I’ve not interviewed under a high stakes situation for a very long time. So it’s hard for me to relate directly. I’m sure if I really needed a job, or I was really excited for a position it would be different.

All the interviews I’ve taken in the last 10 years have been with passing interest on my part. And I go into it more as an interview of the company, and much less care about if they think I’m hitting some arbitrary bar. For me its been a pretty freeing approach. If they pass on me, I can respect that I wasn’t a good fit (and the feeling was probably mutual). And like someone else posted in the comments it allows for me to completely disregard stupid questions.

I recognize that it’s a luxury to have that kind of approach. Additionally I think drinking prior to an interview is completely fine.