<p>My daughter just made an appointment for her first interview with a college alumni representative. It will take place at a Starbucks -- apparently, this is a popular interview site nowadays since some colleges forbid interviews at either person's home.</p>
<p>What's the protocol for such interviews? My daughter is particularly wondering whether people order anything, and if they do, who pays?</p>
<p>Well I haven't done a college interview at Starbucks but have done plenty of business meetings there. The protocol my crowd follows is, you wait until both people are there, then someone says, "if we are going to meet here we better buy something" and the other says "yeah," you go through the line each getting and paying for their own preference in drinks, snacks or both, while making small talk and getting acquainted, then find somewhere to sit and chat about the business at hand. If the meeting runs long, and there is no line, you can go for seconds.</p>
<p>Marian,
Although We haven't had this situation, my first instinct on reading your post would be to tell my child to deliberately get to the Starbucks a bit early and order something she wanted. Then let the interviewer decide for herself if she cared to indulge. Your D could always break the ice by saying, "Hi, nice to meet you. Sorry, but of course I didn't know whether you would like anything to drink." Does that make any sense?</p>
<p>Edit: I cross-posted with dt123 and I'm not sure which idea would work better for your D. It's a matter of what she would feel more comfortable doing.</p>
<p>the first thing you should worry about is whether your daughter and the interviewer have the same Starbucks in mind!
With starbucks on every corner , some across the street from each other, it is easy for mistakes to be made.</p>
<p>I suppose you would have to order something- to sit there- I expect each would pay for their own.</p>
<p>Yes, a fast food place is very commonly used for college interviews. If possible, your D should let the interviewer know what she will be wearing so that she will be recognizable. If your D arrives earlier, she should wait until the interviewer arrives then say something along the lines of: "I have not ordered anything yet, as I did not know what you might like." Usually, the interviewer will order something and probably ask the applicant if s/he wants something, too. And usually, the interviewer, being an adult with a paying job, will offer to pay. If not, the applicant should pay for his/her own drink. Don't order food as well as you can't really talk around mouthfuls.</p>
<p>
[quote]
the first thing you should worry about is whether your daughter and the interviewer have the same Starbucks in mind!
With starbucks on every corner , some across the street from each other, it is easy for mistakes to be made.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>My daughter was very careful about that. And the interviewer exchanged cell phone numbers with her -- on the grounds that sometimes she goes into a coffee shop to do an interview and she doesn't know which of the many kids there is the one she is supposed to meet. Clearly, this woman has done this before!</p>
<p>What's most important is:
1. Making sure that one is at the right Starbucks: Exchanging cell phone #s in case there are mix-ups or lateness.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Telling your D to get there early and sit or stand there like she's waiting for someone. Earlier this year, someone posted that their kid missed an interview at a coffee shop because the kid had her head in a book. The inteviewer came in, didn't see anyone who appeared to be waiting for her, so the interviewer went outside and waited to no avail. Remember that a student who appears to be studying in a coffee shop will look like the student is in h.s. or college and is there -- studying -- not waiting for an interview.</p></li>
<li><p>The interviewer will probably order something for himself/herself and may offer to pay for the student. If so, it probably would be best for the student to decline so that the student doesn't worry about eating/drinking while interviewing. Since the interviewer selected the place, the interviewer is the one who needs to buy something to "rent" the space.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I am an alumni interviewer who has held several interviews in Starbucks and similar coffee shops. I am careful to give precise directions and street addresses. Exchanging cell phone numbers is always a good idea. </p>
<p>I have always offered to buy coffee/tea or whatever for the interviewee. They usually decline, which is fine. The important thing is to try to relax and have the interview be as much of a conversation as possible. If having a cup of coffee helps that, by all means have one. If it will get in the way of the conversation, then decline, but don't focus too much on the beverage question. Let your personality and accomplishments shine through in your conversation and you will do well.</p>
<p>I am a college freshman who had two interviews at Starbucks last year. Both times, I purposefully arrived a few minutes early and bought a drink before my interviewer showed up. This helped to soothe my nerves and gave me something to hold during the interview, which kept me from fidgeting. Then the interviewer came in, introduced himself, and excused himself to buy his own drink.</p>
<p>It wouldn't hurt to tell the interviwer what she'll be wearing. And, by all means, if she has a t-shirt or sweatshirt from said college, all the better. My son's most recent interview was in a local coffee house suggested by the interviewer and it just happens to be my son's favorite. The sign of a good fit?</p>
<p>
[quote]
I am a college freshman who had two interviews at Starbucks last year. Both times, I purposefully arrived a few minutes early and bought a drink before my interviewer showed up. This helped to soothe my nerves and gave me something to hold during the interview, which kept me from fidgeting. Then the interviewer came in, introduced himself, and excused himself to buy his own drink.
[/quote]
I am an alum interviewer, and have had many interviews at Starbucks. Ampersand did the right thing in my book. </p>
<p>I think that each party should pay for their own refreshment. My interviewing area can be up to 45 minutes away, and, quite frankly, since the cost of gas is mine and I'm taking my own time without compensation, expecting me to pay for the applicant's (inevitably overpriced) drink also is a little much. Last year I met with nearly 20 applicants, so the costs of this volunteer work adds up.</p>
<p>Actually, I don't like Starbucks for interviews. It is very loud there. When in my own locale, I always suggest meeting at our largest library, which is wonderful with all of its nook and cranny seating areas. The other area libraries aren't quite as nice, unfortunately!</p>
<p>Make sure that the interviewer has a phone number to reach you. My son had arranged an interview with the admissions director who was traveling to our town. It was all done by email. With the last confirmation email I told my son to give the interviewer his phone number. The morning of the interview the phone rang and it was the admissions rep calling from the airport with news of a flight delay.</p>
<p>I conduct many of my interviews at coffee shops. I also think Ampersand has it right. However, if I arrive first, I always offer to pay for the interviewee's beverage. While applicants are free to order what they want, I do think it's odd when the applicant orders an extra large of the priciest drink in the house.</p>
<p>I absolutely agree with the suggestions to tell the interviewer what you'll be wearing or a pertinent physical detail and to look like you're looking for someone. I don't like going from table to table of young people asking, "Are you Applicant X?"</p>
<p>Or, carry a favorite book and tell the interviewer you'll be the one reading that book. For a bookmark, use a letter from the college and let it stick out so that someone walking by can see it. The advantage to this is that it can be prepared in advance, and is not subject to a last minute closet crisis. Also, you'll have something comforting to read in case the interviewer is late, and a handy topic for discussion if the conversation lags.</p>
<p>I'm an alum interviewer. I would offer to buy the Starbucks. </p>
<p>IMO, the most important thing you can do is to tell the interviewer what you look like and ask him what he looks like! I've met people in coffee shops for interviews; met CCers for drinks or dinner; met parent's friends for talks. It is SO helpful when you can get a rough description of what the person looks like, so you aren't standing around, looking every which way, all confused, and hope that the other person recognizes you by the deer-in-headlights look. (I have very long hair, so I usually wear it down and tell people to look for the woman with the long hair. It works.)</p>
<p>"Or, carry a favorite book and tell the interviewer you'll be the one reading that book."</p>
<p>Having the book on the table makes sense to me because it could serve to identify one. Having one's head stuck in a book when one's expecting to meet someone, however, sounds either disinterested or like one is so unassertive as to not have what it takes to survive in the often swim with the sharks atmosphere of the top colleges where interviews can be tip factors in admissions.</p>
<p>As an alumni interviewer I've started emailing a picture of myself to the interviewee, if we've set up the meeting via email. I want to reduce their stress as much as possible, so no worries about "who is this guy I'm supposed to meet at Starbucks?"</p>
<p>When I do interviews at my local coffee shop (independent, not Starbucks ;-), I take the college viewbook and put it on the table in front of me. That works pretty well.</p>
<p>I typically offer to buy students a drink, but am secretly pleased if they already have one or excuse themselves to buy their own.</p>
<p>I agree with people telling your daughter to arrive early, get a drink and a TABLE first. Starbucks are always packed in my area and often it is hard to find an empty table. Getting there early and landing a table where it is more secluded should be paramount. It would be awkward if the both parties met up, got their drinks and there is no place to sit down.</p>
<p>Some of my D's sorority interviews were in Starbucks type places, the college ones always took place on campus or in an alumnus/i home. When I interview prospective freshman for either my college or Greek organization, I use our county rec center as they have tables/chairs on the viewing deck.</p>