating and discussing something
important simultaneously.
- Thank your interviewer for the meal.
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