Floor managers are in charge of everything that happens on the floor, like keeping track of inventory, giving staff jobs, and making sure customers are happy with the service.
When floor managers are being interviewed, the best candidates will be full of energy, look good, and have a professional demeanor. Be wary of candidates with poor communication skills and an unprofessional appearance. Special Offer.
Landing a restaurant floor manager position takes preparation and practice. You need to showcase your skills, experience, and personality in order to stand out from the competition. While every interviewer will have their own unique questions, there are some common queries that you can expect to field. Read on for the top 10 restaurant floor manager interview questions, examples of how to answer them, and tips to help you shine in your interview.
1. Tell me about yourself.
This open-ended question is frequently used as an icebreaker in interviews. Don’t ramble on about your life story here. Instead, highlight your work experience and skills that make you a strong candidate. Focus on achievements that relate directly to the floor manager role.
For example “I have over 5 years of experience managing restaurant floor operations. In my last role as an assistant manager at Seasons Restaurant I increased customer satisfaction scores by 15% over a 6 month period by implementing a new staff feedback program and incentives to deliver excellent service.”
2. Why do you want to work here?
With this question, interviewers want to gauge your interest in the company or restaurant specifically. Do your research beforehand so you can speak knowledgeably Talk about aspects of the business that appeal to you and align with your career goals
Sample response “I’m excited to apply for this floor manager role at Antonia’s because I love your farm-to-table concept. I also know Antonia’s has a great reputation in the community for customer service which is very important to me. My goal is to take on more responsibility managing restaurant operations for a growing business like this.”
3. What do you consider your greatest strengths?
This is your chance to sell yourself. Outline 2-3 of your strongest skills or qualities that make you a great floor manager. Think about what the company is looking for and how you can fill their needs.
For example: “I’m extremely organized and efficient when it comes to scheduling staff and managing inventory. I also have fantastic interpersonal skills. I’m a helpful coach and mentor to my team, while also commanding their respect.”
4. How do you handle pressure?
Floor managers need to operate smoothly under pressure. Restaurants can be high stress environments with lots going on. Share an example of when you multitasked gracefully or overcame challenges on a busy shift.
Sample response: “I thrive under pressure. For example, during a huge catering event we hosted, our head chef called in sick. I jumped in to help prep food in the kitchen while also coordinating the front-of-house servers without dropping any balls. The client was very pleased at the end of the night and complemented our team.”
5. What restaurant floor manager skills do you have?
This question allows you to directly call out your most relevant and impressive abilities. Think broadly about all the key floor manager duties and match your skillset. Consider both hard and soft skills.
In your response you could say: “I have strong leadership and communication skills to effectively direct my team. I’m also extremely organized when it comes to scheduling, adhering to budgets, and managing inventory. In terms of soft skills, I’m an excellent multi-tasker and problem-solver able to quickly address any issues that arise.”
6. How do you motivate employees?
Being able to motivate your team is a critical skill for any restaurant floor manager. Share examples of techniques you’ve used successfully to inspire your staff and boost morale. Mention any incentives, contests, or appreciation methods.
“I motivate my team by setting clear goals and then empowering them with the tools and guidance to achieve those goals. I frequently recognize employees publicly for great work. We also do quarterly team building activities like Top Chef cook-offs to foster camaraderie and friendly competition.”
7. How would you handle an angry or dissatisfied customer?
Managing upset customers is an unavoidable part of the work. Assure the interviewer that you can handle these situations professionally and calmly. Share your steps for resolving conflict tactfully.
Example response: “Upset customers require patience and empathy. I’d listen carefully to understand their full perspective. I would apologize sincerely for their experience and then outline how I plan to immediately correct the issue. Following up afterwards with unsatisfied guests also goes a long way. My ultimate priority is getting them to return and trust our restaurant again.”
8. Do you have experience recruiting and hiring staff?
Staffing is a huge responsibility for floor managers. Be prepared to expand on your past experience in this area. Talk about where you’ve found strong candidates, what qualities you look for when interviewing, and how you onboard new hires.
“Yes, I have experience recruiting and hiring all restaurant roles from servers to dishwashers. My last employer used Indeed and employee referrals, which yielded good applicants. When interviewing, I look for people skills, work ethic, and availability. To onboard new staff, I have a structured training program to shadow experienced team members until they are fully confident.”
9. How do you evaluate employee performance?
It’s important to monitor your staff’s execution and provide constructive feedback. Discuss your process for regularly tracking performance across your team. Mention any metrics you use. Give examples of how you address improvement needs through coaching.
“I check in at least weekly one-on-one with each direct report to provide feedback on their strengths and areas for growth. I also secretly shop our restaurant monthly to observe how front-house staff are interfacing with customers. If I notice any service issues, I’ll personally coach the relevant employees on better techniques.”
10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
For this long-term question, the interviewer wants to understand your managerial aspirations within the company. Express your desire to take on more responsibility over time. If the role itself has room for growth, highlight an interest in advancing into that.
“My goal is to become an general manager of a thriving restaurant like this. I’m very driven to gain new skills and experiences that will prepare me for the next level. With my background, I’m confident I could take on GM duties in a 2-3 year timeframe if provided the right opportunities here to showcase my leadership.”
With preparation using these common restaurant floor manager interview questions, you can develop strong responses that impress any hiring manager. Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to construct your answers with concise, compelling examples. Highlight your wins, learned lessons, and how you can apply your abilities to benefit the restaurant. With the right mix of confidence, professionalism and interpersonal skills, you will prove you have what it takes to excel as their floor manager.
Frequency of Entities:
restaurant floor manager interview questions: 13
restaurant: 11
floor manager: 10
experience: 5
team: 5
customer: 4
skill: 4
example: 4
staff: 3
hire: 2
handle: 2
interview: 2
responsibility: 2
motivate: 2
perform: 2
pressure: 1
achievement: 1
satisfaction: 1
incentive: 1
contest: 1
conflict: 1
feedback: 1
onboard: 1
coach: 1
advance: 1
aspiration: 1
GM: 1
STAR: 1
What information should you examine before creating a company budget?
Tests the candidate’s knowledge in budgeting.
Interview Questions for Floor Managers
Tests the candidate’s leadership skills.
RESTAURANT MANAGER Interview Questions And Answers (Become A Restaurant Manager)
FAQ
Why should we hire you as a restaurant manager?
How do you introduce yourself at a restaurant manager interview?
