Good hostesses are important for any restaurant’s success because they make the first and last impressions on guests.
Our experts will talk about the most common questions you’ll be asked when applying for a job as a hostess, along with the best ways to answer them that will make any hiring manager want to hire you.
Landing a job as a VIP hostess is no easy feat. The role requires grace under pressure, highly tuned interpersonal skills, and the tact to cater to the needs of discerning high-roller clients.
To stand out from other candidates vying for this glamorous and demanding position, you’ll need to demonstrate far more than just poise and basic hospitality knowledge at your upcoming interview. You’ll need to show that you can curate unforgettable five-star experiences on the fly – and know exactly how to handle the many sensitive situations inherent to the job.
To help you tackle even the toughest interview questions with ease, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 most essential VIP hostess interview questions – along with sample answers to each. Read on to discover what hiring managers really want to know, and how to convey you’ve got the polish needed to thrive in this elite role.
1. How would you handle an unhappy VIP guest?
In the rarefied world of luxury hospitality, guest satisfaction is paramount. VIP patrons expect exemplary service and will notify management promptly if expectations aren’t met.
When fielding this question, highlight your commitment to resolving issues immediately and maintaining grace under pressure Emphasize that preserving positive guest relations trumps all other concerns Here is a sample response
“If a VIP guest expressed unhappiness, I would first apologize sincerely and thank them for bringing the issue to my attention. I would ask thoughtful questions to fully understand the source of their dissatisfaction, then propose solutions tailored to make it right. If the issue was beyond my authority, I would immediately involve management to resolve it promptly. Follow-ups to ensure satisfaction would also be a priority for me. My goal would be retaining the guest’s trust by fixing missteps quickly and respectfully.”
2. How do you handle multiple high-priority requests simultaneously?
Multi-tasking is integral to being an effective VIP hostess. You’ll need to juggle the many demands of discerning patrons without dropping the ball. Interviewers will look for examples of how you’ve expertly managed overlapping urgent assignments in the past.
In your response, emphasize key skills like organization, composure, delegation, and communication. Here is a sample answer:
“In my last role as a VIP concierge, I frequently handled multiple urgent requests simultaneously – such as booking last-minute Broadway tickets, arranging private airport transfers, and scheduling couple’s massages for hotel guests. To manage seamlessly, I would first evaluate the priority level of each task. For high-priority items, I would personally ensure prompt completion. For more routine tasks, I would delegate appropriately to reduce my workload. Clear communication with patrons was also essential to set expectations and provide status updates. Remaining calm under pressure was key to delivering exceptional service.”
3. How do you tailor service to the unique preferences of VIP guests?
Catering to the particular tastes and whims of VIPs is an essential part of the job. Interviewers will want to know that you grasp the importance of personalization and have strategies to provide customized five-star treatment to patrons
In your response, provide specific examples of how you’ve memorized and accommodated the favorite foods, amenities, and habits of VIPs you’ve served in the past. Highlight your dedication to anticipating needs proactively. Here’s a sample answer:
“I take pride in providing personalized service that exceeds expectations. For example, at my last hotel I kept detailed notes about the preferences of our VIP guests. I knew which patrons enjoyed having fresh flowers in their rooms, preferred late breakfast delivery, or were vodka connoisseurs. These details enabled me to tailor their stays according to their unique tastes. My goal was always to provide intuitive, bespoke treatment – whether that meant having their favorite magazines waiting bedside or arranging dinner reservations at the trendiest new bistro.”
4. How do you handle confidential VIP information appropriately?
Discretion is one of the top requirements of working with high-profile clientele. Interviewers want to confirm you understand privacy protocols and can be entrusted to handle sensitive information appropriately.
In your response, emphasize your commitment to safeguarding VIP identities, travel details, and other classified intel. Highlight your understanding of privacy laws. Provide examples of best practices you’ve personally implemented to protect confidential data. Here is a sample answer:
“Handling confidential VIP information with the utmost discretion is very important to me. I understand the expectation these guests have of privacy and the need for airtight security protocols. In past roles, I followed all regulations regarding secure record storage and data access. I never disclosed guest identities or personal details to unauthorized parties. I also ensured staff were properly trained on protocols like password protection and file encryption. My priority was always protecting sensitive information to retain VIP trust and loyalty.”
5. How do you resolve conflicts discretely between VIP guests?
Given the demands of pleasing VIP patrons, disputes or clashes sometimes arise. Interviewers want to confirm you have the diplomacy skills to smooth over issues without ruining any VIP’s experience.
In your response, emphasize tact, professionalism, and understanding. Share examples of how you’ve worked to preserve mutual respect between feuding patrons in the past. Here is a sample answer:
“Resolving conflicts between VIP guests requires the utmost discretion and care. In one instance, two VIP patrons had an argument over sports that threatened to escalate at a casino I worked at previously. I immediately intervened and invited the guests to a private lounge for complimentary drinks. This changed the environment, allowing tensions to diffuse. I then suggested seating them in separate areas of our restaurant that evening so they could both still enjoy their experience. My approach aims to resolve conflicts smoothly before they intensify, while maintaining privacy and respect for all.”
6. How do you plan memorable events for VIP guests?
Making elite guests feel like the star of the show is intrinsic to being a five-star VIP hostess. Interviewers will look for creative thinkers who can turn standard stays into unforgettable experiences patrons will rave about.
In your response, demonstrate how you’ve gone above-and-beyond to craft personalized, wow-worthy moments for VIPs in the past. Share unique examples that brought delight – such as planning a private fireworks viewing on a rooftop terrace or arranging a meet-and-greet with their favorite celebrity chef. Here is a sample answer:
“I believe every VIP guest deserves to feel like royalty. For one regular patron’s 40th birthday, I worked closely with our chef to prepare the guest’s preferred five-course dinner menu paired with rare vintage wines. I also coordinated with housekeeping to sprinkle flower petals through his suite and set up candlelit decor. As a personal surprise, I secured last-minute tickets to a sold-out Broadway show the patron had mentioned wanting to see. Moments like these create lifelong memories for VIPs and also deepen loyalty to our brand.”
7. What’s your strategy for collecting feedback from VIP guests?
Soliciting feedback is essential for understanding how to continually improve service. Hiring managers will want to know that you grasp the importance of regularly checking in with patrons about their experiences – and responding promptly to critiques.
In your response, share proven methods you’ve used to actively seek input from VIPs during and after their stays. Highlight your commitment to quick follow-up. Provide examples of how you’ve used feedback to implement changes improving future visits. Here’s a sample answer:
“I believe proactively gathering feedback is essential for enhancing service. During VIP stays, I make a point to check in at multiple junctures to ask if any aspect could be improved. Post-stay, I send customized surveys asking guests to rate aspects like room cleanliness, restaurant service, and amenity preferences. This input enables me to analyze patterns and quickly address any areas falling short of five-star standards. Following up to share improvements made according to suggestions increases guest satisfaction and loyalty.”
8. How do you determine appropriate comps for VIP casino guests?
Providing the right complimentary gifts and services is key to player retention in casino hospitality. Employers will look for VIP hostess candidates with a nuanced understanding of discerning comps that align with patron value and status.
In your response, demonstrate knowledge of comps best practices. Share how you’ve worked to personalize offerings based on factors like a patron’s average bets, game preferences, and loyalty tier. Here is a sample answer:
“Determining appropriate comps for casino VIPs requires consideration of their player profile and loyalty status. For high-rollers accustomed to luxury, I would arrange lavish comps like five-star penthouse suites, premium restaurant gift cards, and tickets to exclusive events. For frequent slot players on a smaller budget, comps like free buffet vouchers, spa discounts, and rideshares back home would be more fitting. My goal is always suiting the comps to the individual player to make them feel valued.”
9. How do you ensure consistent service across all staff interacting with VIPs?
As the face of five-star hospitality, VIP hostesses set the benchmark for maintaining exceptional standards. Interviewers will want to know how you personally model exemplary service and ensure it permeates
10 Additional Hostess Interview Questions for Employers
- How do you organize the seating so that tables are turned over quickly and guests are happy during busy dining times?
- What steps do you take to make guests feel valued and at ease when they walk into the restaurant?
- If a guest has specific needs or preferences when it comes to where they want to sit, how do you handle that?
- Describe the steps you take to handle the waitlist when it’s busy. How do you balance expected wait times, what guests want, and the number of tables that can be turned over?
- How do you handle complaints or disagreements from guests about where to sit, like if a guest doesn’t like the table they were given or wants to be moved?
- How do you make sure that the hostess team, wait staff, and other restaurant staff can talk to each other clearly so that everything runs smoothly and guests get great service?
- Can you talk about how you handle changes, cancellations, or requests that are at odds with each other when you’re keeping accurate records and making sure guests are properly communicated with?
- How do you prioritize seating requests and take into account special needs, like letting big groups in, making sure there are accessible seats, or managing VIP reservations?
- Explain how you keep up with the restaurant’s layout, table arrangements, and seating capacity so that you can give guests accurate information and make the most of the space you have.
- How do you keep track of the flow of guests during busy times to make sure the seating process runs smoothly? What strategies or techniques do you use to speed up the seating process and keep guest wait times to a minimum?
20 Common Hostess Interview Questions and Example Answers
- “Tell me about yourself.” This is a common question meant to get to know you better. Be sure your answer highlights your relevant experiences and skills. Example Answer: For the past three years, I’ve worked in the restaurant business, mostly in high-end restaurants. During this time, I’ve learned how to handle the flow of guests, make seating arrangements, and take reservations. In my previous job, I was in charge of managing waitlists and seating rotations during busy times to make sure that tables were turned over quickly and efficiently while putting customer satisfaction first. I’m sure I can do a great job as a hostess here because I have a lot of experience, pay close attention to detail, and love making guests’ stays great.
- How many tables or customers can you serve at once? Being honest is the best way to answer this question. If not, the company that hires you will find out you lied when they do. Along with giving a real number, make sure to stress that you are also a hard worker who is always improving their ability to work efficiently. That was up to 20 people at once, but I think I could handle 25. I also work very hard and am always getting better quickly.
- How long do you plan to work at the restaurant? There is a lot of employee turnover in the restaurant business, so employers don’t want to hire people who might not stay. You dont need to answer with an explicit time frame. Instead, try to align your values with those of the restaurant. This will show your dedication and ease the employer’s worries. It’s not clear yet, but I plan to stay for a while. I’m excited to keep improving my skills and help the restaurant grow.
- Why did you quit your last job at a restaurant? Like the last question, this one is meant to see how dedicated you are to the job. The boss also wants to know that you’ll be a good worker who is willing to work with others and is professional enough not to blame previous restaurants. Answer this question honestly with the real reason you left. Just make sure you talk about the things above as well. I loved working with the previous restaurant and team, but I had to quit to go back to school.
- In what way would you answer a guest who asked you a question you didn’t know the answer? For example, I would smile and politely say that I don’t know, but I’d be happy to look it up for them. This answer works because it: Stresses how important it is to always be polite to the guest It shows how quickly you would act to fix the issue.
- What would you do if you saw another employee being rude to a guest? Your answer should stress how unacceptable you think that behavior is. Your immediate actions to fix the situation. I would immediately pull the staff member aside. Then I would sincerely apologize to the guest and give them whatever they need in a polite way. As soon as the customer is happy, I’ll tell the restaurant about it.
- How well do you do in a busy, fast-paced environment? This is a common question in the restaurant business, which is known for being very busy and fast-paced. Giving an example from a previous job that shows how you could work well in that kind of setting is the best way to answer. I have a strong history working in similar, fast-paced environments. As a customer experience specialist at BestBuy, I used good manners and quick work to help more than 30 customers an hour, and I kept a review score of 4. 8/5.
- If the phone rang while you were greeting a customer, what would you do? When you answer this question, you need to show that you can manage your time well and put the customer first. I would greet the guest first, then take a moment to answer the phone. Then I would tell the caller to wait while I seated the guest.
- In the event that a group of eight people arrived and said they had a reservation but weren’t on the books, what would you do? Your answer should show that you can confidently deal with new situations while maintaining professionalism and a high level of service. I would tell them that there wasn’t a table for eight people right now, but that I could set one up for them right away. I would also tell them they could get a drink at the bar while I set up their table.
- What would you say to unhappy customers who are leaving your restaurant? This could happen sometimes, so it’s important to know how to handle it correctly. Once I talked to a manager, I would tell the guests I was sorry they didn’t enjoy their stay and ask them if they would be willing to come back.
- What would you do if a customer asked for something that the restaurant serves? You need to show that you are flexible, quick-thinking, and committed to making the customer happy. That item is no longer on the menu, but I would be happy to check with the manager and chefs to see if we could still make it for them.
- What would you say if a nice old couple never left a tip but asked for you every Thursday when they came in? It might seem unfair, but the best way to respond is to show that you put the customer before yourself. I would gladly serve them. The customer always comes first! .
- How much do you know about our restaurant? Learn about it ahead of time and be ready for this question. Hosts and hostesses who represent the values and spirit of the restaurant are in high demand. What kind of food does the restaurant serve? What are its values? What is its history? How does it involve the community? I know that the restaurant specializes in fresh seafood. In addition, I know about the Friday night dances and how you help local charities and children’s groups.
- Based on the job description, what skills do you have a lot of experience with and which ones would you like to learn more about? It’s important to be honest when you answer this question, because your boss will find out if you lie or exaggerate when you need to do the job. It’s important to show that you’re ready to learn anything that’s needed for the job. I know how to do all the main things, especially how to greet customers and make them feel welcome. I’m quick on my feet, but I could do a better job of making choices when things get busy. However, Im constantly improving and developing my skills! .
- What would you say to a customer who has to follow a certain diet? I always do whatever it takes to make my guests happy. If a customer had a food allergy, I would tell them about all the similar dishes that don’t have the things they can’t eat. If the customer wants, I could also talk to the chef to see if they could change the recipe to fit their needs.
- A hostess must stand for much of their shift. What do you do to stay comfortable? Employers want hostesses who have at least enough experience to know some common ways to stay comfortable and do their best work on the job. I make sure to work out and get enough sleep when I’m not at work to stay healthy and always be on time for work. I keep good posture at work so that I don’t put too much stress on my body and so that I look neat and professional when guests come in.
- What are your plans for when the restaurant isn’t busy? You need to show that you’re always ready to greet and serve guests at any time, even when it seems like the restaurant isn’t busy. I might sit down and stretch my legs for a while, but I’ll always be alert and ready to help customers as soon as they walk through the door.
- So, what does a good or bad hostess do for a restaurant? Knowing what a host or hostess does is important for knowing how to do their job best. It’s up to the host or hostess to make a good first and last impression on each customer. If you want to do a good job for the restaurant, you should always be polite and professional.
- How would you deal with a customer who stole from the restaurant? You should show that you know the most important thing is to not bother other customers. I would tell the manager about it quickly and quietly instead of making a scene.
- Many themed restaurants will ask you a silly question like, “Would you be willing to dress as a carrot?” to see how dedicated you are to the team and to make sure you have a good, fun attitude. Yes, of course! That sounds fun.
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FAQ
What is asked in a hostess interview?
Why should we hire you as a hostess?
How to nail a hostess interview?
Why should we hire you?
What questions should you ask a VIP host?
Event budgets are an important part of being a VIP host. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with budgets and how well you can manage your time. Use examples from previous jobs where you worked with event budgets or helped create them.
What do interviewers ask a hostess?
As a hostess, you’ll be the first point of contact for guests entering the establishment, and it’s essential to create a positive first impression. Interviewers ask this question to gauge your problem-solving skills, ability to remain calm under pressure, and your commitment to providing exceptional customer service even in challenging situations.
How do you answer a VIP interview question?
Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond to provide exceptional service to a VIP guest. This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are willing to go above and beyond for your guests. This can be a great way to showcase your dedication, passion and willingness to work hard.
What does a VIP Host do?
As a VIP host, you are the face of the club, casino, or restaurant. You are responsible for making sure that the VIP guests have a good time and that they want to come back. This job is not for everyone. It requires long hours, late nights, and a lot of people skills. But if you are the right person for the job, it can be a lot of fun.
