Not all interviews are created equal. There’s the phone interview, the panel interview, the series of interviews. And chances are most of us will face the dreaded lunch interview. Yep, while being pelted with questions, you’re busy worrying whether lettuce is stuck in your teeth.

Your concern is well-founded, because interviewers often use lunch interviews to gauge a candidate’s confidence level. Do you nervously pick at your food, or get flustered when a condiment stains your sleeve? Or, a prospective employer may want to observe you in a social setting, particularly if the position you are chasing requires sophisticated client service skills, for example.

There is some good news on the table! If you’re being asked to a lunch interview, chances are your prospective employer is seriously considering you for the job. Further, lunch interviews can be more relaxed and informal than office interviews, giving both parties an opportunity to speak more openly about key issues.

Here are some tips to help you pass the test with flying colors, while also passing the bread:

• Follow traditional interview rules.
  Be prompt, dress appropriately, shake hands, speak clearly, etc.
• Observe basic table manners.
  Put your napkin in your lap. Don’t put your elbows on the table. Chew with your mouth closed and wait until you’ve finished chewing before answering a question. While it is important to talk about your experience and qualifications, you don’t want to do it with a mouth full of pasta.
• Avoid messy or difficult foods.
  Why add more pressure in an already stressful situation? Order something that is easy to break or cut into small bites and chew. And if you’re a picky eater, try to choose from the menu without over-complicating your order.
• Don’t over-order. 
  While it is always safe to assume that your host will pick up the tab, that doesn’t give you the green light to order filet mignon. If you are ordering first, choose something moderately priced. If others order before you, follow their lead and order something similarly or lower-priced. Same for dessert—don’t order it unless others do. 
• Remember to say “thank you.”
  It may seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many job seekers forget to thank their host. And, if you really want to stand out from the competition, send a written thank-you note.

Perhaps the most important advice is this: follow the leader. Watch what your interviewer(s) do and take your cues from them. By observing these guidelines, you just might get to have your cake and eat it too!