Job Discussion Forums

SydGirl2 · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 50

Hi there! I have an interview for a job in Singapore in 2008. The venue for my interview is a restaurant. I have had contact with previous employees and they have said that the principal has a relaxed style of interviewing. When I spoke to the principal, he said we would have a meal, a glass of wine and a chat. My interview is at 2pm. Would we have lunch or should I just order coffee or wine? He arrives in Sydney at 1030 so I am guessing I am not his first interview. Therefore do I order a meal or should I have a snack before the interview? Also do we split the cost of the meal/drinks? Thanks in advance.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I would say follow his lead, and see. You should offer to pay for your order, thought the company should be picking up the check, since they are the ones who scheduled an interview in a restaurant Confused

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Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Do not order nor accept any alcohol. It's bait. Be a professional no matter how much the principal insists or drinks.

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 5:53 pm Post subject:

Depends on the country. I would never consume alcohol at a job interview in the US, or Ecuador, but have been in situations in the UK, southern Italy, and Spain where it would have been perfectly acceptable.

If you don't know who you're dealing with, though- drink water or coffee, follow his lead about what else to order, and offer to pay (though if he doesn't insist on paying, I might look for work elsewhere.)

Best,
Justin

Ahchoo · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 606 Location: Earth

Don't order food, it's 2pm, lunch is over. If he asks if you'd like something to drink order coffee, since he asked, he pays. If he doesn't ask, don't order.

nomadder · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:52 am Post subject:

Whenever I've been offered coffee I refused. I figured it would just make me jittery.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

nomadder posted

nomadder · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:21 pm Post subject:

As long as it's not a long interview or it's toilet where are you?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

A few years ago I travelled to London to interview someone for a teacher training position. I arranged to meet her at a bar in Victoria station. I was drinking Guiness(not available in Turkey at the time)she drank a coffee. Months later in Istanbul(she got the job) she confessed that she thought me offering her a drink was some sort of test. It wasn't. I just hold informal interviews. nothing wrong with having a beer at an interview to help both relax.

MELEE · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:06 pm Post subject:

ktodba · Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 54 Location: UK

Got to be honest, I once interviewed a guy in Poland in the pub and we had a few beers,I had already met him so essentially the job was his to lose and as long he showed he could control his drink it wasn't an issue.

Follow the lead of the interviewer but be aware of how much damage a full bladder can do to your interview technique and the possibility that it may be a test, as the interview is during the day you have a perfectly good reason for sticking to soft drinks - just say you have a meeting / work later and need to stay professional.

If the interviewer is drinking and doesn't select you because you have a social drink, following their lead, then ask yourself if you really want to work for someone whose attitude is 'do as I say not as I do'?

tedkarma · Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 12:10 am Post subject:

I have to agree with ktodba.

If the work situation is so uptight and filled with "tests" of your character - why even think about working there.

The guy said "lunch" - so eat lunch. Eat lightly so you can talk - and order non-messy foods - so you don't splash on yourself (as I do!). Stay in a moderate price range.

If the host - and he IS the host (he invited you to lunch) has a drink and you want one - have one. Asia is MUCH less uptight about the idea of having a drink in your office (for example) at the end of the day. If you don't want one - don't have one. If you think one glass of wine will fog your responses - don't have one. Frankly, I would probably find it relaxing and it would loosen my tongue a bit and I would probably do better in the interview as it would allow my rather enjoyable personality come out - (it is usually hidden behind a fairly strong shyness)

Who pays? Make the offer - it is good manners in most of Asia to OFFER even if you don't intend to pay

Try not to "read" so much into everything - just take it as it goes. Just my opinion.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

The guys said the interview is over lunch. That means you eat, he's paying and he should be paying for a reasonably-priced bottle of wine as well.

Loads of big-business deals are done over lunch. Just act absolutely normal.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

SydGirl, I hope you're going to let us know how it went!!

SydGirl2 · Joined: 18 May 2007 Posts: 50

Thank you to everyone who had helpful thoughts and suggestions regarding my interview. Well I had my interview yesterday. A bit strange to say the least. There was someone else there who was also being interviewed (I suspected that might be the case). Anyway she had been there for an hour and a half before me so she left shortly after I arrived. It didn't really seem like an interview-we talked about our interests and other minor things- not much typical interview stuff. He is interviewing candidates in NZ for the next 2 weeks and will let me know by the middle of next month. In my previous interviews I've had a fair idea how I'm going but with this I didn't know. I suspect I either did very well or very poorly-I don't think he'll have to waste too much time deciding one way or the other. BTW it WAS lunch(they were eating dessert when I got there.) I had a main course and coffee. He paid-no problems there.