I attended a STARR Career Center Workshop for Dining Etiquette. Terri Thompson taught us about how to conduct ourselves at a formal dinner or a job interview that involves eating. She was telling us the proper way to load your plate and the proper way to eat with utensils. She also suggested a price range for what you should order if they’re paying which is a dish in-between the lowest and highest priced meal. Usually though, these interviews are conducted at a buffet and her advice there is just not to load too much onto your plate and to go back for seconds if you want more. Alcohol in the casual business environment was also discussed and what you should do in the event that you are offered alcohol while on a job interview. Some people said that you should follow what the person interviewing you is doing but ultimately Terri said that alcohol should be avoided altogether. She also suggested not to try to carry too many things back from the buffet table at once and to just make a second trip if you need something else like a drink or napkins. We also learned basic manners such as where to put our bags while we eat. In addition to this she also gave advice on proper attire for both women and men. This workshop helped me realize that I do need to plan and start to prepare for my future beyond Baruch. Before I went to the workshop I didn’t really think about what’s to come after I graduate from Baruch and find a job. My thoughts were limited to only the next 4 years ahead of me. Its hard to think about the future when you have so much to do in just the next week but this workshop did remind me that there is more that I work toward for long after I leave Baruch.
