I always get the same question from candidates who are scheduled to have dinner with the hiring manager as part of the final step of the hiring process. What do I do if the hiring manager orders a cocktail? Do I follow suit? Fair question – right? My answer is always the same. Order water, iced tea or a soft drink as that is always the safe path to getting through the event without making an idiot of yourself. Just say no.
Other recruiters I have talked to about this topic have a similar answer while others suggest ordering a single cocktail or a glass of wine and "nursing it" throughout the entire dinner to demonstrate your ability to handle a social setting while maintaining control. I guess that works as well, provided you are not inspired by your dinner host/hiring manager when he or she is ready for another cold one and then another…. a real dilemma for some, and a simple solution for others. Some hiring managers may use this opportunity for adult libations to let you loosen up a bit so they can really get to know you, while others are innocently trying to be hospitable. In any event, I always encourage my candidates to refrain entirely and take the high road. What's your take here FOT Nation?
Two quick alcohol related on-boarding stories from my fellow search buddies. One was a guy who accepted a position on a Friday and the company, eager to have him on-board quickly, improved the start date to the following Monday. This was, of course, time for celebration – and I mean celebration! Apparently he celebrated all weekend about his new job and was barely sober enough to make it into the office on Monday. Unfortunately for him, anyone who was five feet from him when he walked in the door could detect an odor that gave them a strong indication as to what he'd been up to all weekend. Bad plan.
Our other rocket scientist was a sales guy who joined the organization a week before the company holiday party. You know where this is going right? Yep - you guessed it! In an effort to really fit in and "feel" part of the team – he decided to get tanked. And he apparently did a nice job!
Both of these brilliant individuals were terminated immediately for their inability to use good judgment, plus other charges that go with making the poor choices in their use of alcohol. These were recent stories – so it shows you how bad their judgment really was! Let's evaluate this a bit more - shall we? Bad economy plus near double digit unemployment and an overall very tough job market, and they make the brilliant decision and use (really) bad judgment with alcohol and both lose their jobs. Go figure.
I think Dean Wormer of "Animal House" said it best: " Drunk and stupid are no way to go through life." The Dean was right!
As Nancy Reagan so succintly put it, “Just Say No.”
My rules of thumb has always been, I pay for my own alcohol and I don’t buy drinks for others. Some may consider this to be unsocialable. It is more practical and pragmatic. I retain control over my rate of consumption. Also, free drinks increase consumption. (similar to the utilization rate of free health care). Finally, I will not encourage accelerating anyone elses rate of consumption.
That all being said, I have never been in a job interview situation where this was a problem.
You definitely hear a bunch of horror stories regarding drinking and office parties. There is a company where I live in DC that has a huge Christmas Party (thousands) and most employees are only a couple years out of school. Needless to say, there are some legendary stories!
One recruiter I know filled a position where ordering a drink would knock you out of the running. The hiring manager took all the candidates to lunch and she would order a cocktail but if you followed suit, she felt you couldn’t stand on your own and take the more difficult road.
Good feedback for all who posted. Saying no is ALWAYS the best made plan.
I know managers that won’t hire someone if they don’t order a drink. I think making a hiring decision either way is stupid. It’s just a drink – if the manager orders one feel free to do so if you want. If they are playing a game to see if you would order one – do you really want to work for them? I know that’s hard to accept in today’s job market. Also, do we have to censor our movie quotes because this is an HR forum? It’s “fat, dumb and stupid is no way to go through life.”
Make that “fat, drunk and stupid”. I shouldn’t have had that cocktail at lunch!
Thanks for the clarification Tom. Managers that make a decision NOT to hire someone because they choose NOT to consume adult beverages seems (very) … OK sad to me. There are lot of people I know that are true professionals that simply don’t partake in adult beverages by choice. That is no reason to eliminate them as a candidate if they are otherwise qualified. C’mon!
Uh…
I have to disagree. If the employer has an open dinner and bar and they invite you to drink you should feel comfortable ordering an alcoholic beverage. Same thing for inviting candidates out to a bar afterwards – why not?
Sure there are horror stories – from people that over indulge. This article has a very basic message and it’s not “don’t drink”. The message is: don’t be an idiot.
Another thought – do you really want to work for someone who is trying to “trick” you. If there is any testing that is going on, usually its of the most sensible judgment nature. IOW can you order, and slowly sip, something light. Consider time of day, type of meal/restaurant, American vs. European setting, etc. I’ve never felt pressure to go beyond a spritzer, or campari and soda, or something else more symbolic than alcoholic. And while you’re at it, with or without alcohol don’t go to an interview meal with an empty stomach.
I’m glad you bring this up for discussion. Drugs and alcohol are making workplace impacts. The subject deserves high point attention.
Thanks Maureen and I agree – this topic deserves a lot of attention.