As a restaurant manager, interviewing new employees can be a stressful situation. You can find a lot of common restaurant interview questions online, so people can get ready ahead of time to give the best answer. There’s nothing wrong with that. But do those answers necessarily translate into real-life skills and abilities? It’s hard to say.
To help you really get to know the candidate you’re interviewing, you’ve got to go deeper. Here are some of the most important questions you might be asked at a restaurant interview to help you do better.
These questions will help you avoid the canned answers that look good in an interview but don’t really show what the candidate can do.
Getting hired at Restaurant.com can be competitive, but going in prepared with strong answers to their most common interview questions will give you a leg up. With over 500,000 restaurants across the country partnered with Restaurant.com, they need driven, customer-focused team members to keep delivering an amazing experience.
In this article, we’ll cover the top interview questions asked at Restaurantcom interviews and provide sample answers to help you wow the hiring manager.
Why Do You Want To Work For Restaurant.com?
This question allows you to share your enthusiasm for their company and mission. Be specific on what excites you about Restaurant.com in your answer.
Sample Answer: I’ve been impressed with Restaurant.com’s growth over the past 20 years and love the idea of helping connect diners with local restaurants. Restaurant.com makes dining out more accessible by offering deals, which is a win-win for customers and restaurants. I’m excited about being part of a values-driven company focused on bringing people together through delicious food.
What Experience Do You Have in Customer Service?
Restaurant.com values customer-focused team members so expect interviewers to probe into your customer service skills. Share examples that demonstrate your ability to resolve issues and create a positive experience.
Sample Answer: In my last role as a restaurant host, I regularly interfaced with guests to ensure they had an enjoyable dining experience. When issues came up like long wait times, I apologized sincerely and tried to make it right by offering a free appetizer or dessert. My manager often praised me for turning frustrated customers into happy regulars.
How Do You Prioritize When Handling Multiple Requests or Tasks?
Multitasking is key in many Restaurant.com roles so hiring managers want to know you can juggle competing priorities. Share how you stay organized and tackle the most urgent needs first.
Sample Answer: When juggling multiple requests, I find it helpful to make a quick task list and tackle items based on priority and effort required. If there is an urgent customer complaint, I’ll handle that immediately. For simpler tasks like sending an email, I’ll batch those together and complete them as a group in between priority items. Staying calm under pressure with a plan helps me handle any volume of requests.
What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
This common question allows you to share qualities that would make you a great addition while being upfront about areas for improvement. Choose a strength aligned with the role and a weakness you actively work on.
Sample Answer: One of my biggest strengths is my problem-solving ability. I’m analytical and good at breaking down issues to find solutions. In terms of weakness, public speaking has always been an area I struggle with. I’ve been taking a speech course at our local college to improve my communication skills.
Why Should We Hire You?
This gives you a chance to summarize why you’re the right fit for the role and Restaurant.com. Pull together your different strengths and experience into a convincing pitch.
Sample Answer: You should hire me because I have a proven track record of helping restaurants deliver exceptional customer experiences. I’m passionate about Restaurant.com’s mission and have the right mix of customer service, sales, and relationship building skills to thrive in this role. I’d love to be able to make a difference here.
How Do You Build Strong Relationships with Clients?
Restaurant.com thrives on building great partnerships with restaurants, so this question tests your relationship-building chops. Share examples of how you connect with clients and meet their needs.
Sample Answer: My secret to building strong client relationships is really listening to understand their pain points and goals. I ask questions to learn what a restaurant partner needs to grow their business with Restaurant.com. Then I put together customized solutions tailored to them. Following through and over-delivering helps cement the relationship over time.
Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?
Hiring managers want to gauge your level of commitment to the company and likelihood of sticking around. While you don’t have to commit forever, emphasize interest in growing long-term with Restaurant.com.
Sample Answer: My goal is to take on increasing responsibility and grow my career here at Restaurant.com. I’m excited by the opportunity to start as an Account Coordinator and expand my skills in client services and relationship management. Down the road I’d love to take on leadership of a team. Most of all, I want to contribute to Restaurant.com’s future success.
How Do You Handle an Unhappy Customer?
Having the right mindset and skills to resolve complaints is key for any Restaurant.com role. Share
What does “hospitality” mean to you?
The candidate’s answer to this question can tell you a lot about how they will act if they get the job. The way they view hospitality will give you some insight into how they will respond to your guests.
The dictionary defines hospitality as, “the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, and strangers. ” The candidate’s response should be something similar — in their own words, of course.
That person might not be a good fit for your restaurant if their answer is too different from what you were hoping for.
What is your favorite customer service experience?
This question can serve two purposes:
- It can tell you what the candidate thinks makes a good service.
- It can help you figure out how excited they are about their successes.
When they tell you the story, do they seem happy? How much detail do they give? Do you think the candidate is telling the truth?
The way they tell the story and the story itself can help you understand what hospitality means to them.
Restaurant Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them [Audio Series] | 7shifts
What are common restaurant interview questions & answers?
Common Restaurant Interview Questions and Answers 1. Tell me about yourself Why they’re asking
How do you answer a restaurant interview question?
This restaurant interview question gives the hiring manager some idea of how much you know about this specific establishment. When you answer, don’t just name the menu item. Instead, add some details about why it’s your favorite, giving your answer that little something extra. “My favorite menu item is the apple crumble.
How many restaurant interview questions should you ask?
For example, you probably don’t need to ask a line cook about their experience with online reservation software or a server about how they cook the perfect filet mignon. (Rare, obviously.) It’s time for the main course: 25 restaurant interview questions that your candidates can’t wait to answer.
What questions should a restaurant manager ask?
Common interview questions for a restaurant manager to ask can include: Why do you want to work here? What’s your experience in this industry? What’s your favorite part about this role? What are your strengths and weaknesses?
