In today’s age of social networking – which is conducted mostly in front of a computer screen and with minimum human interaction – it’s good to revisit the rules of something as basic as a business/networking meal.
Here are some tips for mastering business/networking dining:
- Have a supply of business cards in your pocket to hand out to your new network.
- If you’re the host, it’s up to you to ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions, manage the pace and mood of the meal and pick up the tab.
- Unlike a number of years ago, alcohol is out as a staple of the business lunch – unless it’s a special meal or celebration.
- Until everyone arrives at your table, don’t touch or eat anything. Instead, make sure you’ve introduced yourself to everyone at your table before sitting down. Use a firm grip and make good eye contact. Remember to exchange business cards.
- There is an easy way to remember which bread plate and glass are yours. Just remember BMW: bread on your left, meal in the middle and water/wine on your right.
- The host signals the beginning of the meal by placing a napkin on his or her lap. If you must leave the table, place your napkin on your chair. At the end of the meal, don’t re-fold your napkin. Simply place it to your left. Do not place it on your plate (or push your plate away from yourself).
- Not sure which knife or fork to use? Simply use your cutlery in order from the outside in.
- Bread should never be cut with a knife. Instead, break it in half over your bread plate (or your main plate if a bread plate is not available), then break off a bite-size piece, butter it and eat it. Repeat for every bite.
- Don’t talk with your mouth full, or chew with your mouth open – or talk too much.
- If possible, turn off your cell phone/Blackberry or put them on vibrate. And don’t constantly look at them. It’s rude to send text messages during a meal at any time!
- Sit up straight, keep your elbows off the table and mind your manners, which includes not drinking or eating too much.
- If conversations stall, ask someone a question. Food, travel, and entertainment are interesting topics anyone can talk about.
- Ensure to thank the host before you leave and bid a farewell to other table guests.
- Offer/suggest to meet someone for coffee if you wish to continue to network outside of the event.
Attending networking events provides an awesome opportunity to meet other professionals who are currently in a career you are interesting in and seeking more information about. You can ask them questions about educational requirements, what their job entails, what their company is like to work for, job seeking tips, or if they know of any job openings that might be coming up in the near future. People are more apt to suggest and support an individual they have made a strong connection with to apply for an un-published job vacancy.
