10 Tips to Master a Lunch Interview

Career Help Center

You Too Can Master Your Lunch Interview

Here you are being judged on more than your resume at a business lunch interview. Even the meal you choose can speak for you in this setting; you want it to say, “I know what I'm doing.” So follow these tips to increase your chances of success and to improve your chances of getting hired.

1. Find out which restaurant you will be visiting in advance and check over the menu so that you come prepared already knowing what you are going to order. You don't want to waste time worrying about choosing when you're there.
2. Dress as professionally as you would for a normal interview.
3. Arrive early and check to see if your interviewer has already arrived. If not, wait in the lobby in a place where they will be able to see you easily. Never wait in the bar that type of setting is unprofessional.
4. Drink Order: Avoid alcoholic beverages and stick to something simple like water or iced tea. Never drink using a straw or directly from the bottle.
5. Meal Order: Neither order the most expensive nor the least expensive dish on the menu. It would be best if you stayed away from large portions, stinky, or loud foods. All these characteristics will be a distraction to the interview process. Here is a list of the top foods to avoid:
   Long pasta like spaghetti, ribs, crab or lobster, messy sandwiches, and any finger foods.
6. Eating: Do not eat too fast, and eat as quietly as possible, obviously you should chew with your mouth closed. Steer clear of dipping the bread in your meal or dragging the fork along the plate. You might be nervous, but try to eat at least half of your meal and never take leftovers of food home with you. The goal here is to try to eat without drawing attention to your eating activities. You are not there to gain sustenance, but to speak with the employer. We are not saying you shouldn't eat, that would be odd, but keep your focus where it belongs.
7. Sit up straight and try to take small bites to avoid awkward pauses between questions, but do let some time pass because you can use it to think of the answers to the questions.
8. Only order a dessert if your interviewer does. You don't know if they have other plans after this and ordering a dessert will delay them.
9. Neatly fold your napkin and place it next to your plate when you are finished.
10. Let the interviewer pay because they invited you, but ALWAYS thank them! It is important to show them that you are courteous and polite.

Now you know the proper way to conduct yourself at lunch interviews. Use these ten tips to master the lunch interview and do that! We have much more information about getting a job. You may also want to view our other job interview tips.