Job interview taking place outside the office?

I’m interviewing for an analyst job with this event planning company. The director (she’s also the owner) scheduled the interview to take place at a local Starbucks. I have never had an interview offsite before and I’m a little nervous. Any tips? I don’t drink coffee (I hate coffee actually). Should I order tea? Should I order anything at all? She told me to dress casual. I’m freaking out, not sure why…. since I’ve had many interviews in the past. But all of them were on-site, formal etc.

Thanks for any tips.

Answers:
She may be interviewing off site so that the staff is not aware of it. Maybe she plans to replace someone or she just wants to get to know you in an informal setting. I would suggest getting there first, order tea or juice and then she can do as she wishes about coffee and talk with you about everything.
This is not as uncommon as you think.
I've had offsite interviews. Usually jsut a little more casual and relaxed which is ok. Just have coffee or tea. No food.
I once asked a hiring rep if we could meet a Starbucks for the interview as I thought it would be a nice change of pace. I turned out to be a bust because I would have hated working there, anyway and I was only semi-interested in the company.

Order something cold, it'll give you hands something to do.
Possibly the owner wants coffee and wants you to be relaxed. Just be yourself.
I would be sure and dress at least career casual. Dressing up shows professionalism and that you care enough to take the time to look well kept. You don't have to order coffee, just don't mention you hate it or you could embarrass her, since she suggested starbucks. Just wait until she orders and have some tea. No food though, or she may ask you something as soon as you take a bite. Don't worry so much. Show your confidence, shake her hand and look her in the eye.
Relax. Follow her lead. If she orders something do the same. Order tea if you don't like coffee. Don't tell her you don't tell her you don't like coffee.

Good luck.
If it's a small business, maybe her "headquarters" is the back room of her house and she's not comfortable with that. Make sure you ask where the offices are, how many employees there are, where you would work out of, why has this position opened up,

If you don't like Coffee, they should have water at Starbucks. I would also expect her to at least attempt to pay for whatever you've selected. Letting her pay, is your choice.
If it was a man, I'd be a little nervous. It doesn't matter that you don't like coffee, check over their menu before you go. They have this strawberries and cream thing that has no coffee and it is very good. She probably scheduled it at Starbucks to relieve the nervousness you get at an interview. When an employer says dress casual, I would still wear a pair of dress pants, etc. I think she just means you don't have to wear a suit. Good luck.
Telll her how you feel immediately after you sit down as casual conversation. A place like Starbucks for an interview is very unusual because is very noisy. This means she may not be as experienced as you think. So, relax. Be yourself and act normal. A way to not get so nervous is as I mentioned before, tell her you are nervous and research the company; find out all you can about it and anticipate some of the questions she is going to ask you. You can do this by looking up at the job description of the job. Based on that she is going to ask you questions. Good luck!

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