Looking for Jobs in Boston: Mealtime Interview Etiquette
If you are hunting for jobs in Massachusetts, remember that Boston is known for its history, culture and beauty, but it’s also known for offering some of the finest cuisine in the world. If you are confronted with a mealtime interview, however, don’t let the delicious fare of Boston become a recipe for disaster.
More and more business people find their schedules so overloaded that they often schedule interviews during meal times. During this type of interview, not only are you expected to make a good impression through the quality of your conversation, questions and answers, but your potential future employer will surely form an opinion of you based on your table manners and what and how you eat. Boston jobs are readily available, but if you find yourself on a meal time interview, consider these tips:
* Follow their lead. In business the customer comes first, but in this type of interview, your host or hostess comes first. Let them be seated before you sit, let them order before you order.
* Don’t go for the surf and turf. Order a cheaper meal than your host, and steer clear of foods that can splatter or are messy or difficult to eat (watching you remove the meat from a crab leg, for example, may prove distracting to your interviewer). Another tip – it’s never a good thing to ask for an alcoholic beverage even if your host or hostess orders a noontime cocktail.
* Eat fast – but not too fast. It may be in your nature to linger over good food, but in this case, the faster you eat, the better your interview. Still, don’t overdo it. Take small bites so that you can swallow quickly and answer questions without showing your interview a mouthful of food.
* Manners count. The old rules you had hammered into you as a child still apply – napkin folded neatly in your lap and no elbows on the table. If you need to excuse yourself, leave your napkin on your chair, only placing it on the table when the meal is finished. Sit up straight with your feet on the floor so as not to appear too casual. Finally, your meal will most likely be paid for by your interviewer, so be sure to thank them for the meal – and regardless of the outcome of the interview, sending a thank you note is always a nice touch.
* Remember why you are eating with a stranger. The primary goal of this meeting is not to eat a good meal, but to interview for a job. If you don’t get to finish your food – don’t complain. Your focus needs to be on answering questions in a thoughtful, intelligent manner.
If you have questions about finding jobs in Massachusetts and the interview process, contact a professional employment agency. Boston has a wide-open job market – and if you get to sample some world-class dining while job hunting – lucky you!
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