Restaurant servers are the frontline of your business, directly influencing customer satisfaction and the overall dining experience. Excellent servers ensure smooth operations and act as the face of your establishment, making a lasting impression on guests. Studies consistently highlight “service” as a key factor in positive restaurant reviews, underscoring the importance of hiring top-notch server staff.
Whether you’re a restaurant owner aiming to build a stellar team or a candidate preparing for a server interview, understanding the right questions to ask is essential. The following interview questions are designed to help you identify candidates who possess the skills and personality to excel in this demanding yet rewarding role. These questions delve into both behavioral traits and core competencies, ensuring you select individuals who will truly enhance your dining experience.
10 Essential Interview Questions for Restaurant Servers
Given the significant impact servers have on customer experience, finding the perfect candidates is a top priority. While modern hiring platforms can streamline the process, a structured interview with well-prepared questions remains crucial. Using a pre-defined set of interview questions ensures each interview is focused, productive, and reveals the most about each applicant. Below are ten key server interview questions, combining behavioral and competency-based approaches, to help you make informed hiring decisions.
1. What Do You Know About [Restaurant Name]?
For the Interviewer: This question quickly reveals the candidate’s genuine interest in your restaurant. A generic answer suggests a lack of preparation, while a thoughtful response indicates initiative and a desire to learn about your specific establishment. It helps assess if the candidate is genuinely interested in your restaurant or just applying randomly.
For the Interviewee: This is a prime opportunity to demonstrate your preparation. Research the restaurant beforehand! Your answer should showcase your understanding of their values, mission, or unique aspects. Mention specific details like their commitment to local sourcing, community involvement, or positive reviews you’ve read.
Example Answer: “I’m really impressed by [Restaurant Name]’s dedication to sustainable practices and locally sourced ingredients. I read about your partnership with [local farm] and that really resonated with me, as I believe in supporting local businesses and offering guests the freshest possible food.”
This shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in what makes this restaurant unique.
2. Describe How You Would Handle a Busy Shift When a Coworker is Struggling.
For the Interviewer: Instead of asking a generic question about handling stress, this scenario-based question provides a realistic glimpse into the candidate’s teamwork and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment. It assesses their ability to prioritize, assist colleagues, and remain effective under pressure, all vital in a busy restaurant.
For the Interviewee: Situational questions like this are common in server interviews. Focus on past experiences where you’ve demonstrated teamwork and support. Emphasize the actions you took, not just your feelings. Highlight your proactive approach to helping others and maintaining team efficiency during busy times.
3. What Qualities Are Most Important for a Server to Succeed?
For the Interviewer: This question offers insight into the candidate’s understanding of the server role and its demands. Their answer reveals if they grasp the core responsibilities and necessary skills. Compare their response to your restaurant server job description to see if their perception aligns with your expectations. Don’t hesitate to ask follow-up questions to understand their reasoning behind each quality they mention.
For the Interviewee: Focus on a few key qualities that are crucial for server success, ideally those highlighted in the job description. Align your answer with the job requirements to demonstrate your understanding. Choose qualities you genuinely possess and are actively developing. This portrays you as a candidate who is already equipped for success in the role.
4. Tell Me About Your Previous Server Role at [Previous Restaurant Name]. What Did You Like and Dislike?
For the Interviewer: This question dives into the candidate’s work history, revealing their experience level, responsibilities, and areas of expertise. It helps identify transferable skills and potential training needs. Their “likes” and “dislikes” can also offer insights into their personality and cultural fit. Pay attention to whether they speak professionally about past employers or resort to negativity.
For the Interviewee: Be prepared to summarize your previous experience concisely. Highlight your daily responsibilities, key skills you developed (like handling large parties or wine knowledge), and any professional growth you experienced. When discussing dislikes, remain professional and focus on seeking growth opportunities rather than criticizing past employers.
Example Answer: “In my previous role, I really enjoyed the fast-paced environment and the camaraderie with my team. I developed strong communication and multitasking skills while serving a high volume of guests. However, I felt limited in opportunities for advancement, which is why I’m seeking a role where I can continue to learn and grow professionally.”
5. What is Your Availability Like? Can You Work Nights, Weekends, and Holidays?
For the Interviewer: Staffing is a constant challenge in the restaurant industry. This straightforward question determines the candidate’s scheduling flexibility and commitment. Understanding their availability helps you assess if they can meet your restaurant’s staffing needs, especially during peak hours.
For the Interviewee: Express your willingness to be a team player and accommodate the restaurant’s needs. Restaurants often require flexibility, especially during evenings, weekends, and holidays. Be honest about any fixed commitments, but emphasize your willingness to work a flexible schedule and contribute to the team’s success. If flexibility is a priority for you, consider exploring on-demand staffing platforms for more control over your schedule.
6. Describe a Time You Made a Mistake While Serving. How Did You Handle It and What Did You Learn?
For the Interviewer: This question assesses the candidate’s accountability, problem-solving abilities, and resilience. It reveals how they handle pressure and learn from errors. Do they take responsibility, or blame others? Their answer demonstrates their capacity for growth and commitment to improving customer experience.
For the Interviewee: Honesty and a focus on learning are key. Don’t try to appear perfect. Choose a genuine mistake, explain how you rectified the situation, and most importantly, highlight the lesson you learned and how you’ve applied it to prevent recurrence. This shows maturity and a commitment to continuous improvement.
7. What Motivated You to Apply for This Server Role?
For the Interviewer: Understanding the candidate’s motivations goes beyond qualifications. It helps gauge their genuine interest in the role and your restaurant specifically. Are they truly interested in serving, or just looking for any job? This question helps identify candidates who are genuinely enthusiastic and committed to the position.
For the Interviewee: While practical reasons like location or pay are valid, your answer should also highlight what attracts you to this specific restaurant and the server role itself. Connect your personal goals with the restaurant’s values or opportunities for growth. Show how this role aligns with your career aspirations and how you can contribute to the restaurant’s success.
Example Answer: “I was drawn to [Restaurant Name] because of its reputation for excellent customer service and positive employee culture. I’m looking for a restaurant where I can develop my customer service skills and be part of a team that values employee growth and satisfaction.”
This answer shows you’re seeking more than just a job; you’re looking for a positive and growth-oriented work environment.
8. How Would You Deal With an Angry Customer Who is Unhappy With Their Meal?
For the Interviewer: This behavioral question tests the candidate’s composure, conflict resolution skills, and customer service approach in a stressful situation. Observe their body language and tone. Do they remain calm and professional, or become flustered? Their response reveals their ability to handle difficult situations gracefully and maintain customer satisfaction.
For the Interviewee: If you have experience, share a specific example of successfully defusing a customer complaint. If not, outline the steps you would take: listen empathetically, apologize, find a solution, and ensure the customer feels heard and valued. Emphasize your commitment to turning a negative situation into a positive resolution.
9. Give an Example of a Time You Worked Effectively as Part of a Team. What Was Your Role and the Outcome?
For the Interviewer: Teamwork is paramount in a restaurant setting. This question assesses the candidate’s ability to collaborate, communicate, and contribute to a team environment. While you can train skills, team compatibility is crucial for a harmonious and efficient workplace.
For the Interviewee: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answer. Describe a situation where teamwork was essential, your specific role, the actions you took, and the positive outcome achieved through collaboration. Highlight your teamwork skills and your contribution to the team’s success.
10. Describe a Time You Went Above and Beyond for a Guest. What Was the Result?
For the Interviewer: This question reveals the candidate’s understanding of exceptional customer service and their willingness to go the extra mile. It helps determine if they are truly service-oriented and understand what it means to create memorable experiences for guests. You can also ask them to define “customer service” to understand their personal philosophy.
For the Interviewee: Emphasize your dedication to providing outstanding service. Share a specific story where you exceeded a guest’s expectations, making their experience special. Connect this example to your key skills and the restaurant’s values (if possible). Highlight the positive impact on the customer and any resulting positive feedback or repeat business.
Streamline Your Server Hiring Process
Finding and hiring quality restaurant servers doesn’t have to be a time-consuming process. Consider leveraging modern solutions like Qwick to simplify your staffing.
Qwick connects you with pre-vetted and qualified hospitality professionals, from servers and bartenders to baristas and more, ready to fill your open shifts quickly. Instead of lengthy interviews, Qwick provides access to talent on demand.
Ready to optimize your restaurant staffing? Create a Qwick account today and discover a more efficient way to build your team.
