Informal interviews over coffee

So you have secured an interview (yay – congrats). However, it’s down at the local cafe, not in the office…. What does this mean? What do I wear? What do I order? Who pays? Can I order food?

An informal interview over coffee is a great opportunity for both the interviewee and candidate to get to know each other in a more relaxed setting. This type of interview is often conducted when the prospective employer likes a candidate’s background, however doesn’t have a specific role for them at the time, or perhaps it’s more of a culture fit, initial stage interview.

An informal interview is one hundred percent worthwhile even if there isn’t a position currently available, as it can help to establish a long term relationship and be front of mind for potential career opportunities in the future.

What are the advantages of an informal interview?

Informal interviews are less focused on a candidate’s qualifications and more so on getting to know the person on a deeper level – their attitude, personality, and communication style.

It’s also a great way to see if they would be a good cultural fit for the organisation. Even though these interviews are more relaxed, it’s important to remember that you’re still being evaluated and thus should remain professional throughout the conversation.

Things to remember before your informal interview:

Prepare

As with any job interview, good preparation is key to success. Conduct some research into the company, its mission, values and corporate culture.

It is also a good idea to review your resume to freshen up on strengths and achievements that you may like to highlight. This will help you feel more confident and better able to make sure your discussion leaves a positive lasting impression.

Arrive Early

Arriving early for an interview gives you the chance to choose a good place to sit that won’t be too noisy or distracting. It also shows the interviewer that you’re punctual and value their time.

Additionally, it’s always better to arrive and be ready to impress rather than rushing and arriving flustered.

Dress appropriately

For a coffee interview, there’s no need to dress in overly formal attire, however, you equally want to show that you have made effort and that you take the meeting seriously.

Smart professional clothing that is not too casual or revealing is recommended. It also depends on the role you are applying for. I like to say it’s better to over-dress than under-dress. A full suit and tie might be overdoing it, however also step it up from your workout wear (unless you are applying to be a personal trainer).
Accessorise your outfit – rather than wearing that crazy Hawaiian shirt, add an accent to your outfit with a memorable brooch, ring, glasses or even a scarf.

Follow the interviewer’s lead

Let the interviewer set the tone for the conversation. Some interviewers like to keep things light while others prefer to stick to formal, job-related questions.

If the interviewer brings up topics unrelated to the position, such as your favourite football team or travel, feel free to engage in conversation about these topics as long as it feels natural. If the interviewer seems more businesslike, follow their lead.

Be mindful about what you say

In an informal job interview, it’s important to still be aware of what you share or don’t share.

Avoid speaking negatively about your current colleagues or position. Instead, focus on industry topics to show that you’re still capable of being professional in an informal setting.
It can also be easy to start sharing personal stories in a relaxed setting such as a café, but saying too much may not be favourable. Try to stick to topics that are relevant to the job at hand.

Be mindful about what you order

In an interview setting, it’s best not to order food. The interview itself may be more casual, but the main purpose of the meeting is to have a professional conversation.

Having food will be a distraction and problematic when trying to talk in between mouthfuls. Nothing worse than eating with your mouth open, or hearing that loud chewing sound, or worse still – slurping of soup….. food stuck in your teeth. Definitely cringe-worthy.

Worse still – do you have food allergies/intolerances? Imagine – “Oh I’ll have the eggs on toast, but must be gluten-free, make sure the eggs are well cooked, hollandaise on the side, hold the mushrooms, no bacon”. Food intolerances aren’t your fault – but boy you’ll look like you are hard work. You don’t want to give them any reason to think you are…. especially if you’re not.

Thank the interviewer for the coffee

The interviewer will be happy to pay for your coffee. There’s no need for you to offer to pay, but expressing your appreciation is always a nice gesture. Thank them before leaving and let them know how much you appreciate their time. This is also the same with food, if it ended up going down that path.

Follow Up

Sending a thank you note after an interview is a great way to strengthen a relationship that can be useful for future opportunities.

It shows appreciation for the person’s time, and it leaves a positive impression that can be helpful later on.

Whether or not you get the job, taking the time to say thank you is always a good idea.

Some FAQs around informal interviews and coffee

What if they insist that I order something to eat in the interview, what do I order?

Then think of something that;

Won’t easily get stuck in your teeth – no to poppy seeds
Isn’t messy or sloppy – no soup, eggs or pasta
Nothing that will totally fall apart when picked up – eg a burger
Something inexpensive (don’t order the caviar) – as it could be awkward if the interviewer is paying
Something you would use cutlery with is a good option – rather than fingers

What is safe to eat in an interview?

If you 100% must order something to eat.

Good options to order at brekkie;

Toast and butter – this is fairly clean and not messy
Porridge – not a bad brekkie option. Seems unlikely to get stuck in your teeth and is something you can look slightly more graceful eating
A muffin – simple, cheap, not messy – just a few crumbs

Good options to order at lunch and dinner go for;

Hot chips – this is something that can be shared – not messy and easy to still eat, yet still focus at the same time
A biscuit, however not too crumbly
An entrée. Cheaper than a main. Something to nibble on and possibly share

What if I don’t drink coffee?

That’s ok – you don’t actually have to order a coffee if someone invites you for a ‘coffee’.

For some people, coffee makes them jittery. So ordering a coffee during an interview would be a BAD idea.

If this is you think about ordering one of these instead;

Chai – the hot drink coffee alternative
Order a peppermint tea – super calming
Maybe a juice – shows you are health conscious
Or even sparking water is fine

Drinks to never order in an interview;

Alcohol – I can’t really see any type of interview where this is really appropriate. The only time would potentially be at the very end of the interviews process and they are taking you out for a drink to meet the team after work. Cap it at one drink though!
Milkshake – We all love them, and sometimes you have a craving for that blue heaven milkshake, however during the interview is really not the time. Like it or not, it will make you seem immature. You don’t want to be the interviewee that was ‘the one who ordered the loaded milkshake’
Hot Chocolate – again you will seem a little odd – sorry

What if I’m too nervous to drink anything in an interview?

Yes, this can definitely happen. If this is the case, you might need a little interview coaching to help settle your nerves.

I still remember interviewing a lovely candidate years ago, who was so nervous, she was shaking so much that she was jiggling her water as she took a sip – you could see it swishing like a wave pool. However this didn’t change our opinion of her in the interview. It just made it more obvious that she was extremely nervous, so we took our time with her, trying to make her feel at ease.

Another candidate, I remember they shook so much that they knocked over their water. I’m sure they were mortified. However yet again, it didn’t hinder what we thought of him.

So, if you think you will be too nervous to hold a cup without shaking it, then just don’t order anything. Just have tap water, and don’t touch it unless you are parched and it will help you talk.

Remember, they are asking the questions, trying to get to know you, they won’t notice if you did or didn’t touch the water – that won’t be your big impact or lasting impression. If you don’t get the role because you didn’t drink the water, then that job isn’t for you.

Final Thought

It is important to remember that although coffee interviews are casual in nature, they are still an interview. Silence your phone, stay professional and be considered with your answers, highlighting relevant strengths, weaknesses and experience. By investing a little time and effort to prepare beforehand and avoiding common mistakes, you are sure to impress.

Written by Emma Moore. Based in Bayside in Melbourne, Emma has spent 15 years in Corporate Talent Acquisition roles in global organizations across Consulting, Professional Services and Telecommunications. Emma has tertiary qualifications in Psychology, Business (Human Resource Management) and Careers Development and Education. Emma has read and provided feedback on thousands of resumes, interviewed hundreds of candidates and made those all important hiring decisions with her stakeholders. Emma is in a unique position to enable you to represent yourself in the best possible way. She knows exactly what prospective employers like to see and hear throughout the application and interview process as a result of being ‘on the other side of the fence’ for so many years.

Want to work with Emma? Contact her today to set up a Resume, LinkedIn or Interview Coaching session.