Meal Interview Dos and Donts

You may find yourself attending a breakfast, lunch, or dinner interview (or an eating meeting) during your company-site visit. This is usually a good sign that you are under strong consideration. Following are some of the basic dos and donts:

Do:

• Wait for your host to gesture the seating arrangement
• Place your napkin in your lap as soon as you are seated
• Remember everything your Mom taught you about table manners, then put them to good use
• Order light; you are there to intervieweating is only the sideline distraction
• Know what you are ordering; avoid exotic items
• Chew and swallow before you speak; no airborne food particles, please
• Be polite to waiters and waitresses, but not chatty
• Keep your elbows off the table (your mother was right!)
• Thank your host for the meal

Dont:

• Bring your briefcase; your writing portfolio is plenty
• Open your menu until your host has done so first
• Become lax in your presentation style; it is still an interview
• Drink alcohol, even if your host offers
• Be indecisive in orderingmake a decision and stick with it
• Begin eating until everyone is served
• Attempt to pay the bill or split the cost; it will be covered by your host
• Smoke, even if your host does
• Criticize the meal or the restaurant
• Order a doggy bag