1. Dining Etiquette Career Counseling and Support Services
1640 Neil Avenue, 2nd Floor
Younkin Success Center
(614)
ccss.osu.edu

2. Career Counseling and Support Services
Objectives
To outline appropriate table manners before, during, and after a meal
To describe the general “do’s” and “don’ts” of dining etiquette
To present power dining results

3. An Informal Place Setting
Career Counseling and Support Services
An Informal Place Setting

4. Career Counseling and Support Services
A Formal Place Setting

5. Before the Meal Dress Professionally
Career Counseling and Support Services
Before the Meal
Dress Professionally
Place your napkin on your lap after everyone is seated and after your host has moved his/her napkin
Review the menu and decide what you want to order quickly
Let the host take the lead in ordering, this will give you an idea of what to eat
If the recruiter is not first in line to order, ask him/her “what do you recommend”

6. Career Counseling and Support Services
During the Meal
If your place is set with more than one fork, begin from the outside and work your way in
This is the time for both of you to relax and get to know one another better
Hold your knife and fork with the thumb and three fingers keeping the index finger extender on the handle
When cutting meat, the fork prongs should be pointed down, not up

7. Career Counseling and Support Services
During the Meal
Cut your meat or meal one piece at a time; avoid dicing it into bite-sized pieces all at once
With dinner rolls, break off and butter one small piece of bread at a time; avoid making a sandwich
When sharing sauce with others, spoon some of it on to your plate; don’t dip your food into it
Strive to come across as relaxed, friendly, and interested in the conversation; stay positive

8. Career Counseling and Support Services
During the Meal
Stay away from too much personal information as well as controversial topics
Use this opportunity to gather more information about the career
Put your silverware on your plate in the “rest position” when you speak, not on the table

9. Career Counseling and Support Services
During the Meal
Rest position means: knife and fork are at 5 and 7 o’clock respectively
If you need to leave the table temporarily, place your napkin on your seat
Maintain good eye contact throughout the meal and avoid dominating the conversation

10. Career Counseling and Support Services
After the Meal
Place the knife and fork prongs down side by side on the plate with handles at 4 o’clock
If your host insists the waiter bring the dessert menu, he/she wants you to have one
When you are done with the meal, place you napkin to the left of your plate

11. After the Meal Make sure you thank your host for providing the meal
Career Counseling and Support Services
After the Meal
Make sure you thank your host for providing the meal
Shake hands with the recruiter before you leave and maintain good eye contact

12. General “DO’s” and “DON’Ts”
Career Counseling and Support Services
General “DO’s” and “DON’Ts”
Do’s
Do sit up straight
Do keep your elbows out off the table
Do say “please” and “thank you”
Do take your time eating, talking, and listening
Do drink from your glass of water, it’s to your right
Don’ts
Don’t ask the waiter to explain everything on the menu
Don’t order the most expensive item
Don’t order any sloppy or hard to eat food
Don’t order any food that requires the use of your fingers
Avoid slurping your soup(spoon forward)

13. General “Don’ts” Don’t speak with your mouth full
Career Counseling and Support Services
General “Don’ts”
Don’t speak with your mouth full
Don’t dip food into a bowl others have to use
Don’t forgo the meal and don’t eat the garnish
Don’t drink alcohol, if you choose to drink, limit to one beer or glass of wine
Don’t argue over the check or offer to pay the tip, the host who invited you must take care of both
Don’t use toothpicks in the presence of the recruiter
Don’t smoke unless your companion lights up first
If you are a non-smoker and your partner asks for a table in the smoking section, grin and bear it

14. Career Counseling and Support Services
Power Dining Results
The main issue is deciding whether you and the employer would be a good match
Employers look for excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a meal is a good place to show such qualities
It is a time to judge how the candidate interacts with others
Someone who is good at one-on-one situations might not be great in a group setting
The meal shows the candidate’s potential as a team player and his/her ability to move from one setting to another

15. Career Counseling and Support Services
Check out this video

16. Career Counseling and Support Services

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