How should I handle a Meal Interview?

The meal interview is one of the most difficult interviews to handle and should be avoided at all cost. There are too many distractions and opportunities to fail that are outside your control.

You could get a quirky waiter, or sit next to an ex-girl friend (or ex-boss) of yours or your interviewer, or order the wrong drink/meal, or belch unexpectedly due to indigestion, etc., etc..

During an interview, you're expected to do a lot of talking which will conflict with your eating. The key is to order something light and easy to manage, and prepare for the meeting as though it were in a private office setting.

Do your homework on the people you will be meeting with and ask intelligent questions. Since you are not likely to eat well during a meal interview, it's a good idea to have a snack before the meeting so your stomach doesn't growl unexpectedly, and you don't appear ravenous.