Today, we are discussing how our behaviour in social settings can influence positively or negatively our professional lives.
Has anyone of you ever invited a candidate to lunch or dinner before signing the final contract? Has it ever happened to you? It happened to me many years ago in Spain.
When a company invites a preselected candidate to a lunch or dinner, it means they have a genuine interest in that person.
However, they want to ensure that the candidate possesses a series of qualities that will make them ideal for the offered position.
During that lunch or dinner, the candidate will be putting their future on the line, and the recruiter will analyse a series of behaviours that will determine whether the person is suitable for the open position.
Some points to consider:
a) They will observe whether the candidate is punctual and if their personal appearance is appropriate for the occasion and the venue.
b) During the meal, they will assess whether the potential employee has good communication skills, especially outside the work environment, and even more so if other people from the company have been invited (HR, Direct Supervisor), etc.
c) They will closely observe the “small talk”.
Is the candidate someone with good interaction skills and good General Culture?
d) The choice of the meal from the menu will be important in determining whether the person is “moderate” or excessive. Ordering an expensive dish is not well regarded (it happens more often than you might think).
e) The good table manners will be put to the test. If the basic rules of behaviour at a well-set table are not known, it will not be a point in the candidate’s favour.
f) The behaviour and treatment they show towards the restaurant/hotel staff will be important for the recruiter.
Although in some countries, it is not yet a common practice, in some others, it has been done for years.
In summary, the lunch invitation during the selection process serves multiple purposes, including assessing social and communication skills, getting to know the candidate better, evaluating their adaptability to the company culture, and testing their Business Etiquette skills.
What do you think?
Let us know your experiences and start a chat!
EDDA
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