Job interviews: how to succeed in a social interview

A social interview is when you are taken out to lunch or dinner, invited to attend a company social event or conference, or taken to a professional association meeting. There are actually two purposes for this type of interview.

The first purpose is to get to know you in a more informal way to determine if you really are a good fit for the team. In today’s increasingly team-based work environment, team compatibility is crucial to success. Remember, they already know you can get the job done, now they’re determining if you’ll be a productive team member.

The second purpose is to see how you perform in a social setting, especially if you are going to be interacting with customers or prospects in public. It’s presentation (how you carry yourself), networking, and manners (yes, mom was right, they are important).

Understand that this is not a break from the interview process, but part of it. Doing it right may not earn you major points, but doing it wrong can do you irreparable damage.

Some advices:

oYou are not there for the food.

o Don’t eat anything that’s messy or drippy (or if you MUST, make sure it matches your suit so it doesn’t show as much).

oMind your table manners (mother was never so critical)

o Think of the way you would work the table at a business lunch and double it: don’t dominate, include everyone, always be courteous.

oSometimes it is not so clearly part of the interview process. If you’re invited to a company event or something similar, the same rules apply: it’s an interview, not a social event. Be social but be on your guard.