Lunch Interviews, Dinners, and Retreats - Act Professional, Never Let Your Guard Down, What To Order?, Table Manners, Basic Etiquette
Most candidates attend a number of interview lunches, which are often a part of callback and lateral interviews. Although lunch interviews are more common, breakfast, dinner, and cocktail interviews are not unheard of. The important thing to remember here is not to treat these interviews casually. Even when your interviewers are the same age as or younger than you, maintain professionalism and decorum in your conversation, and never let your guard down.
Additional Topics
A growing numbers of firms invite candidates for breakfast, lunch, or dinner interviews. The idea behind these interviews is for attorneys to get to know the candidates and to share insights about the firm. Because these interviews seem so relaxing, they often give young lawyers an unusual surge of confidence. Nevertheless, certain basic rules of conduct apply. Do not do or say anything foolish (g…
Typically, the interviewers attending these events are junior to mid-level associates. When no one else is available, or when you share a similar background with one of the attorneys, your interviewers may be more senior. Conversations during these interviews are usually informal, convivial, and not necessarily confined to any particular topic. This is your chance to ask questions about the firm&#…
During interviews, the person paying should order first. This sets the tone for the spending behavior and your menu. Take your cues from the interviewers. Firms usually limit the budget for lunch interviews, so it is good to be mindful and not order too much. This may be difficult to do, especially if the interviewers invite you to order first. What you can do, however, is pick a moderately priced…
It is amazing how many candidates lack basic table manners. We have seen interviewees who pick their teeth, eat with their bare hands, or put their elbows on the dining table. Some also slurp, talk with their mouths full, and munch their food loudly during interviews. If you were raised in a family in which proper table manners were not a priority, pay special attention to how you eat and behave. …
Here are some useful etiquette tips for your meal interviews: …
Generally, do not drink unless you are encouraged to. Never drink during lunch interviews, even if others are drinking. Order a drink (or two, depending on what your limit it) during firm retreats or receptions, but drink in moderation. You have probably heard about “Aquagirl"—a student who got so drunk at a firm event that she took off her clothes, handed them to a partner, and jump…
An invitation to a firm retreat is the latest experiment some firms are trying out as a part of their recruiting efforts. Despite their obvious curb appeal, firm retreats are basically day- or week-long interviews, so all the usual interview rules apply. Try to have a good time, but do not treat a retreat as a vacation. Be a good sport; when invited to participate in team-building exercises or com…
Citing this material
Please include a link to this page if you have found this material useful for research or writing a related article. Content on this website is from high-quality, licensed material originally published in print form. You can always be sure you're reading unbiased, factual, and accurate information.
Highlight the text below, right-click, and select “copy”. Paste the link into your website, email, or any other HTML document.
User Comments