Prime 10 Restaurant Interview Questions (Solutions Included)

By Mike Simpson

Calling the restaurant trade large appears like an understatement. In complete, there are roughly 14.5 million folks employed at eating places across the nation. In the event you’d like to affix them, then nailing your restaurant interview questions is a should.

Fortuitously, you will get shifting in the correct route with a number of suggestions and a little bit of observe. If you wish to be sure to’re prepared, right here’s every little thing it’s worthwhile to find out about tackling restaurant interview questions.

Find out how to Reply Restaurant Interview Questions

Earlier than we take a deep dive into the highest ten restaurant interview questions, it’s vital to spend a second speaking about your technique. When you can evaluate details about what the hiring supervisor may ask, there’s at all times that they’ll throw a curveball your means. However when you have the correct technique by your aspect, you’ll be prepared, making certain you’ll be able to provide up a unbelievable reply on the fly.

In the US, there are practically 661,000 eating places. Every one goes to be a bit totally different, even when it’s a part of a sequence. Nevertheless, most are going to look for a similar form of candidates.

For servers, professionalism, friendliness, and the means to stay calm below stress are all very important. The identical goes for multitasking, group, and timeliness. Teamwork is vital in eating places, so cooperative, supportive candidates often have an edge.

On the subject of cooks, group, timeliness, teamwork, and thriving below stress are equally important. In addition they want data about cooking and prep, together with fundamental kitchen etiquette.

Whether or not a restaurant is forgiving of a job seeker with little or no expertise can differ. Typically, positive eating eating places would require expertise, as they’re targeted on sustaining a specific customary. Some smaller eating places with restricted workers could as effectively, as coaching somebody from the bottom up isn’t sensible since they don’t have sufficient workers.

Nevertheless, decrease or mid-priced chains with bigger staffing numbers are sometimes moderately open-minded. So long as you convey the correct capabilities to the desk, they’ll doubtless provide you with a good shot at touchdown the job.

So, how do you be sure to impress once you do get an interview? Often, it’s greatest to begin with analysis. As talked about above, each restaurant is totally different. Plus, each place has distinctive elements.

Ideally, you wish to start by taking a detailed take a look at the job description. Evaluation the must-have abilities and expertise checklist first, as these are factors you’ll wish to combine into your solutions. Then, take a look at the remaining for any mentions of capabilities or traits they’re after or descriptions of the tradition that may give you clues about the kind of individual they’ll rent.

Subsequent, head to the restaurant’s web site. Evaluation the mission and values statements to get extra particulars concerning the tradition, and take a look at something listed on the profession web page that describes the setting or vibe.

You’ll additionally wish to spend a bit of time getting accustomed to the menu, together with any new specials. Odds are, the hiring supervisor goes to ask one thing menu-related, so it’s greatest to be prepared.

When you’re performed there, get onto social media and examine the restaurant’s profiles. Once more, you’ll get some insights concerning the tradition, together with information about specials, current achievements, and extra.

After dealing with all of that analysis, you’ll have a greater concept of the kind of candidate the hiring supervisor is after. Plus, you’ll have some good tidbits to suit into your solutions.

So, how do you create a standout reply to any interview questions? Through the use of the correct approach.

Conventional interview questions are moderately simple. Let the hiring supervisor know when you have the aptitude or expertise as a place to begin. In the event you do, you then’ll comply with that up with an instance of you placing the associated abilities to work or discussing the way you acquired the expertise. In the event you don’t, your greatest guess is to focus on your willingness to be taught, as an enthusiastic, open-minded candidate can stand out from the pack.

Now, once you’re prepared with behavioral and situational restaurant interview questions, you’ll have to go in a distinct route. Right here, offering an instance out of your previous or discussing the way you’d deal with a particular hypothetical situation is the core a part of your reply.

Fortunately, for each forms of questions, the identical strategies work. Take the STAR Methodology and stir in a giant dollop of the Tailoring Methodology. In the event you do, you get compelling solutions which are ridiculously related, making it far simpler so that you can make a stellar impression on the hiring supervisor.

Jobs within the Quick Meals Business

The restaurant trade doesn’t simply cowl institutions with desk service; quick meals eating places fall on this class, too. With greater than 197,000 quick meals institutions in the US, they’re additionally an amazing possibility for anybody trying to break into the restaurant trade.

In the end, working in quick meals might help you construct basis abilities that can make it simpler to transition into different eating places. Plus, the hiring necessities sometimes aren’t as strict, so you’ll be able to often land a job even when you have no prior work expertise.

The quick meals trade can also be an particularly good selection for youngsters. Sometimes, it isn’t troublesome to get a schedule that works round a faculty schedule, and the institutions are nearly at all times keen to commerce.

When you could face a number of the identical questions in case you interview at a quick meals institution as you’ll in lots of different eating places, you’ll additionally encounter some which are distinctive to that particular trade. In consequence, it’s clever to take a deep dive into the quick meals interview questions, too, making certain you’re prepared for what lies forward.

Prime 10 Restaurant Interview Questions

Now’s the second you’ve been ready for; it’s time for a detailed take a look at the highest ten restaurant interview questions and solutions. Nevertheless, it’s vital to do not forget that each restaurant is totally different. Plus, most rent folks for quite a lot of jobs.

In some instances, servers will face off in opposition to totally different questions than cooks, managers, bussers, and different folks working within the institution. However a number of the questions are extra common.

With that in thoughts, right here’s a take a look at our prime ten restaurant interview questions and solutions.

1. Why are you curious about the meals service trade?

This is likely one of the most typical questions hiring managers within the restaurant trade ask, and with good motive. They wish to see what motivated you to discover alternatives in meals service, in addition to gauge your total enthusiasm for the trade.

Ideally, you wish to share some insights that showcase your ardour for meals service. They’ll relate to meals particularly, making certain others have a good time, and comparable factors. That means, the hiring supervisor is aware of you’re dedicated to providing nice customer support, in addition to fascinated by meals service total.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“The principle motive I’m within the meals service trade is that I get pleasure from serving to folks. The flexibility to supply somebody an amazing meal is a significant draw, however there’s extra to it. I get pleasure from having the ability to take somebody’s stress away, and making certain they’ve a wonderful time could make that occur.

Plus, folks make recollections once they’re eating out. Whether or not it’s merely spending time with household or buddies or celebrating a significant private achievement, I can play a task in that have, making certain all of their recollections are as constructive as potential.”

2. Do you intend on having a profession within the restaurant trade or shifting on to one thing else? 

Right here, the hiring supervisor is attempting to find out whether or not you view a restaurant job as a method to an finish or the muse of an extended profession in meals service. Moreover, they wish to gauge whether or not you intend on staying an inexpensive period of time, making certain any coaching investments they make in you’re worthwhile.

You don’t essentially should say that you simply’re planning on making a profession out of meals service. Nevertheless, it’s worthwhile to make it clear that you simply aren’t planning on a brief stint, both.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“At present, I’m making ready to move to school to pursue my diploma. Whereas my final purpose isn’t to remain within the restaurant trade, I do intend to stay with one employer whereas I full my research.

Moreover, I really feel the restaurant trade has quite a bit to supply my future profession. I’ll have an opportunity to realize expertise in customer support and work as a part of a diligent staff, each of which I discover extremely helpful.”

3. Describe your prior restaurant expertise.

With this interview query, the hiring supervisor desires an outline of your previous expertise within the trade.

In some methods, this isn’t not like the “Stroll me by means of your resume” interview query, although it is a little more targeted. You don’t should get into nice element. As an alternative, simply faucet on the related factors.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“As of at present, I’ve labored within the restaurant trade for a bit greater than 5 years. Initially, I started as a desk busser and dishwasher, working shortly to make sure that tables have been cleared and prepared for the following set of dinners, in addition to ensuring that any dishes or cooking tools was sterilized accurately.

After that, I had an opportunity to change into a server. That taught me find out how to take orders, handle tables, safely ship meals, and provide an distinctive customer support expertise. Plus, it launched me to a number of the challenges that may include buyer interplay, permitting me to develop strategies to resolve issues ought to they happen.”

4. What’s your favourite menu merchandise right here?

This restaurant interview query provides the hiring supervisor some concept of how a lot you already know about this particular institution. Once you reply, don’t simply title the menu merchandise. As an alternative, add some particulars about why it’s your favourite, giving your reply that little one thing additional.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“My favourite menu merchandise is the apple crumble. It at all times provides me a way of heat and luxury, making it the right strategy to wrap up a tasty meal. Plus, it was my grandmother’s favourite, and she or he used to share hers with me once I was a toddler. In the end, that apple crumble is a part of many completely satisfied recollections, so I at all times order it once I dine right here.”

5. Inform me a couple of time once you needed to cope with a troublesome diner.

Whereas most clients will probably be well mannered and affordable sufficient to deal with, eating places do get some troublesome diners once in a while. The hiring supervisor desires to know in case you’ve encountered one earlier than, in addition to what you do to deal with the state of affairs whereas providing nice customer support.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“In my final job, I had a very troublesome desk one night. There have been two adults and three kids on the desk, and the adults allowed their kids to run round, climb on windowsills, and hassle different diners. It was extremely disruptive, a bit harmful, and harmed the expertise for different clients.

Fortuitously, my supervisor had a strict coverage concerning problems with that nature. I calmly approached the desk and requested that the adults collect up the kids and get them seated, explaining that it was stopping others from having fun with their meal and will even be harmful. Initially, they protested, claiming that they had the correct to permit their kids to roam free within the institution.

At that time, I adopted up by going over the supervisor’s coverage, which concerned asking disruptive diners to instantly go away. Once more, there was some protesting and even a bit of hostility, however I remained calm and stood agency.

In the end, they collected their kids and bought them seated. The remainder of the time they have been there was largely uneventful. Plus, I used to be brazenly thanked by different diners after addressing the issue, and my supervisor even heard about my professionalism. In the long run, the troublesome diners had a beautiful meal, in addition to everybody else.”

6. Have you ever dined at this restaurant earlier than? If that’s the case, what stood out about your expertise?

With this interview query, the hiring supervisor desires to see in case you’re accustomed to the expertise the institution presents, in addition to the way it stood out in your thoughts. Ideally, you wish to tie in part of your response to why you’re enthusiastic concerning the alternative. That means, your reply pulls double obligation.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“I’ve dined at this restaurant earlier than, and what stood out to me most was the dedication to glorious customer support. I commonly noticed servers going the additional mile, all whereas sustaining a constructive perspective. Plus, they continuously assisted one another, similar to working collectively to convey out dishes to a big desk. In the end, that’s a part of why I submitted an software, as the concept of working at an institution like this one, based mostly on what I’ve skilled, is extremely interesting.”

7. Are you able to inform me a couple of time once you needed to work below stress?

Eating places are sometimes fast-paced environments, significantly throughout breakfast, lunch, and dinner rushes. The hiring supervisor merely desires to know you could keep calm and targeted when it will get worrying, so share an instance that makes it clear you’ll be able to.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“At my present job, we ended up unexpectedly shorthanded proper because the dinner rush was about to begin. Being down a server meant each remaining server was selecting up additional tables, which is difficult throughout that point of day. Nevertheless, we have been additionally quick a cook dinner, which might create bottlenecks within the kitchen.

To make the method simpler, we had a fast staff assembly earlier than the dinner rush started. We mentioned the way it may affect service occasions all through the shift, permitting us to provide you with methods to time the seating of incoming dinners and the location of orders.

Whereas it was nonetheless high-stress, having a method allowed us to keep away from overloading the kitchen, tempo seating new diners to stop lengthy waits, and time meals deliveries appropriately. In consequence, we have been in a position to provide an distinctive buyer expertise, all whereas remaining organized, calm, and picked up.”

8. If in case you have a battle with a coworker, how do you deal with it?

Nobody will get together with each coworker all the time. This query helps the hiring supervisor see the way you handle these conflicts.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“If I’ve a battle with a coworker, my first step is to have a non-public dialog with them. Often, I give them the ground first, as the problem could stem from one other downside I’m unaware of. Throughout the change, I depend on lively listening, making certain I totally perceive what they’re sharing and asking clarifying questions as mandatory. Then, I work with them to search out mutually acceptable options, creating compromises that relieve any pressure and permit us to maneuver ahead.”

9. If a diner talked about meals allergic reactions, how would you deal with it?

Meals allergic reactions are comparatively widespread, and eating places usually have diners that request sure meal adjustments based mostly on them or ask for details about what’s ready within the kitchen to make sure their security. With this reply, merely define any steps you’ll take.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“If a diner talked about meals allergic reactions, my first step can be to reassure them that I’m conscious and say that I would wish to talk with the kitchen to make sure we may accommodate it. I do know that totally different allergens contain various ranges of complexity to navigate, so this strategy permits me to make sure that the kitchen is correctly geared up to offer the wanted expertise.

As soon as I’ve the knowledge, I’d return to the diner and description what I discovered. If the kitchen can accommodate the allergy, I’d take the order, clearly noting on the ticket that an allergen lodging was wanted. If not, I’d clarify why it isn’t potential, apologizing for any inconvenience.”

10. Do you’ve a present meals handler’s card?

Right here’s an extremely easy query that you simply’re nearly assured to get proper. If in case you have one, you’ll be able to merely say so, including in a bit of additional element to spherical it out. If not, you’ll be able to inform the hiring supervisor once you’ll deal with it, addressing any potential considerations.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“As I’m new to the restaurant trade, I don’t have a meals handler’s card but. Nevertheless, I’ll be taking the examination in two days, and I’m assured in my means to go.”

5 Good Inquiries to Ask on the Finish of a Restaurant Interview

On the finish of your restaurant interview, you’ll often get an opportunity to ask the hiring supervisor a number of questions. This is a wonderful alternative to be taught extra concerning the institution, staff, and tradition. Plus, it exhibits you’re enthusiastic concerning the alternative.

When you can ask questions that come to thoughts throughout the interview, it’s additionally sensible to have a number of backups prepared. With that in thoughts, listed here are 5 good inquiries to ask on the finish of a restaurant interview:

1. 1. Are schedules largely set from week to week, or do they differ?
   2. How would you describe the present staff dynamic?
   3. Does this restaurant use tip pooling or tip sharing?
   4. If a shift is unexpectedly shorthanded, how does administration assist the staff?
   5. What do you get pleasure from most about working at this restaurant, and what do you get pleasure from least?

Placing It All Collectively

In the long run, all the info above might help you get able to face off in opposition to restaurant interview questions. Use each tidbit to your benefit. That means, you’ll be able to create stellar solutions – even for curveball questions – and improve your odds of impressing the hiring supervisor and, in the end, getting the job.

Good luck!

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Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and profession professional and the top author at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His recommendation and insights have been shared and featured by publications similar to Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC and extra in addition to instructional establishments such because the College of Michigan, Penn State, Northeastern and others.

Study extra about The Interview Guys on our About Us web page.