"A Glass of Wine the Night before an Interview? Don't do it!" - 03/17/21 Edition
Stephen Says Column




Dear Stephen,

I want to share a story about what happened to me in the hopes I can prevent your readers from making the same mistake I did.

I had been interviewing for a VP of sales job in Dallas. The company flew me down the night before and set me up in a very nice hotel. I came in a day early to be fully prepared for an entire day of interviewing. Everything before this had been via Zoom.

I wanted the job and was excited about it. I was a little stressed out about the flight but it went smoothly, and I looked forward to the job interview, especially since I am out of work, and it's a great company and brand. I started to order room service, but hey, this was Texas, so no mask needed, and I had a chef salad at the bar. At first I ordered a Coke then I thought the caffeine might keep me up so I ordered a glass of wine instead, just one to take the edge off and help me sleep. I lingered over the salad so I ordered a second glass of wine and called my wife while relaxing there.

When I finished eating I went to my room and made sure my clothes were ready for the next day, double-checked that I had the hard copies of my resume for the interviewers, said my prayers and went to bed. I slept more restless than usual, and it was not my nerves — it was the wine. I woke up with a tiny headache and drank lots of water, had a light room service breakfast but felt I needed three cups of coffee to kick-start the day.

Here is the thing, I wanted to look and feel perfect, but my eyes were a tiny bit bloodshot, and there was a slight puffiness. Maybe no one would notice. I hoped I did not smell like wine — ugh! Why did I order even one glass, no less two? I certainly had not gotten drunk but just the idea of the liquor in me made me feel "off," real or imagined. It just changed my mood and attitude when I should have been at the top of my game. So something that seems harmless backfired on me. Lesson learned.

Some people think having one glass of wine makes them relax and maybe sleep better, but it is a well-known scientific fact consuming alcohol before bed can wreck your sleep and affect your energy the next day. The night before a job interview is one where you should leave out last night's sleep. I was on the road, so maybe that made it more tempting but this could happen even when you are interviewing locally. My question is not even a statement even though you are the advice guru: Do not drink the night before an interview! The good news is I got the job but I think I just lucked out because that day was not my best interview, and it could have gone the other way. Thanks for letting me share.

Signed,
Wine Lesson Learned
 

Dear WLL,

Well, that's an appropriate story for St Patrick's Day!

Drinking and interviewing — even the night before — is almost as bad as drinking and driving. People do not realize how they may look or feel the next day. Do not do it. Sleep is the most important thing before an interview and like you said, alcohol can destroy a good night's sleep. How you look and feel, and your sharpness and performance during the interview can be affected too, not to mention that faint smell of alcohol on your breath. For that matter, do not try anything new or crazy that will throw you off. It's bad enough being out-of-town, in a different time zone and a strange bed, don't make it worse. That is not just a glass of wine, it could be a Botox treatment (that should be two weeks before) or a new haircut or hair color or even a new outfit. Keep things fresh but normal and what you are used to so you are at ease.

Alcohol and business don't mix, even at a lunch or dinner interview where your host is drinking. If you feel a need to order a drink just a glass of wine, just to be sociable, do so but barely touch it. Consider it a prop.

I haven't said much here, because Mr. Wine Lesson Learned did a pretty complete job of it. I'm no prude about drinking, but please, on what could be an important career move that directly concerns your income and you and your family's future, just lay off the alcohol the night before the interview.

Stephen