February 24, 2000
TU seminar shows students how to dine (no wine!) for success
By Cathy Willoughby
Staff Writer
Remember what your mother taught you. And display confidence, while being conservative in choice of dress, meals and topics of conversation.
These were just some of the pointers Tiffin University students received during a "Dining for Success'' seminar Wednesday afternoon in the Heritage Room of Friedley Dining Hall.
Presented by the university's Career Services Department, the program was designed to help provide tips on etiquette to students when they encounter a job interview over a meal.
David Gray, a representative from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, gave the students suggestions from an employer's prospective.
"I want to teach you how not to make a lot of mistakes,'' Gray told them. "And show you how to present yourself, so you look great, say great things and this person wants to hire you.
"When an employer asks you out for an interview lunch or dinner,'' he said, "you need to do your homework and ask what restaurant you will be eating at. You need to know what type of atmosphere you will encounter there, so don't be afraid to ask.''
For the proper silverware, the tip is to work from the outside in, said Gray.
"The smaller fork is the salad, which is the course that comes first,'' he explained. "It's so easy to remember outside in.''
And the less complicated the dish, the better off you are when interviewing.
"The less you have to wrestle with your food, the easier it will be,'' he added. "Order anything that is light and easy. This is not the time to say, 'Wow, I haven't had breakfast and I'm going to really eat now.' This is not the time you want a huge mound of food in front of you.''
He recommended eating before interviewing, following the lead of the interviewer, and choosing an entree with small portions, such as chicken breast or fish filet. And stick to water, juice or soft drinks during an interview meal.
"Never order alcohol,'' Gray said. "Booze is bad at lunch. You don't want to be free and easy. Listen to what other people are ordering and order the same. You want to be coherent, so be safe and put your best foot forward. Wrong impressions are bad. Great impressions are really good.''
Once the meal is ordered, Gray said, the interviewee should be prepared to engage in light conversational banter with several people accompanying the main interviewer.
"They want to know how you will react with several people with you,'' he said. "Be very, very professional. Make sure you know their names and titles, so you can address them all. And include everyone in the conversation. They want to see how do you interact with each of them in a conversational mode.''
He said students should begin the conversation with a hobby or interest they have, and to be well-versed in current events by reading a daily newspaper or weekly news magazine.
"You are letting them know that you are eager to learn.'' Gray said. "You need to be positive, positive, positive, with confidence, too. We as employers can tell if people are not confident.''
He encouraged the students to hone their conversational skills and practice firm, but not controlling, handshakes with their friends on campus.
"You don't want a distraction to take away from this career that you really want,'' he said. "Practice light conversation, but be yourself. Speak about things you know and be positive.''