Lunch Interview Tips Seattle WA

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Remember mom's rules. The quickest way to turn off a potential employer is to appall him with your table manners. You probably slack off a bit when you're at home, so in the meals leading up to the big interview, go back to the basics. Sit up straight, no elbows on the table, put your napkin in your lap, use the proper utensils, etc. And for heaven's sake, don't talk with your mouth full. If you have real concerns about your table manners, ask a good friend to dine with you and give you honest feedback. Choose your food (and drink) wisely. The number one rule of thumb? No alcohol. Even in the unlikely event that your interviewer makes it a martini lunch, stick with water, tea, coffee, or lemonade. Skip the soda and seltzer because belching isn't exactly professional. When it comes to food, picking the "right" entrée is as tricky as a first-date meal selection. You don't want to go too cheap -- a salad says that you aren't comfortable -- but you also want to stay away from the priciest item on the menu. Because you're the guest, you'll probably order first, so you may not be able to depend on the interviewer to set the tone. The best choice is to stick to something middle-of-the-road but easy to eat. Go easy on messy pastas, sauce-covered ribs, or anything that will have a strong aroma.

Juggle food and conversation wisely. The trickiest element of a lunch interview is the balancing act between eating and talking. You're likely nervous and may be tempted to simply pick at your food, but you want to come across as confident, and that doesn't happen when you're pushing chicken around on your plate. The solution is to take small bites so you're not stuck with 30 seconds of chew time just as you're asked a question. It's also wise to avoid shoveling your food in just to get it over with -- that's just begging for hard-to-hide digestive problems. ...

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Author: Jason Kay

Career Management Resources

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