Question Overview: Restaurant managers are responsible for the success of their establishment. The ideal candidate will have a plan for the future and be able to explain how they will continue to grow in their career.
Sample Answer: I would like to be a general manager at a restaurant that is part of a chain. I would like to learn more about the business and eventually open my own restaurant.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about the restaurant and have a genuine interest in working for the company. The applicant should be able to explain why they would want to work for your establishment and what they can bring to the table.
Sample Answer: I'm very interested in working for your restaurant because I love the menu and the atmosphere. I've been a fan of your establishment since I was a kid and would love to be a part of it.
Question Overview: Restaurant managers are in charge of dealing with customers on a daily basis. The ideal candidate will have experience handling customers who are upset about their meal or service. The applicant should be able to handle the situation in a calm manner and offer a solution to the problem.
Sample Answer: I would ask the customer what was wrong with their meal and then ask if they would like me to remake it. If they agreed, I would have the cook prepare a new dish and offer a discount on their next visit.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be able to identify their strengths and weaknesses. They should be able to explain how they are working on their weaknesses and how they are improving in those areas.
Sample Answer: My strengths are my ability to work with others and my attention to detail. I am working on improving my time management skills.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a strong network of friends and family that they can rely on for support. The applicant should be able to describe their personality and how they are viewed by others.
Sample Answer: My friends would say that I am a very hard worker who is always willing to help out. They would also say that I am very organized and that I am a great listener.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be able to explain why they are the best person for the job. They should be able to demonstrate their passion for the restaurant industry and their desire to work for your establishment. The applicant should also be able to explain how their experience and skills will help them succeed in the position.
Sample Answer: I am a hard worker who is passionate about the restaurant industry. I have a strong work ethic and am willing to do whatever it takes to make my restaurant a success. I have experience working with vendors and creating menus that are both cost-effective and delicious.
Question Overview: Restaurant managers are in charge of the business and must be able to determine what they can offer to the company. The ideal candidate will have experience with customer service and be able to explain how they can help the company grow.
Sample Answer: I hope to gain a position where I can use my experience in customer service to help grow the company. I am a hard worker who is committed to helping others succeed.
Question Overview: Restaurant managers are the face of the establishment and must be able to handle difficult situations with poise. The ideal candidate will have experience dealing with irate customers and how they handled the situation.
Sample Answer: I had a customer who was upset that the restaurant was out of a certain dish. I offered a similar meal at a discounted price and apologized for the inconvenience.
Question Overview: Restaurant managers are in charge of the staff and the establishment. The ideal candidate will have experience in a similar position or have a passion for the food industry. The applicant should be able to explain their interest in the position and how they will be able to contribute to the team.
Sample Answer: I've always had a passion for food and love working with people. I've been a server, bartender and manager in the past, so I know what it takes to work in this industry. I'm looking for a new opportunity to work with a team that shares my passion for food and hospitality.
Question Overview: Restaurant managers are responsible for the overall performance of the establishment. The ideal candidate will have experience dealing with stressful situations and how they handled them. The applicant should be able to explain how they learned from their mistakes and how they would handle a similar situation in the future.
Sample Answer: I once had a server who was consistently late to work. I tried to talk to him about his tardiness, but he did not take my advice. I eventually had to fire him because he was not following company policy.
Question Overview: Restaurant managers are in charge of the budget, which means they must be able to manage their finances. The ideal candidate will have experience with budgeting and will be able to explain how they would determine what is a fair salary for the position.
Sample Answer: I am interested in this position based on the pay. I believe that $45,000 is a fair salary for the position.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a well-traveled background and have visited a variety of places. The applicant should be able to explain why they enjoyed a certain destination and what they did while there.
Sample Answer: My best vacation was to the Bahamas. I loved the weather, the food and the people. I went scuba diving, snorkeling and parasailing.
Question Overview: Restaurant managers are responsible for a wide variety of tasks. The ideal candidate will be able to explain what they dislike doing and how they would delegate these tasks to other staff members.
Sample Answer: I dislike cleaning the bathrooms. I would delegate this task to a server or a dishwasher.
Question Overview: This is a common question that is asked during interviews. The ideal candidate will be honest about their weaknesses and explain how they are working to improve them. For example, a manager may not be good at delegating tasks to other employees; however, they are working on improving their skills in this area.
Sample Answer: I am not the best at delegating tasks to other employees; however, I am working on improving my skills in this area.
Question Overview: Restaurant managers are responsible for the actions of their staff. The ideal candidate will have experience dealing with employees who are not following protocol. The manager should be able to explain how they handled the situation and what they learned from the experience.
Sample Answer: I had an employee who was not following the rules of our restaurant. I gave him a warning and then a final warning before terminating him. I learned that it is important to follow protocol and to be consistent with how you discipline employees.
Question Overview: This question is a bit tricky. The interviewer is not asking if the candidate can do the job, but rather if they are capable of doing the job. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate their experience and skills that make them a good fit for the position.
Sample Answer: I have five years of experience in the restaurant industry as a manager. I've worked with chefs to create new dishes, managed staff and created marketing campaigns to increase revenue.
Question Overview: Restaurant managers are responsible for the staff's performance and must be able to terminate employees who are not meeting expectations. The ideal candidate will have experience terminating employees and be able to explain how they handled the situation.
Sample Answer: I would have a meeting with the employee and explain that their performance was not up to par. I would give them two warnings before ultimately terminating them.
Question Overview: Restaurant managers are in charge of the staff and must be able to lead them in a positive manner. The ideal candidate will have experience being a leader and will be able to explain how they motivate their team to work harder.
Sample Answer: I see leadership as being a role model for my team. I always set an example for my employees by showing up on time, working hard and being polite to customers. I also make sure that my staff is aware of their responsibilities and what is expected of them.
Question Overview: Restaurant managers are required to work on weekends and holidays. The ideal candidate will be willing to work these shifts and understand the importance of being available for the restaurant.
Sample Answer: I am willing to work weekends and holidays because I know that my presence will help the restaurant run smoothly.
Question Overview: Restaurant managers are responsible for all aspects of the business, including the hiring and firing of employees. The ideal candidate will have experience in the hiring process and will be able to spell their name correctly.
Sample Answer: My name is spelled S-A-M-U-E-L.