Common Restaurant Interview Questions

And how to respond.

Let’s face it, interviews are nerve-racking.

The good news; we all have to do it. The person interviewing you has likely been in your shoes many times before.

The better news; You can be more prepared than you think.

While you can’t predict the exact questions, there are a handful of standard interview questions that will be asked in some way or another.

What’s your greatest strength?

If you’ve worked in the restaurant industry before, make sure to throw in as much restaurant industry terminology as you can. Respond confidently, not arrogantly.

Try something like this: “My greatest strength is my experience in the restaurant business. I know to expect the unexpected- a 25 top walk-in, an unsatisfied guest, a backed up kitchen or bar, you name it! I don’t freak out when things get hectic.”

If this is your first restaurant job, your answer could be: “I learn quickly and stay calm under pressure. My temperament is ideal for a fast-paced job. Personally, I have high expectations when I go out to eat and I value customer service, so it’s important for me to provide an experience that I would be happy with.”

What’s your greatest weakness?

This one shouldn’t stump you if you’ve done your homework. Look at this as an opportunity to bring up another strength. For example:

“My greatest weakness is that I have a hard time saying ‘no’. I take pride in working hard and going the extra mile to help out my coworkers. However, there are times I find myself feeling overwhelmed with work that I essentially created for myself. I’m working on finding the balance between taking initiative and being a team player while also making sure I’m being realistic and managing my time.”

What’s your favorite part about the restaurant industry?

Whatever you do, don’t say “the money.” Make sure your interviewer knows you’re not just there for a paycheck. If you’re a people-person, talk about how you get to interact with so many different faces on a daily basis. If you’re a foodie, talk about your love for food and how exciting it is to be behind-the-scenes to see how everything is created.

Use this an opportunity to talk about the specific position you’re applying. Whether you’re interviewing to work in the front or back of house, find a way to share how your personal interests line up with the job.

What’s your least favorite part about the restaurant industry?

Responding with “I love everything about the industry,” will only make you sound like you’re full of it. Every industry has pros and cons. Try to bring up something that everyone can relate to.

“My least favorite thing is a bad tip. There are some people who still don’t realize that 20% is the standard tip if you’re happy with your service. I’ve had tables who will rave about how much they loved the service and food but still don’t tip. It can be frustrating but it pushes me to step-it-up on my other tables.”

Why are you a good addition to the team?

There’s no room for modesty here. Express how you believe your strengths will be a good fit for the business.

Talk about your passions- whether it’s people, food or fast-paced environments. “I know that my love for people will add a special touch for the guests I interact with and I will have them coming back. My goal is to make every guest a regular.”

Remind your interviewer that you’re a team player who is eager to contribute as well as learn. “You have a fantastic team of people I could learn from, and I have knowledge and experience that I can contribute as well.”

Add some personality to your response by sharing a unique skill you have. “And I know how to do a back-flip.”

Once you’ve got your answers nailed down, check out 5 tips on how to stand out at your interview.

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