Pressed for time, many employers opt for lunch interviews as this makes use of that lunch-hour. A lunch interview is simply an interview held over lunch. So, it you have been called for a lunch interview, you will need to know a few things.

Etiquette:

Do not worry too much about lunch interview etiquette.Employers are more interested in your ability to do the job than your table manners although a certain level of education and manners have to be shown. If you follow the normal table manners you will be fine.

However, do not sneeze on food, be rude to the waiter, get drunk, place elbows on table, speak with your mouth full of food and chew with your mouth open.

Nitty-gritty:

Check out the restaurant. Many restaurants have a website, so the menu could be on their site. If not, stop by and have a look.

Choose a small, light meal. You will be talking more than the interviewer, so s/he will finish first.

Avoid meals which give you a strong breath or which require a lot of chewing.

Avoid things that have a lot of fluid, such as soups.

Avoid things that are hard to eat such as lobster and the like.

Give more attention to the interviewer and less to your lunch.

Make sure your lips are clean and wipe them often.

Choose something in the same price range as your interviewer.

Do not complain about the food.

Do not drink alcohol during your lunch interview.

If unpredictable situations happen during the lunch interview, stay composed and show a sense of humour.

Who pays:

If the interviewer requested a lunch interview, s/he will pick up the bill If you have initiated contact and requested a lunch meeting, then the bill is yours.