Preparing for a job interview is nerve-wracking enough, let alone when your potential employer suggests a lunch interview. What should you order? How will the conversation go? How can you highlight your strengths and accomplishments while trying to maneuver a mouthful of chicken Piccata?
When I interviewed for my current position, I had two lunch interviews. I was a first-timer at this interview format and had little knowledge of what to expect. But I survived—and so can you. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for a lunch interview and ace it.
What's a lunch interview?
A lunch interview is a job interview conducted while you and the interviewer are sharing a meal, typically at a restaurant, café, or another public place. The goal of this interview format is to observe how you interact in a social setting. In addition to evaluating your qualifications and experience, the interviewer will pay close attention to your personality, social skills, and how you manage informal conversations.
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How to prepare for a lunch interview
Just because a lunch interview takes place outside of a formal office setting doesn't mean you should take your preparation lightly. You're still being evaluated, and it's important to impress the employer. Here’s how to prepare:
Do some research
Research the restaurant in order to figure out the location, menu, clientele, and noise level. Even if you’ve been to the restaurant before, take some time to review the menu and pick out a few options you might order. It’ll reduce the amount of time you spend looking at it and thinking—time that could be spent engaging with the employer.
Needless to say, you should also research the employer and learn as much as you can about the company or organization, if you haven't already.
This might help: The Ultimate Guide to Researching a Company Pre-Interview
Plan to arrive early
Of course, you don't want to be late for your interview. So, plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to the reservation and wait for your interviewer at the front of the restaurant—especially if you haven't been in that area before. This will help prevent you from being late while trying to figure out where to park (Google Maps is your best friend) and the whole, “I wonder if they have a table yet?” awkwardness (If you haven’t met them before, do a quick Google image search so you have some idea of who you’re looking for.)
Memorize your questions
One of the hardest things about an interview over a meal is that you won't have notes available to refer to—at least not easily, anyway. For this reason, spend plenty of time beforehand outlining the key points that you want to get across and asking questions that you need answers to. (Here are 57 smart questions to ask in an interview.)
Pick an appropriate attire
Next, dress the part. Though a restaurant may feel more casual than a conference room, you still want to choose business attire that is interview-appropriate, the same type you would wear for a traditional interview. Don't forget to properly steam your clothes and double-check for stains—you don’t want to appear as though you don’t care about how you present yourself.
Read this next: What Not to Wear to an Interview—and What Works Better
How to ace a lunch interview
You know the basics: prepare for common interview questions, maybe do a mock interview, and rehearse a few key answers. But a lunch interview is about more than just your responses—it’s also about your behavior. Here are some lunch interview etiquette tips to help you make a great impression:
What to order
One of the trickiest aspects of a lunch interview is figuring out what to order. The best you can do is take the lead from the interviewer. When you sit down, casually ask if they’ve been to the restaurant before and what they think are good options—hopefully, their recommendations will give you a sense of an appropriate price range.
If not, when the wait staff arrives, try to have your interviewer order first and choose a dish at that price point (or less). Also, pick an option that will be easy to eat while you’re talking. (Hint: Forkfuls of Caesar salad are easier to maneuver than a massive, messy sandwich.)
No matter how casual the employer may be, you want to put forward your very, very best self. This means you should stay away from ordering alcohol, even if the interviewer does. If you get the job, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to share a drink with them—the interview is not the time or place to start.
How to behave
The reason for having an interview over a meal is that the employer is looking at how you present yourself in this setting (and how you would represent the company in future social settings). Be aware of all those table manners: Sit up straight, keep your elbows off the table, maintain good eye contact, don't speak with your mouth full, and don’t forget to say “please” and “thank you.”
How to engage
Lunch interviews are typically more of a conversation than a Q & A format. Don't be afraid to engage in a two-way dialogue. Yes, answer questions they ask you, but also insert any questions you have where appropriate. Know that it’s OK if the conversation veers into more personal topics (e.g., “Where did you grow up?”).
That said, follow your interviewers’ lead and listen closely when they switch from casual dialogue to questions about your fit for the position. Lastly, don't make the mistake of taking questions that seem casual (e.g. “What are you passionate about?”, “What are your hobbies?”) too casually. It's still a job interview and you don't want to overshare or give inappropriate answers.
Common lunch interview questions
As for the interview questions, you can expect standard inquiries about your background, experiences, education, and qualifications. The setting usually doesn't affect the types of questions asked. For example, they might ask:
Besides typical interview questions, lunch interview conversation topics often revolve around topics that give the interviewer a glimpse into your personality and life. For example:
- What do you do outside of work?
- What inspires you?
- Where did you attend college?
Lunch interview questions to ask as a candidate
Since lunch interviews tend to be more conversational, you don't have to wait until the end to ask questions. You can ask questions related to what's being discussed on the spot, or, as most experts recommend, have a few questions prepared in advance. Here are some smart questions to ask in a lunch interview:
- How long have you been with the company?
- What are some examples of projects I’d be working on?
- Is this a new role or will I be replacing an employee who’s leaving?
- Are there opportunities for advancement within the company?
- What’s your favorite part about working in [company]?
How to wrap things up
At the end of the meal, don’t be worried about the check. The interviewers have invited you to the meal, and therefore, they’ll pick up the tab. As the bill is being paid, ask about any next steps, which will help guide what you write in your thank-you note (yep, you need to write one after every interview). Genuinely thank the interviewer for their time and the meal, both as they are paying the check and as you leave the restaurant.
Lunch interview thank-you email example
A lunch interview “thank-you” email isn't much different from one you'd write for any other interview format. The only difference is that you'll thank them for the meal (the last time!) and for taking the time to meet you in person. Here's an example:
Hi Pamela,
I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to meet me in person today and for the meal. It was great to hear about Green Company's new initiatives with renewable energy—it seems like a wonderful place to work, with a great mission.
Please let me know if you need any additional information. I look forward to hearing from you about the next steps.
Best regards,
Casey Smith
FAQs
Is a lunch interview a good sign?
Having a lunch interview is generally a good thing. It means the interviewers are interested in spending more time with you and it’s a great way to convey your skills and personality in a less formal environment.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a lunch interview?
The advantage of a lunch interview is the casual setting, which allows for a more conversational tone compared to a traditional Q&A interview. This environment gives you the opportunity to showcase your personality and learn more about the employer.
On the flip side, lunch interviews come with more potential for critical mistakes since the interviewer is evaluating both your professional responses and social behavior. Plus, managing your meal while answering questions can add pressure, making it harder to focus entirely on the interview, compared to a more straightforward interview format.
How to dress for a lunch interview?
Your lunch interview attire should be business-appropriate. Classic options like slacks or dark jeans paired with a button-down shirt and/or a dark blazer are timeless and professional. If you’re considering wearing a dress or skirt, make sure it is knee-length for a polished look.
Pro tip: Research the company on social media to get a sense of the dress code. Some companies have a more casual atmosphere, allowing you to express your style and personality more freely. If you’re unable to find any relevant information, it’s best to play it safe and opt for business casual attire.
Amanda Cardoso contributed to the latest version of this article.