“Food, Glorious Food” and Other Challenges of Mealtime Interviews

Mealtime interviews pose a unique set of interviewing challenges, which are outlined
below:

1. Keep drinking to a minimum, or better yet, don’t drink at all.

2. Don’t order anything messy. It’s hard to concentrate on the interview when your
spaghetti is dribbling down your chin.

3. No smoking, please—even if you’re sitting in the smoking section of the restaurant.

4. Keep it simple. Never order too much food or choose the most expensive item on
the menu. It’s not your last meal and, as you’ve probably heard, there’s no such
thing as a free lunch.

5. Remember your company manners. No matter how comfortable you feel during the
interview, don’t shovel your food into your mouth, talk with your mouth full, or eat
with your hands (unless it’s finger food).

6. Keep the conversation friendly but professional. While you want to be likeable and
charming, you don’t want to turn on the conversational faucet by sharing too much
personal information.