Getting a job these days is no longer just a matter of good academic background or interviews. Another factor has been influencing it these days. Good eating manner of the prospective employee has been a new factor of job for employers in recent days.
Schroeder Career Center, on Tuesday, April 10, organized Manners Dinner which gave an opportunity to about 20 Wallies to learn rules to dine properly in a formal event. Through the event the students learned some tips to eat in a good manner with the prospective employer or other professionals. The career center invited Anthony Cawdron, Event Coordinator at Purdue University, to teach the students an art of eating.
“Eating manner holds a lot of importance these days; especially it is important while getting jobs,” said Anthony Cawdron. “It is not necessary a tool required by everyone but it never hurts to have courtesy.”
According to Cawdron, the quick rule of dining includes basically a few important things such as: not keeping elbows on the table, chewing with the mouth closed, holding the silverware correctly, keeping the feet flat on the floor and sitting up straight.
“I really liked the presentation that Mr. Cawdron made. He presented a perspective on manners that spanned not only the professional world, but the world in general,” shared Cole Jeffries ’10 after learning some tips on eating manners.
The cultural norms and customs could also affect the dinning manner. It may be sometimes odd while you don’t find yourself fitting in it. “The customs may follow either of the two schools of thoughts while eating; one leaves some food on the plate and other does not,” added Cawdron. “The culture which expects you to leave some food on the plate will assume you expect more when you empty your plate.”
When asked about what to do if offered alcoholic beverages, Cawdron said, “You accept the offer but remember to drink in a professional manner, don’t drink much which makes you out of control. It is wise to take longer to drink or better just take a soda.”
Cawdron also clarified what you need to do if you are asked to order first, “If they ask you to order first, go first; don’t make, “no you…no you” situation,” he said. “Also while ordering the food try to make decision as quickly as possible, employers like to see you not the menu that covers your face while choosing. But if you are unfamiliar ask the hosts about the specialty or other questions,” he added.
“He went through global differences in etiquette through part of the meal and then at other times he would tell us how to act at a dinner party while we aren't even eating or sitting at a table. It was in general a good polishing experience for anyone to attend because it was about manners in general and not only those for dining,” said Jeffries.
The event not only consisted of eating in a proper way but also included how to write or respond to invitation, how to choose location, and how to deal with other key factors such as choosing table, special needs or requests and direction.
Cawdron further mentioned that paying attention to see that everything has been passed to all guests is also an important manner. Additionally, one should also make sure that he/she does not make others wait to finish. Last but not least, it is always a good courtesy to write a thank you note to the hosts.
“We have been organizing manners dinner annually for some years,” said Stephanie Hopkins, assistant director of Schroeder Career Center. “We also organized a presentation by Peter Post last semester and a dinner for juniors which were similar to this event,” she added.
Getting a job these days is no longer just a matter of good academic background or interviews. Another factor has been influencing it these days. Good eating manner of the prospective employee has been a new factor of job for employers in recent days.
Schroeder Career Center, on Tuesday, April 10, organized Manners Dinner which gave an opportunity to about 20 Wallies to learn rules to dine properly in a formal event. Through the event the students learned some tips to eat in a good manner with the prospective employer or other professionals. The career center invited Anthony Cawdron, Event Coordinator at Purdue University, to teach the students an art of eating.
“Eating manner holds a lot of importance these days; especially it is important while getting jobs,” said Anthony Cawdron. “It is not necessary a tool required by everyone but it never hurts to have courtesy.”
According to Cawdron, the quick rule of dining includes basically a few important things such as: not keeping elbows on the table, chewing with the mouth closed, holding the silverware correctly, keeping the feet flat on the floor and sitting up straight.
“I really liked the presentation that Mr. Cawdron made. He presented a perspective on manners that spanned not only the professional world, but the world in general,” shared Cole Jeffries ’10 after learning some tips on eating manners.
The cultural norms and customs could also affect the dinning manner. It may be sometimes odd while you don’t find yourself fitting in it. “The customs may follow either of the two schools of thoughts while eating; one leaves some food on the plate and other does not,” added Cawdron. “The culture which expects you to leave some food on the plate will assume you expect more when you empty your plate.”
When asked about what to do if offered alcoholic beverages, Cawdron said, “You accept the offer but remember to drink in a professional manner, don’t drink much which makes you out of control. It is wise to take longer to drink or better just take a soda.”
Cawdron also clarified what you need to do if you are asked to order first, “If they ask you to order first, go first; don’t make, “no you…no you” situation,” he said. “Also while ordering the food try to make decision as quickly as possible, employers like to see you not the menu that covers your face while choosing. But if you are unfamiliar ask the hosts about the specialty or other questions,” he added.
“He went through global differences in etiquette through part of the meal and then at other times he would tell us how to act at a dinner party while we aren't even eating or sitting at a table. It was in general a good polishing experience for anyone to attend because it was about manners in general and not only those for dining,” said Jeffries.
The event not only consisted of eating in a proper way but also included how to write or respond to invitation, how to choose location, and how to deal with other key factors such as choosing table, special needs or requests and direction.
Cawdron further mentioned that paying attention to see that everything has been passed to all guests is also an important manner. Additionally, one should also make sure that he/she does not make others wait to finish. Last but not least, it is always a good courtesy to write a thank you note to the hosts.
“We have been organizing manners dinner annually for some years,” said Stephanie Hopkins, assistant director of Schroeder Career Center. “We also organized a presentation by Peter Post last semester and a dinner for juniors which were similar to this event,” she added.