How to Not Get Hired: Drink or Hold Alcohol
My job interview for my current corporate position included, for some reason, discussion of visiting bars on the Jersey shore to listen to mediocre cover bands. While in my future manager’s office, we were not actually drinking. It’s a good thing there was no alcohol during the interview, because rather than winning the job, if we had alcohol it’s less likely I would have been hired.
That’s the conclusion of a recent study conducted by University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. According to the research, drinking alcohol during an interview triggers an “imbibing idiot bias.” Even if the interviewer offers the drink, and even if the interviewer is also drinking, the job candidate who drinks alcohol is less likely to receive the job offer.
The study goes even further. Just holding an alcoholic drink is enough to significantly reduce the probability of receiving an offer.
They found that job candidates who ordered alcohol in simulated interviews were perceived as less intelligent and less hireable — though no less likeable, honest or genuine — than those who did not, regardless of whether the boss ordered an alcoholic beverage first.
Moreover, even if the boss ordered the drink for the job candidate (i.e., the candidate did not choose to drink), the result was the same. This suggests that the imbibing idiot bias does not reflect a belief that less intelligent people are more likely to consume alcohol, but rather an implicit association between alcohol and cognitive impairment.
It may be true that the real business often takes place after hours at the local bar. Being in a social environment with the people you work with can be beneficial for networking and advancement. However, if you are interested in managing others’ perception of your intelligence, the study suggests staying away from — not just avoid drinking — wine, beer, and other alcohol while in the presence of others.
Have you ever participated in a job interview over a drink?
Read the study or the news release.
Article comments
My most recent job interview took place at the office at first, and moved to a nearby bar with the VP. I got hired.
I’ve never had a job interview where alcohol was offered or drank, but I thought the same as bucksome…I just figured if the interviewer was doing it, it was alright if you did as well, but not required.
Test
I have never had an interview with drinks, but have always thought that in this situation you follow the lead of the senior person. Interesting that it isn’t true.
It just confirms that human behavior can be unpredictable, and unfair, on the surface. I would suspect you could find similar studies for hair length, tattoos, whether the job candidate was “good looking”, or any other superficial appearance/social norm.
In this climate of high unemployment, whatever edge it takes, to improve your chances of being a successful candidate is probably worth the effort!
I gotta say, research have TOO MUCH TIME on their hands! lol.
I’ve never interviewed a candidate over a drink, although I have taken out an employee after they’ve got hired for a drink.
The researchers might as well research whether one has a better chance of getting a job if they have a picture of the interviewers spouse naked or not!
Best,
Sam
Many years ago we had a young man come in to interview for a laboring job. When he left, he forgot to take his glasses case with him
… which was holding his pot and smoking paraphenalia.
He didn’t get hired.
Back in my school days I used to coordinate companies coming to town to interview. And many times we went out for drinks. If I didn’t have an interview setup personally, this would always help me get one. And if I already had an interview, this often helped close the deal. Sometimes a little alcohol can help the getting to know you process and also show that you will have the ability to socialize with clients later on.
This is the opposite of what you might think would happen. Seems like have a drink together would be some kind of a bonding experience. It’s got to be very unusual for this to happen during most interview processes anyway, though.
So wait a second…you’re telling me there’s at least one negative to drinking alcohol?
No, I have never participated in an interview that was over drinks. But at work a few months ago, we had a random woman call to ask us if her son’s urine would test positive for alcohol when he went in for his drug screen if he went drinking the night before! (Our company works with kids….no idea why she thought we would know the answer).
Unless you are apply for a job as a master brewer, it’s probably not the best idea in the world to have a beer in hand.
What if you’re holding a simulated alcoholic drink?
Did the study make any distinction between different types of alcohol. I could see wine and classier liquors (Scotch, etc.) creating a different perception than beer and shooters. (I’m a beer guy myself)
That’s a good question. The study did look at different typesbof drinks, like wine, beer and soda. The effect was the same for wine and beer ans there was no effect with soda.
So you’re saying I *shouldn’t* be wearing a beer helmet to my job interviews? This changes everything.
But what if it was for a Beer Helmet Factory job?