The job interview part of employment can be stressful for any new applicant. Whether this is a phone, email, or formal interview that is done face-to-face, both prospective employers and new hires alike see this phase as a chance to make an excellent first impression that can set things up for a successful relationship down the line. Because it is so important, it is understandable that any applicant being considered for a position will want to do the best job possible, and that is why we are here to help.
Many interviews include basic questions or expectations you can anticipate. We’ll focus specifically on the hospitality industry. Our post here will help new joiners know about what they might expect when going for any interview that is related to this industry. We will cover some of the topics you should know, things you may wish to avoid, and secondary considerations to take into account.
What Are the Most Asked Questions and Answers in Hospitality?
A big part of preparing for any interview within the hospitality industry is knowing some of the most common interview questions that you are likely to face during the process. You can’t plan for every possible question in an interview. Instead, focus on preparing key points, but avoid stressing over every detail. However, some research can point you in the right direction when it comes to probable topics you’ll need to cover in order to get that handshake. Keep in mind that what topics are typical for your interview can vary depending on the position you intend to get.
Common questions asked during an interview:
1. Why did you apply for this job? A variation of this question might ask you why you applied for a particular position at the company you are interested in. It’s a straightforward question that applies to more than just the hospitality industry. However, it will probably come up in your interview as a way to gauge why you are there and if you could move the company’s vision forward.
2. Do you have experience in hospitality? This will be noted on your CV, but you can pull out details from your past experience to craft an answer to this question. The important part is, that you can still answer this question effectively even without experience. Refer your employer to previous jobs that involved the hospitality industry. Highlight how your work ethic exemplified key traits.
3. How did you deal with an unhappy customer? The hospitality industry is all about good services to guests or patrons, and your potential employer will want to know what kind of experiences you’ve had in dealing with customers who were unsatisfied with the services rendered to them. You can pick one of the best examples from your past to show how you’re able to work under pressure and get the client’s needs met in a way that makes the company look good.
4. How would you define good service to our clients? This question is a bit more nebulous, but your employer may ask it to see what your values are regarding hospitality, how it should be handled, and your responsibilities toward guests and their overall satisfaction levels. If you wish, you can talk about how important it is to you to perform your duties in a friendly atmosphere and go to extra lengths to ensure that customers are happy.
There could be other common job interview questions your interviewer will ask, and it is a safe bet that they will also want you to tell them about yourself in general. This is different from recounting your prior work history or reasons for applying to the job in question. They want to get a sense of who you are as a person, so think about this question in advance.
Dress Professionally
There are many tips on how to dress to impress for interviews. Most people recommend formal business suits, but it depends on the company’s atmosphere. In hospitality, formal or semi-formal attire that appears professional to all clients is key. If you’re a chef, wear a clean chef jacket.
Pay attention to appropriate color schemes. Visit the company’s website to understand its image and staff attire. Different colors have psychological effects, and interviewers often share their recommendations for the best shades to project the right impression.
Everyone is different, but in general, here are a few things you can keep in mind regarding how colours relate to a person’s perception of you:
- Black is traditional for many businesses, and it suggests leadership skills.
- Blue or dark blue can be equally professional, and these related shades suggest that one is a good team player who will work with others to help the business succeed.
- Grey tends to speak to a person’s logical or analytical thinking capabilities.
- White can suggest someone who is very organized.
- Brown can give off an air of reliability and dependability under stress.
- Red tends to indicate power, but it may be best to have red accents, such as on a tie, rather than any full outfit piece that is red.
Finally, many interviewers recommend avoiding the color orange, given that it can be seen as a rather unprofessional look.
Research Possible Concerns for the Company
In order to help make yourself stand out or rise to the top, you can try to anticipate what the company or hiring manager might be concerned about with regard to welcoming new joiners. Because the interviewer might have a full day of applicants to see, he or she may look for ways to screen people who don’t fit the mould early.
You can improve your chances by putting yourself in the same position as the interviewer. Ask yourself why the company might not want to hire you. Think critically about any shortcomings you might have when it comes to working in this industry. Consider how to answer common interview questions about areas for improvement. Show the interviewer that you are goal-oriented and focused on making progress. There is no reason to be untruthful about these areas. However, you can present them positively to avoid concern. This approach maximizes your appeal and minimizes any potential issues.
Win a Small Success Early
As we mentioned, interviewers may have a full schedule on the day you arrive, and they might look for ways to get to the heart of your viability quite early in the process. Some interviewers might make a pretty solid decision in just the first few minutes of the process. Any time spent on the interview after this will be on the part of the interviewer looking for ways to confirm how they feel about the first impression you have made.
To maximize your chances of positive confirmation, you can try a few things to score a small win early in the interview. Bring a lot of positive but not overbearing energy. Express your willingness to be there, desire to do what it takes to move this hospitality business forward, and thankfulness for the interviewer’s valuable time. Your energy could help them have the energy they might need to make the process less formulaic, especially if they have to think about all the other interviews they have that day. You want them to be as focused on you and your skills as they possibly can be.
If possible, show some appreciation for the specific company you are interviewing for. One way to do this is by researching what the company has been doing recently, finding things that stand out to you, and mentioning one of these positive aspects. Mentioning this shows you have done your research on the company. It paints you as passionate and eager to advance the industry. Further, many companies like to hear that their positive impacts are both known and recognized throughout the industry.
Things You Should Avoid
No article on how to ace the perfect interview would be complete without some time spent on broad things you should not do. Just as important as how you present yourself is how you don’t come across to the interviewer.
- Don’t dominate the conversation. The interviewer does want someone who is confident and knows their stuff, but they have a set outline prepared. If you are too overbearing, it will make a bad impression, and you could come across as someone who might not be a good fit for a team.
- Don’t disparage any former workplace. Your interviewer might ask why you left your last job. They’re not interested in office politics or personal grievances. In fact, much of this could make you look bad as a new hire for another company. Keep any answers related to your previous employment professional and polite.
- Don’t overshare. There might be a time during which the interviewer will want to ask you about yourself. In this case, it’s fine to go slightly off-topic to show your personality but stay professional. Avoid sharing too much unrelated to hospitality and your connection to it.
Practice Mock Interviews Repeatedly
Many interviews will have a similar structure, but there is no substitute for getting a little experience on your own. Research the company beforehand to prepare informed questions for the interview. Getting comfortable with tricky questions can help the interview flow better and ease the conversation. It also shows you’re a logical choice for roles that handle pressure and client concerns.
You can practice interviewing alone, but it’s often better with one or two friends acting as interviewers. They can help brainstorm common topics. Switching roles can give you insight into how interviews work and the interviewer’s perspective. This helps you understand their concerns and why they assess problem-solving skills.
Finally, identify some common questions that you know are tough for you to answer succinctly and clearly. Addressing these now gives you time to practice clear, concise answers. This is crucial even if these are your weakest areas. Consider what typical hospitality interview questions might stump you. This allows you to research and find better ways to answer.
Conclusion
Job interviews can be stressful, but you can manage them better. The hospitality industry values customer service, bright personalities, and social skills. Luckily, these traits are useful for the interview process too. Some of our tips may help you develop them. After the interview, follow up within a day or so. This shows your interest and dedication to the role. Send a polite message or card to thank the company for their time. Also, express your eagerness to join the team.
For more information on culinary opportunities in the US, check out our article on Culinary Internships In The US: All You Need To Know.
