TheRealTommyCallahan

President of Callahan Auto

Lunch interview tomorrow for a job that I really want.

I have never done a lunch interview for a potential job. I have it tomorrow and just wanting to get some advice on dress, what to possibly expect, etiquette, etc.

The interview is set for an hour, quick-casual lunch. Any advice is welcome.

I searched for this question and could not find anything on it. If there is any post about this call me out on my shit and I will delete this post. Thanks y'all!

🧠 Advice

🤝 Interviewing/Offer

44 comments

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CuriousFox

WR Officer

🦊

You don't have a second chance for a first impression. It's still a meeting, regardless of the location. Dress like you want the job.

funcoupons

WR Officer

👑

Exactly. It's always better to be a bit overdressed than underdressed. Other than using appropriate table manners and acting like a professional, it's worth mentioning that the interviewer will pay the bill. Don't argue with them on it. Also don't order any messy or smelly food.

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Great point. I do love messy foods so I will definitely have to pick something a lot cleaner lol

LordOfWar

Tycoon

Blow it up

Agreed, I will always prefer to be overdressed than underdressed. My last interview at my current company was during their Canada Day BBQ so the boss told me I didn't have to dress up.

I wore dockers, polo and a blazer, they laughed at me as they were in shorts and sandals and said they told me to not dress up, but I got the job. I know how I would have felt if a potential sales hire showed up looking sloppy, even if told it was ok.

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Better to be overdressed for sure. Love the story you shared. Congrats on getting the job! Wish I was meeting at a BBQ event!

LordOfWar

Tycoon

Blow it up

Thanks and best of luck!

Jbeans

Opinionated

Director of Sales

Mine was at a brunch and they told me not to show up dressed like Hilary Clinton. Which I wouldn’t have bc I don’t look good in monochromatic pant suits (no digs - just fact) but the dress code was super stressful and then eating during the interview was like being in a first date where you’re starving but get a salad lol . Be confident and be yourself is my best advice and remember -you are interviewing them too!

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Love this advice. I feel like it is a blind date situation lol I'm excited but extremely nervous. Should be a great experience. Thanks for the advice!

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

That's what makes me nervous. All the interviews I have had up to this point (3 total so far) have been over Zoom. They are a remote company but they have one of the VPs of Sales that lives in the same area as me and they proposed a lunch interview. Of course I accepted. Thanks for the advice! Haven't done an in person interview since 2018 LOL

CaneWolf

Politicker

Call me what you want, just sign the damn contract

30 minutes isn't really enough time to even eat lunch so that's a bit strange. Assuming you're a guy, slacks and button down with nice shoes is fine.

Some quick tips:
-Don't order the most expensive thing on the menu
-Don't order alcohol
-Get food that's relatively easy to eat without making a mess
-The focus is on the person. Part of the lunch meeting interview is to make sure you have basic manners and don't suck. Just be a human.

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

I made a mistake on my post. It is actually an hour interview.

Love your tips. Thanks for the time you put into this!

Mr.Pickles

Arsonist

Sr. Customer Success Manager

Make sure you're dressed as the role once you get in - be polite. The word casual can be tricky, but make sure you hit a home run with the first impression. BEST of SUCCESS.

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Thank you!

Mr.Pickles

Arsonist

Sr. Customer Success Manager

go for it tiger

uncorpse

Politicker

Sales Development

2x! It's your time!

UserNotFound

Politicker

Account Executive

Don’t go hungry so you can do more talking than eating. My last interview (I didn’t know was an interview) was over a lunch and I barely ate because I was so involved in the conversation. Also, definitely come prepped with a copy of your resume + any bragbook, portfolio, etc- anything to put some legitimacy behind your accomplishments.

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Great points. Makes sense not to go hungry. I'd want to eat but also you need to have a deep conversation. Thanks!

Oboy77

Arsonist

Workspace Consultant

Don't overthink it! Relax and be yourself.

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Thanks!!

InQ5WeTrust

Arsonist

No marketing, mayo isn't an MQL

Done one lunch interview in the past, also a final stage.

I pinged one of the SDR's I'd interviewed with asking what to wear - he advised just to rock up in what I'd wear to the office - Jeans/Brogues and a knitwear jumper (it was winter).

Don't order anything crazy, match them on alcohol.

Otherwise, don't stress as you've made it this far for a reason. Make sure to use the time to confirm you want to work for them as well.

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Brilliant stuff. Thanks!

CCP

Opinionated

VP, Business Development

If they ask if you want a beer or wine, ask them what they're having then mirror what they order. Try and do the same with what they order for food but try and have your order cost a little less than them. i.e. if they go for filet minion, get the ribeye. Not the steak sandwich with fries, for example.

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Great advice. This part will be the trickiest part I believe. Thanks!

SammySandbags

Politicker

Account Executive

be you. always match the interviewer on alcoholic drinks

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Definitely hope there is some alcohol involved but I guess we'll see

plssircanigetanotherpo

Executive

- Don't order spaghetti or anything with colorful sauce that might stain your shirt or requires potentially slurping...both of which will distract your interviewer
- Wear business casual but confirm with your interviewer on the attire
- Come with a notebook with probing questions (role, business, culture, NOW AND FUTURE states, etc.) to ask the interviewer but ask permission to take notes during the meeting.
- Control the conversation, you want to be the one asking a lot of questions. This will show you're serious about the job, and also the interviewer will feel like the meeting goes well coz he/she is the one talking the most.
- Remember that it's NOT really a casual meeting coz the other side is there to see if you should get an offer or not.
- Set next steps.

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Great advice. Thank you!

softwarebro

Politicker

Sales Director

I came on this thread to specifically mention spaghetti. Early in my career, I had a lunch interview where I ordered spaghetti. Once I got home I noticed that I had sauce spots all over my white dress shirt. If you are curious I still got the job offer but never lived down the event.

cw95

Politicker

Sales Development Lead

I also have never done this but just wanted to say good luck and hopefully we hear about the outcome!

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

I appreciate the positive vibes! I'll make sure to post an update. Thanks!

Incognito

WR Officer

Master of Disaster

Lunch meetings are basically all I do! Dress how you would to any other interview - do you know anything about the person you’re meeting? I tend to order based on their persona. If they’re a health nut, get a salad. If they are kinda low brow - something classic but easy to eat. White collar? Ask for a recommendation. You don’t have to finish your plate, just eat a little bit. Ask for it to go if you feel awkward. So many times I’ve just had tea. You can claim you’re fasting or something.

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Great insights. This person I am interviewing with is definitely a health nut. Salad it is for me!

harebrained

Politicker

Enterprise Account Executive

Go for the close! My only lunch interviews have been late stage and I got a handshake on an offer at the end by sharing something a little more personal about what I wanted to accomplish next in my career and how I hope they are the people I do that with.. Love all the other tips too - keep it tidy, don't talk about just work and have a brag book at the ready, I'd assume there won't be booze but who knows.

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

This will be the last interview so I love this pointer. Thank you for that advice!

SalesRecruiter

Opinionated

Recruiting Director

Dress for the job you want. Pretend you are at lunch with a prospect. When sales leaders do the lunch interviews, they want to see how you might act around customers and prospects.

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Great advice. Thanks!

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Update for anyone who cares. Interview went amazing. The person I had lunch with ordered a burger. Super chill interview and it went very well. Thank you all for the support!

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Just received an offer from this company. Thanks again for all your advice everyone!

SomeSalesDude

Good Citizen

Sales Engineering Manager

Congrats! :)

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Thanks!

User1234567

Politicker

User1234567

GOOD LUCK!!

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Thank you!

Lysistrata

Good Citizen

CEO

Soup. Yogurt. Bowls. Bread and butter, don't forget to tear the bread into bite-sized pieces before buttering each one. Salads and sandwiches are land mines!

Business casual is always in good taste. If they comment, just say you have a couple other afternoon "engagements". Let them wonder.

TheRealTommyCallahan

Arsonist

President of Callahan Auto

Love this! Thanks for the awesome advice.

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TheRealTommyCallahan

Lunch interview tomorrow for a job that I really want.

44 comments

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