Landed a second round interview with two VPs in a boutique firm. I am supposed to have a formal interview with one of the VPs and go out for drinks after.
Any recommended drinks for someone who doesn't drink that often? I don't want to kill the post-interview vibe when it's time to hold casual conversations with them.
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Honestly, there is no such thing as a recommended drink. If you're not a big drinker, keep it simple and easy. This way you're not thinking too much about it. Brand names and easy orders are your friend.
Liquor and Soda (ex. Rum and Coke, Jack and Ginger) is always a good choice. Maybe have a beer and keep it simple (again, pick a big name that you've had before because it's not going to be too crazy). Unless you end up going to a place that's known for cocktails, in which case you can't go wrong with anything, no one is going to judge you for having what you want.
Not to scare you but I can tell you this is not 100% accurate. You are being scrutinized on everything you do whether you like it or not. I once ordered a rum and coke at a superday and a 2nd year analyst said "what, are we in highschool?" Keep in mind this is anecdotal but I wouldn't recommend ordering a vodka cranberry, don't do anything to draw unwanted attention to yourself.
My go to is vodka soda in social situations, it's well respected as well as helps keep you hydrated after a long day of interviews.
yeah but what is a 2nd year analyst? Also just a guy who was at Uni 2 years ago, wouldn´t care about his opinion what I choose for a drink. If they don´t hire me for that I would never ever wanted to work at a place like this.
I would recommend against getting a Bahama Mama with him before you land the job.
Seriously though, I just had gin and jam for the first time and it may be my new favorite drink. But reiterating what Frieds said, try to keep it simple if you aren't much of a drinker.
First go-to: mirror their order. "One of those sounds great" is a fine strategy.
Alternate: get a beer. If you dont drink much, don't go toe to toe with liquor. Drink it slow and stay relatively sharp. You might finish 2 beers for their 3 cocktails.
^^^this
if you don't drink a lot and they're ordering bourbon neat, you'll look like a chooch if you can't get it down. just get a vodka soda, gin & tonic, or a beer. keep it light
I'd go vodka soda, if you spill, it's clear.
I second vodka soda. Also, whiskey sour. Mature and great drink.
Dirty martini, stirred, ketel one, blue cheese olives, be sure you say "make it filthy" and wink at the waitress when you order. If it comes with two olives, send that shit back.
Solid - especially considering there are at least three or four people i work with who i can imagine doing that and looking like total assholes. Fantastic.
Do I still wink if it’s a male?
Especially if it's a male.
Just chug some Nyquil
.
"Bartender get me an Overthinker. And make it a triple!"
VSCI
I kid you not I've had numerous people in a business setting compliment me for picking out a Chimay. I personally could care less what everyone orders, but a) I love Chimay and b) people seem to think it's always a solid choice.
This guy drinks. Chimays are awesome.
Go for gin and tonic. Keeps you from getting booze breath. After one, just get a tonic and lime.
Vesper Martini, shaken not stirred
bombay and lemonade
Double Everclear on the rocks
Mojito
Corpse Reviver #2
Dig your command of classic cocktails but most middling barkeeps don't know how to make that nowadays.
Just drink beer, is it an East Coast thing where that's not acceptable or something and everyone orders mixed drinks or liquor?
jesus fuckin christ just order a beer
So much trash advice in this thread. Ordering a drink with the VP after the interview isn't rocket science. Ordering a drink is something every man (and nowadays, woman) needs to know how to do. It's not complex, but there's essential rules - just like dressing for work. Do these simple things well and without looking like an oaf, or a tryhard, and you will be accepted. Here's a few steps to consider in your situation, in order of importance:
Basic social intelligence 101 - don't deviate too much from your drinking mate's order. If they do beer, do a beer, or a simple mixed drink. If they drink a cocktail or neat liquor, do the same (if you can handle it). It's (somewhat) subtle, but you want to communicate that you have the social intelligence and self-restraint to follow cues. CAVEAT: If your order is taken first, then go ahead and get what you want - it's more important in this situation to show confidence in your choices than it is to guess what your table mate will enjoy.
When drinking with new acquaintances, don't order something obnoxious - @m_1" recommended a Corpse Reviver #2 and while this is an excellent drink, the waitress will have to ask what it's called twice, the bartender won't know how to make it, your table mate will find all this rather loud, and it will make for social turbulence. Stick to drinks that anyone will know how to make.
Shine: If you want to make an impression with your drink, order something simple, made well, and do it with authority. When the waitress asks what you want your martini made with, don't say "whatever" and don't say whatever plastic handle drek you're accustomed to drinking at the local college town watering hole. If you're drinking vodka, go with Goose/Stoli/Ketel One - something quality but not over the top. If it's gin, bombay sapphire/tanqueray (I reccomend tanq 10). This logic applies with all liquors, wines, and beers. Think it out ahead of time with a few options for each so that you know what you're going to get. Ordering a grown-up drink with a grown-up brand of liquor will do more to impress your interviewer than perhaps anything else in this situation.
Follow the lead. If another round is ordered, go ahead and join.
Hard stop rules
Dont attempt to impress people by acting like you know more than you do. This reeks of desperation.
Don't get sloppy. If that means sitting it out even when the others go full-steam ahead, so be it. You're here to cinch a job, not lose face and forget what was said.
If offered the lead on any decision, take it and don't be afraid to make clear your limitations. When people with authority over you offer you the reigns, they are looking to see that you know how to wield them responsibly - that is, comfortably, but within your limits. If you're asked to pick a bottle of wine and you really aren't familiar, just say this. If you are, then go ahead. You get my drift.
Agreed, though I'd say that it's ok to order something less classy than what they order, but never get something that's significantly classier. Ie if they get a beer, you should also get a beer. If they get a cocktail, you get a cocktail OR beer. If they get a glass of wine, get whatever you want. The reason for this is that you'll come off as an asshole who is trying to outclass them if you order a nice glass of wine and they order a Blue Moon, and you'll look like an alcoholic if they order a Blue Moon and you order a Long Island Iced Tea (an extreme example, but you get the point).
If they suggested going out for drinks after the formal interviews, they either already intend to give you the job, or the drinks are part of the interview. I tend to believe it's the latter. Assuming it's the latter, you have two options as I see it.
The first is to confidently order something relatively weak. If you don't drink a lot it would be a mistake to get a martini. There is a reasonably good chance that you will have more than one drink. After all, I can drink a martini in 15 minutes without thinking too hard about it. You need to be able to have at least two of whatever you order, so if you can't drink two martinis without getting tipsy, order something else. Gin and tonic is fine as is vodka & soda.
The other option is a bit riskier, but perhaps more endearing if you sell it appropriately. If you don't drink a lot because you're a 22-year-old kid who only recently graduated from college, just say so. The VP is probably 28-30, and has been grabbing business drinks a lot longer than you have. If you haven't spent a lot of time in high-end cocktail bars, admitting to that isn't a negative. Falsely projecting confidence when you don't know what you're doing is fairly transparent. Admitting you don't know a lot and asking for a suggestion from the VP might not be the worst way of making conversation.
Do you know the nature of the place you're going for drinks? Is it a dive bar, a cocktail bar, a private members' club? In any of those locations, you can grab a beer. Only in a cocktail bar should you ask for something like a Corpse Reviver, Old Fashioned, Old Pal, Vieux Carre, etc. Most members' club have shitty bartenders (in the sense that they're not adept at making cocktails outside some fairly basic ones). At a dive bar, you can only really order straight alcohol, beer, wine or very simple mixed drinks (gin and tonic, whiskey and coke, etc.).
Just don't do something weird like order a glass of champagne. Champagne is for celebrating, not after-work drinks (though I do love my champers).
Negroni baby! Try to have 2 and stay awake haha.
Legitimately good suggestion, if you do coctails
Seconded. Funny that you mention it’s sedative powers - recently had an interesting Negroni spiked with some cold brew coffee while waiting for a table at Frenchette - not too bad as a pick-me-up.
This shouldn't be a question as you should know your favorite beers, favorite mixed drinks, etc already. Just order something that you like and fits with what they're drinking (i.e. if the VP orders a light beer, don't get a double Vodka soda and give the vibe that you're there to get bombed)
Here are my favorites though if that's what you're looking for:
Common Beer you find everywhere - Blue Moon, Corona, UFO White, Harpoon IPA, Miller Lite if we're doing cheap light beers
Liquor / Mixed Drinks: G&Ts - usually Hendricks because it's a safe and unobtrusive choice, but sometimes something more involved - like the Botanist gins right now. Vodka on the rocks - pick something decent like Goose, Kettel One, etc. if you do this. Well Vodka on ice with colleagues is a savage move. Scotch neat / on the rocks depending on the mood - I like Lagavulin a lot, but will settle for Talisker, McCallan or certain Glenlivet bottles unless there's something exotic I want to try Other Whisky - Bourbon, Some Japanese Whiskies - For cheaper bottles I like Four Roses, Bulleit, Makers, Woodford Reserve I don't get sugary mixed drinks because I'm not looking to get obese. 7 Sugary cocktails can be more than a thousand calories of sugar. On top of the booze and likely food. With banking hours, that's a tough sell.
Always go with the margarita. Shows class
My God this is a ridiculous thread... but I can't help but comment for some reason...
Here are my suggestions:
Option 1: Be genuine, confident and humble. Do not get or do something that you are uncomfortable with whilst also avoiding to come across as uptight. Do things with confidence even if that means admitting ignorance or inexperience. As Sting said, "it takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile, Be yourself, no matter what they say."
Option 2: A Rum and Vanilla Old Fashioned made with golden rum and real vanilla pods or vanilla syrup is an excellent cocktail. Additionally, it's easy for the barman to make whilst also being off the menu (if you think ordering off the menu is important for some reason). It's strong though so watch out.
Option 3: Take charge of the situation. Decide what you want and order 6 of them. 3 for you, 3 for your interviewer. Bonus points if: a) it has an inappropriate name like sex on the beach, b) it tastes disgusting like a Rob Roy c) it's shots, d) it's whisky and you treat your interviewer with contempt for putting ice in it.
If you can't drink em under the table just make sure you order the second round and get the bartender to do your G&T without the G. Nothing worse than getting drunk at that point.
Penicillin!
Can't go wrong with the crisp refreshing taste of the Rockies....
if you order a shot of tequila... im hiring you on the spot
The blood of my enemies.
Just order beer. Know what kind of beer.
I always ask, "what kind of pilsner do you have on tap?" Then I go with the first one she points out.
simple
Budlight
Dr. Pepper and 151... seriously, try it.
A whiskey/bourbon neat. Four Roses Single Barrel is good. Or a standard Old Fashioned. Keep it simple.
Personally, I think a gin & tonic is a reliable choice. Tastes good, is respectable, and doesn’t give the impression that you’re “trying too hard.”
Alternatively, order what you want and if they ding you for it, the firm is probably an unpleasant place to work anyway.
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