<p>I applied for an HR generalist position (I am currently working as an HR Lead). I received a call from the manager and I returned it today. We mostly discussed what I do now, and some details about the position to see if I would still be interested and a potential good fit. It was not really a phone interview, just a bit of an introduction. </p>
<p>He said he likes to meet with people for a casual chat over coffee before doing a formal interview, just to see how he gets along with the person. He feels that since you work together all day, 5+ days a week, you might as well make sure you're compatible coworkers. This makes sense to me since I don't get along especially well with my current manager (mostly difference of opinion and approach to things) and it does make things difficult. So I am meeting this manager next week at a local diner. </p>
<p>I have never had this type of meeting before. I have had several interviews, but never a casual chat before an interview. He told me I can dress down in jeans, but to bring a copy of my resume.</p>
<p>Since this is not an interview, what kind of conversation should I be expecting? I expect to ask more questions about the company and the position (I've already done my own research into both, but I'd like his perspective). Or will he be looking for more casual discussions less focused on the job, since it is not an interview?</p>
<p>What kinds of topics should I raise, if not directly job related? I will of course have questions about the position, but I don't want to be drilling him. Any feedback on this type of experience would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I have had one of these meetings before, and I can tell you that you are grossly overreacting to the situation. You have already done everything necessary for this meeting to be successful. You’ve researched the company and position, and hopefully you have a general idea of who you are and what you want to do in the future. This is just a friendly meet-up and you simply cannot control whether your personality will be compatible with this person.</p>
<p>Approach this with a relaxed attitude, not a rehearsed one, and let the cards fall where they may.</p>
<p>I don’t believe I have overreacted to anything? I merely asked what kind of conversational topics to expect so that I am relaxed and not thrown off by anything. I am an HR lead (manager), so I am excellent at interviews, and have a strong resume and cover letter. I just never had a casual chat at an off-site location (and don’t do them myself with applicants) - and he stressed that this will not be an interview, so I don’t know how much talking he’ll do about the job or how much he’ll ask me about my experience, is all. I am certainly not asking how to make my personality compatible with his, that’s ridiculous. We already got off to a great start on the phone. I just like to have a few appropriate conversational topics on hand in preparation because I am not so great at winging a casual conversation with someone I’ve never met, unless it’s in a structured interview. So, basically, I want to know if I should talk only about the job, or if other topics will likely be introduced.</p>
<p>I think that you are reacting appropriately to this situation. I actually went through the exact same process around this time last year, as I was recruited for a new position (maybe it’s the same company! :-P). First, I had an informal phone interview - like you said, to be sure I met a baseline standard. Then, I went out for drinks with a director since we were both in the same city at the time. Last, I had a super day at their HQ in another city, before getting an offer a couple weeks later.</p>
<p>The meeting for drinks was very casual. We had a general conversation about different things, and the conversation naturally led to work. It felt like an information session for both of us - he asked questions about my experience and personality, and I asked questions about the working environment and the actual work. I still dressed formally and still prepared as if it were a full-fledged interview, and I am glad I did so.</p>
<p>For full disclosure, I was impressed with the company and everything seemed right, but when I weighed my options, I decided that switching jobs was not the best choice for me at the time.</p>