You get a call from a recruiter asking to meet you over lunch. You think that it's a great idea because it's probably not as formal. Well, think again. No matter what type of format your interview is in, you are being judged. Henry Ford used to interview people over dinner. If someone would use salt prior to tasting one's food, he would ascertain that potential employee was prejudging their food before tasting it, hence, making hasty decisions in business. If salt was poured, a job offer wasn't given.
Fast forward, 50 years later in 1997 at my first job in HR as a Recruiting Assistant. My old boss shared with me an anecdote from the 80's when he worked at a prestigious bank in NYC prior to being my boss at an entertainment and financial services executive search firm. He told me he went out to lunch when he just was hired with his boss and team. Now mind you, it was the 80's when Gordon Gekko-types were screaming "Greed is good" like every two seconds and expense accounts were handed out like Twitter accounts. So, my old boss ordered lobster and didn't think anything of it. Six months later during his first performance review, he was told that he had a lot of hubris ordering the most expensive item on the menu when he was first hired and that choice didn't show teamwork acting like a big shot. I was speechless because this boss was a great mentor, kind person and had integrity. This was a great parable for us mere mortals who think eating with their managers and on an interview is no big deal. It is a big deal as we are being watched.
I made the mistake during an interview of eating pasta and hence turning my white shirt light pink while interviewing for a recruiter job at Elizabeth Arden. As much as they deal with lipsticks in several shades of pink, my messy stunt didn't evoke any laughter from the hiring manager. Obviously, I didn't get the job.
So, order a sandwich or soup on your next interview over a meal not pasta or lobster, ok? I know it's so Emily Post, but don't forget to put your napkin on your lap and keep your elbows off the table. Better safe than sorry. And if you are asked to go to Starbucks for an interview over coffee, don't order the most expensive coffee on the menu. I know that rules out everything because after all it is called StarBUCKS!!!!
No matter what...do not order any alcohol at a business lunch. Wait until after your interview or business lunch later at home to scarf down that Pinot. I am going to go now because I am getting hungry. Thanks for reading and Bon Apetit!
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