Young Professionals: Alcohol at a Job Interview—Yes or No?

A large part of my business is training university students on the importance of dining etiquette skills, particularly those related to second job interviews conducted over a meal. The question consistently arises regarding whether (or not) to accept alcohol at a lunch job interview. I have observed much confusion among college students who “have heard” from multiple sources, everyone from their roommate to a family member, not to refuse an alcoholic beverage if one is offered. One student even remarked, “It’s a great way to relax and let your hair down!”

Regardless of the advice you may have previously been given, from a corporate protocol perspective, the answer is always a polite, “No thank you.” The safest and most appropriate option is to decline alcohol at a lunch interview. It does not have to be an uncomfortable scene; simply say, “I am going to pass, but please go right ahead.” Score! You proved you are exercising discretion and good judgment during the lunch interview.

“But, if I skip the drink, will it hurt my chances of getting hired?”

A common concern is the fear of appearing uptight and unfriendly by refusing to share a glass of wine during an interview over lunch. While you may run a very slight risk of getting passed over by an interviewer who places a high value on an employee who can hold his or her liquor, you are more likely to hurt your chances of securing a job by accepting the drink. Additionally, if you are passed over for declining liquor at a meal, you may be better off continuing to search for a job that focuses on skills rather than drinking talents.

Some companies may deliberately offer you a drink at a lunch interview as an attempt to determine your ability to use good judgment under pressure. If you lose a job because you didn’t accept alcohol at an interview, consider yourself lucky, as you successfully dodged a bullet.

“What about drinking before an interview to ease my nerves?”

While having a pre-interview drink may give you a shot of courage, it also sends the message that you need to rely on a crutch to calm yourself down. A subtle hint of liquor on your breath is all it will take to influence an interviewer’s decision negatively. A better idea is to channel your nervous energy into something productive. Take a run, meditate or attend a yoga class. If you are prepared and have done your homework, you are less likely to get flustered. Interviewers are human and understand it’s common to be nervous, taking your slight unease into consideration.

“Do the same rules apply at a dinner interview?”

When you are a seasoned executive with a proven track record, you may have the occasion to be recruited by another company, sharing casual conversation over an informal meal in a social setting. This is one example when it wouldn’t raise eyebrows to have a glass of wine. Recent college grads, take note: This circumstance is an exception to the rule and applies to professionals who have established themselves, not first-time job seekers looking to begin their careers.

The bottom line, accepting a drink at a job interview in the middle of the workday is a huge risk. Once you secure the job, going out with coworkers or sharing a drink with a client at a fundraising event is a different conversation. However, as long as you are unemployed and attempting to impress an interviewer, put the wine glass down and drink the water.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.com.

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