The Image of Success: Make a Great Impression and Land the Job You Want

IT MAY NOT HAPPEN

on the first round or even the second, but at some point

during a lengthy interview process, you will be invited to dine out. This

often happens when you’re seeing multiple decision makers in one day or

when the 9–5 hours are too precious or impractical to spend on inter-

viewing. When this happens, I let out a huge gasp, because it is precisely

the point when many leading candidates go down. Couple a relaxing

restaurant setting with a cocktail or two and all of a sudden you are an

open book, resulting in the dreaded TMI (too much information). There

are all sorts of inappropriate conversation choices, and they all seem to be

a topic of discussion during a dining interview. Out of the blue, you are on

the subject of your divorce and how you are every bit to blame for it.

There’s alimony talk, then you reminisce about the old days, and finally the

tears start rolling down your face.

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Whining and Dining

Tipping the Scales with

Appropriate Etiquette

Manners are a sensit ive awareness of the feeling s of others. If you have that aware-

ness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use. —Emily Post (American

etique tte author ity)

Then, there are seating and entrée choices along with how you handle

your knife and fork. It’s easy to descend into a bottomless pit of trouble

when dining on someone else’s expense account. But really, it doesn’t have

to be this way because this is an area you can easily master. I have seen

miraculous transformations in this area. I’m speaking of myself, and it’s

made all the difference in the world for me. All it takes is a little practice

and a lot of self-control. It’s a lot to think about, I know, but good dining

etiquette is one of those skills that, once learned, can be executed effort-

lessly. I equate it to being a good driver: There’s plenty to maneuver but

once you dominate the skill, you can simultaneously drive, eat, and speak.

Distinguish yourself from the pack and do away with awkwardness that

will label you as “unrefined.” Stop whining about the challenge and shape

up your dining habits by exhibiting good table manners while choosing

appropriate conversation topics to combat these killer dining interviews.

Predining Prep

You’ve been given a date, a time, and the name and location of a restau-

rant as the venue for your final interview with the last and most influen-

tial of decision makers within the firm. As soon as you are privy to this

information, it’s homework time. Start by researching the restaurant:

Access its Web site, read a review, call to find out what its cuisine is like,

and do a trial run by visiting beforehand to time your commute. See with

your own eyes what the space and lighting are like. You don’t have the

advantage of doing this when your interview venue is in an office, but in

a restaurant you certainly can find out and, believe me, it will help take

the edge off. You will be familiar with details and you won’t have to think

about them during your interview.

Choose a business suit that is authoritative in color and silhouette, as

you will be meeting with the person who is to give the final stamp of

approval. The last thing you need is to be embarrassed by the maître d’

who insists you wear an ill-fitting loaner jacket to sit across from the per-

son who holds your fate in her hands. That would be a huge mistake! Be

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THE IMAGE OF SUCCESS