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Meal Interviews Do's and Don'ts

You may find yourself on a breakfast, lunch, or dinner interview (or "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 do's and don'ts:

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
• order light; you are there to interview--eating is only the sideline
• 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
• thank your host for the meal
  

Don't:

• bring your briefcase; your portfolio is plenty
• open your menu until your host has
• become lax in your presentation style; it is still an interview
• drink alcohol, even if your host offers
• be indecisive in ordering--make 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