Your resume was persuasive enough to get you that all-important first interview. Now comes the tough part: prepping for the interview. You’ll be expected to know your strengths and weaknesses. And your interviewer will hope you have some knowledge of the hospitality industry in general and even a few key facts about the hotel or restaurant you’re applying for.
Keep in mind that the interviewer will be evaluating not just what you say but how you say it. He or she will be looking for clues as to how you think, your personality, and your ability to get along with peers and supervisors. To help you, here's a list of questions most often asked in hospitality interview sessions:
- Tell me about yourself
- What inspired you to follow a career in the restaurant/hospitality industry?
- Why do you want to work for our hotel/club/restaurant/resort?
- What do you know about our industry?
- What do you know about our restaurant/hotel/resort?
- Have visited or stayed at any of our properties?
- Did you talk to any of our managers or staff?
- What would you change? How would you improve things there?
- What do you think sets us apart from the competition?
- What qualities should a person possess in the job you’re applying for?
- Describe your management style?
- What motivates you? How do you motivate others?
- What was the best hotel/resort/restaurant you ever worked for? The worst?
- Describe the best boss you ever had? Your least favorite?
- What are some of your most noteworthy accomplishments?
- What have you done to bring down costs at your last job?
- How would your supervisor describe you?
- How would your subordinates describe you?
- How would you resolve a confrontation with your peers? Your boss?
- What questions do you have for me? (you should have several)
Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients. Please see more of his blogs and view additional job postings on Nexxt.
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