It’s Not Just Lunch.

How you interact with everyone, not just the interviewer, affects whether you get the job. I like how this article breaks down how interviewers evaluate candidates over a lunch interview. Beyond your substantive knowledge, interviewers are watching how you:

1. Interact with the staff. Are you polite and respectful or hierarchical and short? Employers need someone who can work well across different teams and levels. And they want to be be able to hang out with you too.
2. Order. Can you prioritize and quickly decide what you want to eat? If you can’t manage that, how can you be decisive about work issues?
3. Manage time/show good manners. Are you punctual? Do you follow standard business etiquette? Interviewers want to know if you can present and lead, or if you can only work in the back room.

Treat everyone well – it’s good for you too!