25 Tips for Acing the Lunch Interview

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I would like to add: Learn how to place your eating utensils on the plate when you are finished. Line them up properly. Check out the etiquette books if you do not know what I am talking about.
People who do this correctly always notice those who do not. It is a sure sign of your upbringing.

Patricia Myers of FL 10:11AM October 06, 2010

I think the point here is not to set yourself up for a food reaction because you say nothing, the point is don't appear high maintenance. If you have an alergy, check that menu ahead of time (call), know what you can order beforehand and then -- at the lunch you can play it cool without drawing attention.
This goes back to that interview comment about "I," don't draw attention to your needs and personal issues-- you are being evaluated for your "team player" qualities. This is not about "I" it is about the employer.

S of WA 4:13PM May 14, 2010

What? I think this is a serious mistake. You NEED to let the server know if you have food allergies. I don't care how bad it looks to the interviewer. I personally don't have allergies, but if I did, I'd rather let my server know instead of ending up in a hospital or worse, dead.

Mags of WI 3:07PM May 14, 2010

I'd also like to know what the problem is with drinking iced tea, for example, through a straw "especially if you're a woman". Does that somehow in some bizarre way reflect immaturity or something? Is this the still in a man's world thinking? What if all at the table are women? What if others drink iced tea out of a straw? Please clarify. Thanks much.

K. E. of WI 3:00PM May 14, 2010

Hi Karen,
Would you kindly explain a little bit more on number 8? Why not through a straw?
K

k of CA 2:59PM May 13, 2010

You may call your interviewer on arrival to let them know you are there if you get their cell phone number when you make the appointment-TURN OFF CELL PHONE during interview.

Caren of AZ 12:03PM May 13, 2010

I appreciate your collection of hints, and know that it is the truth that we are judged on our "cultural capital". Manners promote clear communication, they are not used to indicate submission. Communicating with a standard set of manners indicates cooperration and the acknowledgement of other individual's comfort level. We must acknowledge that other people are in the room. To the golf question. I personally would play to win though not brag along the way. Make statements like: That worked out the way I intended. I'm sure your employer wants to know that you want to make a-hole-in-one everytime.

kareenk of CA 11:45AM May 13, 2010

There are a couple things missing here:
1. Taste your food before adding salt & pepper (or other seasonings) -- especially if you like lots of salt.
2. Do not smoke (I assume that there are a few places where one can still smoke in a restaurant).

Mark of MD 11:36AM May 13, 2010

Since when does one dictate a potential employees usefulness if he/she uses bread to wipe a plate? I'm not talking sterilizing it but 90% of Europe does this and if your an American, well you probably have some of that blood and manners in you.

Angelo of MN 8:00AM May 13, 2010

It is amazing how intelligent people invent new ways every day to make life and working for a living become more torturous and difficult for the needy. To check the abilities of a future employee you do not require verification of his table manners. Rather you check his potential to save his employers money by performing well on the job. God knows how successful executives eat at home !!! What is also sad is that this screening is done under the banner of up-to-date civilization. Go ahead mask the sinking economy in ingenious ways... but beware of over-doing-it... because then you will employ only the slick table personalities qualified to do noyhing constructive.

Marcus of TN 11:08AM May 07, 2010