Job Interview Skills Over a Meal: Dining Etiquette Quiz

A second interview is often conducted over a meal as a standard practice when the candidate applies for a role that requires strong customer/client interaction. The goal of a lunch interview is for the employer to discreetly observe the potential hire and determine whether they are a corporate fit based on their ability to interact with the wait staff, their comfort level with the place setting, their social intelligence, and their overall knowledge of basic dining skills.

According to a survey conducted by Harvard, Stanford, and The Carnegie Foundation, 85% of one’s job success is determined by the ability to put others at ease. Would you impress your future boss and pass the dining etiquette test?

Job Interview Skills Over a Meal: Dining Etiquette Quiz

1. When approaching the table, what seat should the applicant take?

a. The seat with their back facing the door?

b. The seat facing the center of the room?

Answer: B. The seat facing the center of the room is the optimum seat and should go to the most important person at the table. In this case, it would be the interviewer unless otherwise requested to sit at a different seat.

2. To put the interviewer at ease, the candidate should:

a. Take their suit jacket off and carefully fold it over the chair.

b. Leave their suit jacket on the entire meal, and flip the tie over the shoulder to avoid a splash or spill.

Answer: It’s best to maintain a professional appearance by keeping your suit jacket on in most situations. If your interviewer removes their suit jacket and encourages you to do the same, you may feel comfortable doing so.

3. When ordering,  show your dining sophistication by:

a. Ordering a slightly higher-end item, rather than the lower end of the menu.

b. Go for the lunch special and pick something you can cut with a knife and fork.

Answer: B. Simplicity is best, so you can focus on the interview and avoid any dining mishaps.

4. If the recruiter offers you a glass of wine:

a. By all means take it. It’s a sign of trust and comradery.

b. Pass on the offer and order a non-alcoholic beverage instead.

Answer: B. Demonstrate your good judgment by passing on the offer of alcohol.

5. When it comes to what to order at the meal, the best menu options are:

a. Eggplant Parm with broccoli.

b. Spaghetti and a fresh salad.

Answer: A. Staying away from messy foods will help you maintain a professional appearance.

6. It’s important to know which side your drinks are located:

a. Right side.

b. Left side.

Answer: A. Remember the “BMW” rule: Bread on the left, Meal in the middle, and Water on the right.

7. When you leave the table temporarily, you place your napkin:

a. On the back of your chair, neatly folded.

b. On the seat of your chair.

Answer: B. Placing your napkin on your seat is the most discreet option.

8. You order the salmon and it comes to the table overcooked. You:

a. Eat it and say nothing even though it’s a little rubbery.

b. Send it back politely and in a friendly tone of voice.

Answer: A. Keep the focus on the interview and off of your food when possible. Unless the food item is going to physically harm, you such as an allergy, say nothing and focus on the conversation.

9. At the end of the meal, you want to show the recruiter some examples of your work so you:

a. Stack your dishes to the right side and make space for your demonstration.

b. Ask the server to please take your plate.

Answer: B. Allow your server to do their job and keep your attention on your interviewer. It’s never appropriate to stack plates.

10. The bill arrives and you want the recruiter to be impressed with your overall ability to navigate a business meal. The most impressive way to do this is:

a. Give the server your credit card when you walk in the door and tell them to bring the bill to you at the end of the meal.

b. Thank your potential employer for their time and follow up with a handwritten thank you note.

Answer: B. A sincere thank you and a handwritten note will leave a lasting impression.

For more information about working with Diane, America’s “Go To” social and professional etiquette authority, please visit The Protocol School of Texas. 

See what Diane is up to by following her on Instagram and Facebook and find etiquette inspiration on her Pinterest account. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, refer to her posts on Inc. and HuffPost.