How to Shine in a Restaurant Interview

Written By: Sandi MacCalla, Founder - LifeSkills Academy ~ 9/8/2025

If you’ve been invited to an interview over lunch or dinner, take it as a compliment—it means the company views you as a strong contender. Employers use this type of setting for several reasons:

1. Evaluating social skills: It allows them to observe your conversation style, manners, and how you interact with others.
   
   
2. Checking cultural fit: They get a sense of how you’d represent the company with colleagues and clients.
   
   
3. Observing grace under pressure: Even in a casual environment, they’re watching how you manage yourself in a situation that feels slightly outside the standard interview room.

Tips to Master the Restaurant Interview

1. Do Your Homework
   • Look up the restaurant in advance so you know the location, parking, and menu.
   • Plan to arrive about 10 minutes early.
   • Stay current—review company updates and skim the latest headlines.
     
     
2. Mind Your Manners
   • Tap into your dining etiquette training.
   • Follow your interviewer’s lead
     • let them choose the table and take their seat first.
     • Be mindful of price; order something modest and easy to eat.
     • Assume the host will pay—offering to split the bill can feel awkward.
     • If alcohol is mentioned, only accept if they order first, and even then, keep it minimal.
       
       
3. Remember: It’s Not About the Food
   • The meal is secondary to how you present yourself.
   • Show attentiveness, respect, and polished communication.
   • Keep the conversation engaging, but don’t veer into topics like salary or perks unless the interviewer initiates it.
   • The right role will feel like a natural fit for both you and the employer.
     
     
4. Follow Up Promptly
   • Send a thank-you email within 24 hours.
   • Keep it short, personal, and professional.
   • Mention a highlight from your discussion to reinforce your interest.
   • Express gratitude for their time and reaffirm your enthusiasm for the position.

At the end of the day, a restaurant interview is less about the entrée and more about showing professionalism, adaptability, and character. Make the most of the opportunity, and you’ll leave a lasting impression.

For more insights, you might also check out:

1. Lunch and Dinner Interview Tips – The Balance
   
   
2. 6 Steps to Making the Perfect First Impression | Resume Target Blog
   
   
3. Salary Expectations

LifeSkills Academy educators are professionals, some with academic backgrounds, and all have proven success in the world of commerce. We feature online learning in:

• Etiquette/Social Intelligence
• Financial Skills
• Adulting Practices

Join our email list to receive updates and details, click here!

Written By: Sandi MacCalla, Founder - LifeSkills Academy ~ 9/1/2025

Imagine you are a Human Resources Ninja tasked to fill a new, pivotal leadership role for a start-up thundering its way upward. Thousands of resumes arrived overnight with no end in sight. The ball is in play!

Is your resume one of thousands or ‘the one?’

From this perspective, take another look at your best-yet resume and start putting ‘finishing touches’ that best convey who you are. Here are key points to target:

• Is the most important information at the beginning?
  • Why? Make it easy to engage the interviewer. If they have to hunt for key points, they may not read the whole resume and move on to the next one.
  • Easily display your name, contact information, and the position you’re applying for.
  • Why are you applying for this role?
    • List work experiences that best align with the position in descending order of impact.
    • Include relevant metrics and the achieved result. For example:
      • Increased sales revenue 33% within six months by implementing a targeted marketing campaign.
      • Streamlined processes, reducing project turnaround time by 21%.
        
        
• Eliminate buzzwords, cliches, and unexplained jargon.
  • Alphabetic acronyms can be used after the full name is spelled out first. Example: Public Utility District (PUD)
    
    
• Use Active/Passive Voice appropriately.
  
  
• Be concise, professional, and clear.
  • Long, technical descriptions of your work experience/skills quickly lose a reader’s interest. A helpful, free resource:
    • Hemingway Editor (hemingwayapp.com)
      
      
• Check out this resume tutorial on YouTube for more excellent tips.

Here are other resources that I found helpful and practical.

• Best Resume Format for 2024 [Guide & Templates] (zety.com)
  
  
• 35+ Best Resume Tips to Help You Land a Job in 2024 - Resume Genius
  
  
• Soft Skills Explained - and the Top 7 for Your Resume | TopResume

“Remember, even a Jedi Master prepares for job interviews.
Ready yourself, you must.”
― Padmé Bright

LifeSkills Academy educators are professionals, some with academic backgrounds, and all have proven success in the world of commerce. We feature online learning in:

• Etiquette/Social Intelligence
• Financial Skills
• Adulting Practices

Join our email list to receive updates and details: info@lifeskillsacademy.expert 

Written by: Sandi MacCalla – Founder, LifeSkills Academy – 8/25/2025

The hidden job market (unadvertised jobs) is a goldmine for proactive job seekers. By tapping into this market, you will access roles with less competition and often find positions more aligned with your skills and aspirations.

First of all, why is there a Hidden Job Market? This video is helpful to know how to approach it. I used these techniques and 10 years later retired from a unique industry role that did not exist.

Here are key strategies to help you unlock unadvertised opportunities.

1. Network, Network, Network
   Actionable Tips:
   • Attend Industry Events: Conferences, seminars, and workshops are excellent places to meet industry professionals and learn about unadvertised job openings.
     
     
   • Join Professional Associations: Many industries have professional associations that offer networking events, job boards, and other resources.
     
     
   • Leverage LinkedIn: Connect with professionals in your industry, join relevant groups, and actively engage by commenting on posts and sharing valuable content.
     
     Resources:
   • Meetup for finding local professional events.
   • LinkedIn Groups for industry-specific networking opportunities.
     
     
2. Reach Out Directly
   Actionable Tips:
   • Cold Emailing: Identify companies you’re interested in and send tailored emails to hiring managers or department heads. Express your interest in the company and how you can add value.
     
     
   • Informational Interviews: Request brief meetings with professionals in your field to learn more about their roles and companies. This can often lead to job referrals.
     
     Resources:
   • Hunter.io to find professional email addresses.
   • Indeed’s Informational Interviews tips - how to conduct these meetings.
     
     
3. Utilize Social Media
    Actionable Tips:
   • Follow Companies on Social Media: Companies often post about job openings and company news on their social media channels.
     
     
   • Engage with Company Content: Commenting on and sharing posts from companies you’re interested in can increase your visibility to their HR departments.
     
     
   • Use Hashtags Strategically: Search for job-related hashtags like #hiring, #jobopening, and industry-specific tags to find unadvertised positions.
     
     Resources:
   • X (formally Twitter) and Instagram for following and engaging with companies.
   • LinkedIn Hashtag Search to find relevant job opportunities.
     
     
4. Volunteer or Freelance
   Actionable Tips:
   • Offer Your Services: Volunteering or freelancing can get your foot in the door and demonstrate your skills to potential employers.
     
     
   • Target Nonprofits and Startups: These organizations often have fewer resources for traditional hiring processes and are more open to bringing in help through non-traditional means.
     
     Resources:
   • VolunteerMatch to find volunteer opportunities.
   • Upwork for freelancing gigs that can lead to full-time roles.
     
     
5. Stay Informed
    Actionable Tips:
   • Subscribe to Industry Newsletters: Keep up with industry trends and company news to identify potential hiring needs before they’re advertised.
     
     
   • Google Alerts: Set up news notifications related to companies and industries you’re interested in.
     
     Resources:
   • Feedly for organizing and reading industry news.
   • Google Alerts for topical notifications.

Unlocking the hidden job market requires a focused, proactive approach, a well-developed network, and the willingness to get out there. By following these strategies, you will uncover opportunities others may miss and find a job that perfectly fits your skills and ambitions.

Happy job hunting!

LifeSkills Academy educators are professionals, some with academic backgrounds, and all have proven success in the world of commerce. We feature online learning in:

• Etiquette/Social Intelligence
• Financial Skills
• Adulting Practices

Join our email list to receive updates and details, click here!