As if preparing for that all-important job interview weren’t stressful enough, now you’ll be expected to perform in a professional manner while munching on a crispy chicken salad. How should you dress? What should you order? How will the conversation go? What about that presentation that you’ve spent days preparing? All good questions that we intend to address below.
Tip #1 – Know Where You’re Going
Once the meeting is set and you know the name of the restaurant, do a bit of research. Determine the best route to get there. Check out the parking situation – is it valet, self-parking in a lot or do you have to park 5 blocks away on the street? Check out the menu and be ready to order the right thing (see Tip #5). Is this a place where you can expect to conduct a quiet conversation or will you be yelling over the din of the lunch crowd?
Tip #2 – Dress for Success
Even if the restaurant features a casual dress code, you’ll want to wear interview-appropriate business attire. Understanding the culture of the company (e.g. a Wall Street investment bank in NYC vs. a start-up agency in San Francisco) should help guide you as to what is and is not appropriate. It is always better to err on the side of the more conservative look for a first interview, even if your host dresses down.
Tip #3 – Decide What to Bring
If this interview were taking place in a conference room, you had planned to bring an iPad-based presentation but is that still appropriate in a restaurant setting? While you certainly don’t want to break out your 17” laptop at the table for two, we believe that it is acceptable to bring a tablet with brief presentation pre-loaded and ready to go. If the opportunity presents itself and the use of tech makes sense, you’ll be ready. If not, keep it off the table but within secure reach. Additionally, you may want to bring hard copies of your summary CV – no more than one per interviewer, please.
Tip #4 – Plan to Arrive 15 Minutes Early
In planning your arrival, calculate driving time and any potential delays that might be foreseen by the most current weather forecast. Whatever the anticipated obstacles, always plan to arrive 15 minutes early. If the interviewers have yet to arrive, wait at the front of the restaurant rather than making your way around the tables or sitting at the bar.
Tip #5 – What to Order (and not)
- Order a meal that can be eaten with fork and knife – avoid foods like ribs or a sloppy burger that involve a more hands-on approach.
- Even if going with the recommended fork and knife, avoid dishes such as spaghetti that might end up on your shirt rather than in your mouth.
- Rather than super-sizing, go with a modest-sized meal. You’ll be doing a good deal of talking during lunch and don’t want to be left with half of your meal still sitting on the plate when all is said and done.
- Do not request a doggy bag for any leftovers. Just don’t.
- Do not order an alcoholic beverage, even if the interviewer sets the pace by doing so himself or herself. Doing so is not only a borderline behavior for an interviewee but may also impair your performance. If you land the gig, you’ll have plenty of time to booze it up with your new buddies.
- Try your best to avoid speaking with your mouth full of food and generally mind your manners. Seriously, what would your mother say?
Tip #6 – Be Courteous to Your Host and the Wait Staff
It’s a no-brainer that you’ll want to treat the interviewer(s) hosting your lunch meeting with respect, but extending that behavior to the wait staff always scores points. Even if a mistake is made with your order, don’t bad mouth the wait staff to the interviewer. He or she will wonder if you’ll do the same to co-workers in the office. Take this opportunity to highlight your engaging personality, ability to interact with others and professional demeanor.
Tip #7 – The Bill and Next Steps
It may be in your nature to grab for the bill, but doing so in this case isn’t appropriate. The company has invited you to lunch and will pick up the tab. As things are wrapping-up, be sure to thank your hosts for the great lunch and inquire as to next steps.
Enjoy your lunch and best of luck with your upcoming interview. You’ll do great!
