Getting your dream job can start with something as simple as displaying proper dining etiquette. That's according to LuAnn Coldwell, senior assistant director of Career Services at the University of Akron.
Students were taught the the do's and don't's in etiquette while enjoying a five-course meal with potential employers at this year's "Wine, DIne and Act Fine" event.
"You always have to be prepared. That interaction can reflect on you and also the folks you work for, Coldwell said. "Why not get a little bit of a polish, so that you feel really confident."
Coldwell says one of the most common mistakes during a dining interview is forgetting what you are there for. She says it's important to pay attention to how you sit, eat and if you know how to use the proper utensils on the table.
The meal you have with a prospective employer may be the only chance you have to make a lasting impression.
"A meal is often part of the interview process," Coldwell said. "But that's where decisions are made on whether you get the opportunity to do that work."
You're not there to enjoy a free meal, according to Coldwell. She says job candidates are there to show off your communication skills and ability to work under pressure.
