Etiquette dinner is learning experience

11/13/09
By Daisy-ree Quaker
Staff Writer

Imagine that you are at a dinner when you bite something you just cannot eat; what do you do?  The knee jerk reaction would be to spit it out discretely into you napkin, right?

Wrong. That piece of food should leave your mouth the same way it came, using your fork; you are to put it back on your plate.

This was among many of the little gems of formal dining etiquette that about 60 UWS students learnt at the No Gigs for Pigs Etiquette Dinner hosted by Career Services’ Kathy Pykonnen and Betsy Gregg.

The event, held in the Rothwell Student Center Ballroom, began with a networking social where students were encouraged to “work the room” and meet the 9 employers in attendance. A three-course meal and fashion show were also part of the roster.

Kathy Pykonnen, who presented at the event, covered topics such as how to seat at a table, how to conduct yourself at a meal, and how to dress business formal or business casual.

Her goal was to give the attendees “confidence in a social dining situations.”

So how important are such events?

Pykonnen believes they are absolutely important, dining interviews are bound to occur.

“Employers compliment us all the time that these events are necessary,” she Pykonnen.

In her experience, there have been recruitments at every career event, including etiquette dinner.

Lisa Hebens, a representative from State Farm, said that she interviews agent candidates through dinner very frequently.

“Probably 100 per cent of the time,” she said.  Although this was her first experience, she said she “enjoyed it immensely.”

John Casto, from Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, sees mistakes not just at the dining table, but also in interviews. Candidates sometimes come to an interview without researching the company and coming without questions to ask the interviewer.

Praise for the event was also on student’s lips.

“[It was] fantastic - something that is needed, especially for seniors,” said Lucia Stanley, a senior English major.

 Becky Williams, a senior exercise science major, echoed the sentiments, and encouraged fellow students to attend such events.

“[It’s a way of ] being active in their own career future,” Williams said.

Career Services plans to host another etiquette dinner in the spring. The event is free to UWS students, and all are encouraged to attend. The Career Services offices are currently located in the basement of RSC in room 21.

Top ten interview mistakes

1. Don't Prepare
2. Dress Inappropriately
3. Poor Communication Skills
4. Answering the cell phone
5. Talk Too Much
6. Don't Talk Enough
7. Fuzzy Facts
8. Give the Wrong Answer
9. Badmouthing Past Employers
10. Forget to Follow Up

Information courtesy of About.com