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Power Lunch Primer Needed?
January 20, 2010
The potential for disaster at power lunches, especially the ones in which new jobs or business accounts are at stake, is high. What if, for instance, you order one of those seafood dishes that comes with a little hammer and the implement slips out of your hand and hits your dining companion (i.e. business prospect) in the head?
f you're fortunate enough to be taken to lunch during a job interview (or presumably during any other business-related process), don't make the mistake of assuming the meal is your opportunity to relax and refuel, says Mitch Wienick, president and CEO of Kelleher Associates, LLC, a career counseling firm.
"The assumption that lunch is being served for your dining pleasure is misguided," says Wienick. "Job seekers shouldn't forget for one second they are being interviewed, no matter how relaxing the setting."
Employers often use meals to gauge a candidate's behavior in more social settings. But "more social" does not mean candidates can let down their guard. "A lunch or dinner can be a stressful event for a job seeker, particularly if multiple representatives from the company attend," Wienick says.
He advises clients to remain focused on their top goal throughout the meal—presenting themselves as a strong candidate for the desired position. That may mean eating becomes a low priority.
Wienick offers these tips to job seekers who are invited to lunch by a potential employer:
• Order only foods that can be easily eaten during a conversation. That means "no" to spaghetti and other messy dishes such as barbecued ribs or lobster. Avoid garlic- and onion-laden dishes, particularly if you have additional interviews in the afternoon.
• Never order alcohol at lunch, even if your host does. If your host orders wine with dinner and offers you a glass, use your judgment. You know how you react to alcohol. If you accept any, limit yourself to a single glass, and don't feel compelled to finish it.
• Be a good conversationalist. Follow your host's lead. Wait for her to introduce a more personal topic; if she doesn't, keep the conversation focused on business. Asking occasional questions can give you an opportunity to take a bite every now and then.
• Follow impeccable table manners. Don't begin eating until your host starts. If you are unclear on silverware etiquette, brush up before you are invited to the restaurant.
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