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interview in a cafe

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luminos24
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interview in a cafe [#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2007, 09:02
I have McCombs alumni interview tomorrow and my interviewer has not specified any dress code. We will be meeting in a cafe after work hours...i have the following questions...(tried searching for previous posts on the topic but couldn't find any :( )

1) I usually wear business casuals to office. So, should i go back home from work and change into a suit for the interview? Or business casuals will be fine since the interview is not in a very formal location?

2) who pays! ...i mean...say we order some food and drinks...should i insist on paying? should i offer to split? should i let him foot the bill?

3) any other special things to consider for interview in a restaurant? (apart from what to eat and how to eat :-) )

re-reading what i have typed seems like i am soliciting advice for a first date :twisted:
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[#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2007, 09:42
Hey Luminos, here a re a few pointers....

1) I would still wear a suit and tie (unless its one of those gas station quick cafes, which I assume is not the case). You won't know if he has to wear business formal from work and shows up to the cafe wearing a suit (low probability). But to be on the safe side, you can always remove your suit top when you sit.

2) If its a pay before you sit type cafe (starbucks, seattles best etc) then I would let him lead in the line and if he want to combine the bill, then thats OK, politely say thank you. If he pays his own, well then I would pay my own as well.

If its a sitdown place and the bill arrives at the table, I would continue the current conversation through to the end and wait a few seconds to see what he does. You generally want him to lead. Most likely, he may end up paying for it, but if he doesn't say anything, I would casually reach for my wallet and pull it out. Then, I let him decide whether he wants to split or whether he wants to take it himself.

3) I would be careful ordering anything that requires a lot of work to eat. If its just a cafe type setting, I would probably just order coffee or tea nothing else. If he insists to grab a bite, I would probably just get an apetizer or something dry and quick. Also, remember to wait before he eats before you dig in. And you your napkin often to wipe off anything from eating!

Good luck and remember the two day rule after the date! :-D
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[#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2007, 10:03
agsfaltex wrote:
Good luck and remember the two day rule after the date! :-D


Thanx a lot agsfaltex...some good pointers indeed!...i assume the two-day-rule means to give a follow-up call only two days after a date...but then i should drop him a thank you note/email asap...right?! I am not planning to give a follow up "call" per say because he would have probably filled out evaluation by EOD tomorrow...

thanx again
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[#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2007, 10:19
luminos24 wrote:
agsfaltex wrote:
Good luck and remember the two day rule after the date! :-D


Thanx a lot agsfaltex...some good pointers indeed!...i assume the two-day-rule means to give a follow-up call only two days after a date...but then i should drop him a thank you note/email asap...right?! I am not planning to give a follow up "call" per say because he would have probably filled out evaluation by EOD tomorrow...

thanx again


I had one interview in starbucks, wore a suit and it was fine. I would say you want to send the 'thank you' the same day, or the next day.. I wouldn't recommend waiting two days.
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[#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2007, 10:41
gogetter wrote:
luminos24 wrote:
agsfaltex wrote:
Good luck and remember the two day rule after the date! :-D


Thanx a lot agsfaltex...some good pointers indeed!...i assume the two-day-rule means to give a follow-up call only two days after a date...but then i should drop him a thank you note/email asap...right?! I am not planning to give a follow up "call" per say because he would have probably filled out evaluation by EOD tomorrow...

thanx again


I had one interview in starbucks, wore a suit and it was fine. I would say you want to send the 'thank you' the same day, or the next day.. I wouldn't recommend waiting two days.


I would also not wait. I typically send thank you notes that day, and usually within hours. You wait two days and it seems like you "finally got round to it" and it wasnt a top priority.
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[#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2007, 10:45
1) Wear a suit. You might be over dressed but better to be overdressed than underdressed. If you are overdressed just throw the jacket over the chair and you'll be more reasonable.

2) Nothing wrong with the advice given before, but I personally would offer to pay. Something simple like reaching for the bill and he says:

"no ... no .. I'll take care of that.."
and I say
"No please, let me, you are taking time out of your day to help me and answer my questions, its the least I can do."

If they still push past that I relent and let them pay.

3) Avoid pasta dishes unless its something like penne -- too messy otherwise. Soups can be a relatively safe bet because you can quickly swallow if you need to answer, but don't slurp. If its in a cafe like Starbucks I usually get a sparkling pellegrino water and some kind of muffin.
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agsfaltex
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[#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2007, 11:01
I agree thank you note the same day, and you should remember to get his b-card in case he forgets!

I was just joking about the 2 day rule! Ahh dating...it feels soo long ago :)
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[#permalink] New post   26 Mar 2007, 14:32
thanx for all your pointers friends...you have been most helpful...as always :)
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