For many students, a meal with a potential employer sitting just across the table from them could be a nightmare.
Trying to figure out what to say, which fork is theirs or what to do if offered an alcoholic beverage are just a few of the obstacles they may face, Tara King, assistant director of the Career Center said.
In order to ease students' apprehension, the Career Center sponsored an etiquette dinner Thursday night in the Alumni Center. About 70 students paid the $10 to come to the once a semester dinner.
Interviews for jobs may include a meal, King said, and students can easily get too relaxed during this type of situation.
"I don't think people realize sometimes that this is a part of the interview process," she said. "If you get out of your interview mode, bad things can happen."
Sophomore Natty Walker, who has attended an etiquette dinner, said he knew etiquette was important but wanted to get some instruction from professionals.
"I wanted to go because I wanted to learn how to interact with potential employers in a business setting at a meal," he said.
King said they teach the students the appropriate topics for conversation during these interview meals. Students should still be showcasing their skills and abilities.
"I think etiquette dinners are a good idea because they teach skills that can become a necessary part of your career," Walker said.
At the beginning to the event students are first given 15 minutes of instruction on networking skills. They are then sent into a room with snacks and practice using the skills they just learned about, King said.
"It's basically an opportunity for them to practice networking skills," she said.
While networking faculty members are among the people in the room to make the experience more realistic, King said.
"Even the practice of balancing your beverage and plate of food with one hand so you can shake hands with your other is a good idea," she said.
After the networking session, students sit down to a three-course meal.
"They sit down and eat the whole time, and while they're doing that, we talk," King said. "We try to keep a good pace so nothing gets cold, but we kind of instruct as we go."
Some rules taught include serving others before you serve yourself, knowing which water glass is the correct one to drink from and knowing which silverware to use and when.
"We don't cover everything, but we cover some of the basic rules," King said. "It's a matter of trying to help them be polished."
Sometimes students are instructed on what to do in potentially embarrassing situation, she said. Walker said he experienced one such situation during his etiquette meal.
"A funny part was when my friend, Jared, broke his glass during the meal, but it actually brought up a situation that could occur, but they don't normally cover in these programs," he said.
Walker said students were instructed that if this sort of incident happens during a professional dinner, it is usually best just to get the attention of a waiter so someone can come clean it up.
"The most important thing I learned is that the salt and pepper shakers are married, and even if someone only asks for one, you always pass both together," Walker said.
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