Sure, it doesn’t happen all that often, but...
When you receive an invitation to a job interview over food or drinks, take these steps to be well-prepared and successful.
Meeting a stranger at a strange location, outside of the work location, offers some definite challenges for you.
Be sure to gather information before the interview to enable you to be at the right location, at the right time, and find the other party.
Particularly if you haven't met the person who is interviewing you, finding a stranger in a large restaurant full of people can be a challenge, and can make the start of the interview very awkward.
Follow these suggestions to make it go as smoothly as possible.
When the meeting is being set up, in addition to the date and time, ask for these details:
Be sure you have the right restaurant by confirming the location.
If you aren't familiar with the restaurant, research it online so you know where it is located. Hopefully, it has a website, so you can check out the menu, and decide in advance what you will order (tips below).
If you don't know the person/people you will be meeting, check them out on LinkedIn, if possible, or Google them.
If you haven't met the people, look for photos (e.g. LinkedIn Profile) to make it easier to recognize them at the restaurant.
Look at other information about them, too, as part of your standard pre-interview preparation.
If you have enough notice, visit the restaurant before the day of the interview so you know how to get there and how long it will take you to get there. Do a bit of research (online or in real life) to learn about the menu and what might be the best items for you to order.
Observe the atmosphere and how the restaurant is organized:
Hopefully, you will be comfortable at the restaurant, not distracted by waitstaff in tiny uniforms or strolling singers seranading guests.
If you research in advance, you will hopefully be better able to cope with anything odd.
If you really don't think that you will be comfortable in the restaurant chosen, suggest a restaurant in a similar price range and food type in a location that is convenient for the interviewer.
Once you have arrived and connected with the interviewer, it's easy to make a positive impression, just follow these simple guidelines:
Arrive at least 10 minutes early, if possible.
Go to the pre-agreed meeting location.
Hopefully, you won't be the last person to arrive, but don't assume you are the first person. Look for the other party (or parties), or ask the host or hostess (if there is one) if the other person has arrived.
Use your best manners, of course.
This means:
In general, follow the lead of the interviewer and other people at the table, but don't do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
Dress as you would for any other professional interview.
Keep in mind that a casual company with a casual dress code going to a restaurant might mean that you need to step it up a notch.
If the bill is placed by your seat, simply ignore it. Sometimes the interviewer has this done on purpose to see how you will react. Don’t become flustered. He/she will eventually ask for the bill if he/she initiated the meeting.
Be positive. Shake hands, say thank you, and let the interviewer know you have appreciated both the interview and the meal.
As with any job interview, follow up with a written or emailed thank you, too.
By surviving the all-important social engagement of a professional and engaging discussion over a meal, you will move onto the next step in the interview process! Go get ‘em!
Laura DeCarlo is recognized as the career industry’s ‘career hero’ making a difference to both job seekers and career professionals as the founder of Career Directors International. She possesses 11 top-level certifications in resume writing, career coaching, and career management; 7 first place resume and job placement awards; and has written three books on interviewing and job search including Interview Pocket RX, Interviewing: The Gold Standard, Resumes for Dummies,and Job Search Bloopers. Follow Laura on Twitter at @careerhero.
More about this author...
|
We will never send spam or sell your information to anyone, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Read the Job-Hunt Privacy Policy for more information.
Find Jobs in all states
Jobs across the state - not available elsewhere on the Web. Only here.
CareerCast.com
Over 50? Want work?
Real employers who value your experience are looking for you here.
SeniorJobBank.org