4-H and Youth Development Fact Sheet | March 2016
DINNER TABLE
MANNERS
Tips to Help You Get the Job Offer
Job applicants are interested in measuring-up and exceeding the expectations of their future employers. Much is done to help individuals snag that job! In addition to having the skill set, people must also exhibit appropriate etiquette or social graces. Family dinners may sometime be replaced by quick grab and go meals, whereby members may not set a basic “table cover” and use utensils seen in fancy place settings.
First or second job interviews may be conducted over a meal. Many employers take applicants out to fancy restaurants, and even dine with other clients. The recruiter may watch how you eat, conduct yourself with clients, use your cutlery, and how you treat restaurant staff. Being familiar with proper etiquette is essential. During the meal concentrate on using good manners and social graces. Say “please” and “thank you” when asking for something from table guests and servers. Wait until everyone is served before beginning to eat.
Using proper etiquette and manners will help you get closer to getting the job offer. “The desire to make a good impression hardly means rehearsing your across-the-table banter or becoming a wine connoisseur,” reported Emily Post. Dinner interviews may be the final screening process of your job application. This is where you will exhibit “knowing how to use the cutlery, eating your food with civility, and conveying the sense of being at ease with those around you” (Emily Post). Your interpersonal, people, soft, and social skills are always on display during job interviews and throughout your career. Dinner interviews may be the final screen process of your job application. You are being evaluated at the dinner table. Make it work for you.
Common courtesies: 1. Listen attentively. 2. Be respectful to all. 3. Don’t talk while others are talking. 4. Use your inside voice (i.e., Low voice tone). 5. Refrain from using your Smartphones, taking “Selfies,” texting, receiving phone messages, and technology, during your period of engagement. 6. Only those at your table should hear your conversation.
The Cooperative Extension Program serves people of all ages regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, political beliefs, and marital or family status (Not all classes are protected by legal statues). Issued in the furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Act of September 29, 1977 in cooperation with the U. S. Department of Agriculture and Texas Agrilife Extension. Dr. James Palmer, Interim Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs, College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Prairie View A & M University.
Published by 4-H Program Specialist, Joice A. Jeffries, Ph.D. 936.261.5148 | jojeffries@pvamu.edu
DINNER TABLE
MANNERS Tips to Help You Get the Job Offer
Do’s and Dont’s of Dining with your Prospective Employer
For further information: http://emilypost.com/advice/business-meals/ The Cooperative Extension Program serves people of all ages regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, political beliefs, and marital or family status (Not all classes are protected by legal statues). Issued in the furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Act of September 29, 1977 in cooperation with the U. S. Department of Agriculture and Texas Agrilife Extension. Dr. James Palmer, Interim Dean and Director of Land-Grant Programs, College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Prairie View A & M University.
Published by 4-H Program Specialist, Joice A. Jeffries, Ph.D. 936.261.5148 | jojeffries@pvamu.edu