Don't Be THAT Guy at a Business Meal

I don’t know about you, but one thing that really scared me was the thought of having a business lunch or dinner with an employer.  I was always that person who would spill things, drop crumbs on the table and dig right into my dish.

Photo Credit: Tumblr

I will say one thing; working at Career Services this year has taught me a lot about dining etiquette and helped me understand why it is so important to everyone.  We have things like the Dining for Success event which is a way to practice and learn proper ways to eat tricky foods, presentations and so much more. 

Here is a video that quickly summarizes do’s and don’ts of dining:

Knowing dining etiquette is important.  According to “The Top Ten Etiquette Tips For The Business Dinner or Interview” by Hank Coleman, “Many of today’s business meetings, sales meetings, and job interviews take place over the dinner table. Sometimes these meetings are at a restaurant, and other times they are in a corporate dining hall. But, when the big deal or job is on the line that is not the time to realize you do not know which fork to eat your salad with.”

 

Here are some quick important tips you should remember:

·         Don’t start eating until you host or hostess has done so

·         Do not cut large sizes of food and try to shove it in your mouth, cut small bite size pieces instead

·         Place your napkin on your lap before you begin eating

·         Start on the outside and work your way in when using your silverware

 

You have all the resources you need for great dining etiquette. So make sure you drop by Career Services so you aren’t that guy at your business dinner.

Photo Credit: Jim Naughten/Getty Images

Ashley Salim

Career Educator

Stay Positive With Your Job Search

If you follow the career services' social media, you may have read this article already.  It’s called “Tips for Staying Positive In a Job Search” found on http://blog.resumebear.com. As I read this article, I was able to relate.  I am a senior graduating in just a couple weeks, so I know more than anyone just how tough and emotionally draining the job search can be. I’ve gone through many ups and downs, but staying positive is the key.

Some of my favorite tips from the article are as follows:

Stay away from whiners and complainers

You are probably already on edge and emotional.  If you are surrounded by people that constantly whine and complain, they are only going to bring you down further.  Find people who push you and energize you!

Do Exercise

Exercise releases endorphins.  Endorphins make you happy.  Take a quick walk, go to the RAC, dance or whatever else it may be.  This will help from keeping you down and will motivate you on your job hunt.

Change your attitude by looking at the positives
Ask yourself: What went well today? What are the three best things I did in that interview? These questions will help you keep the right attitude.  Things are always going to go wrong with every situation, but it’s how you look at the situation that really matters. Attitude is everything!


Celebrate Small Successes
“Focusing on the small wins gives you the energy and confidence to tackle the bigger challenges that you know still lie ahead.”


Let Yourself Have a Bad Day
Job hunting is an emotional thing.  Everyone has ups and downs, so let yourself be emotional. 


For me, a lot of this has been easier said than done, but everything on this list has helped a ton.  Try it yourself and let us know how it works for you!


Ashley Salim
Career Educator


Photo Credit: Ms. Career Girl