The U.S. restaurant industry employs 14.7 million people. The range of duties extends beyond chefs and waiting staff. Each restaurant role is distinct and requires specific interview questions to identify the best person for the job.
Whether you’re looking to simply stay up to date on restaurant industry trends, looking for a job in the restaurant industry, or a great restaurant manager who wants to make sure that you’re putting your best foot forward in every interview, here are 7 restaurant interview tips and tricks to keep in mind.
1. Show up on time
It seems basic, but surprisingly, a lot of people are late to restaurant interviews. A good restaurant employee is prompt and reliable, and you should demonstrate those qualities at the interview. Give yourself ample time to reach the location. Rushing will affect your interview performance, so if you think you might be late, call ahead to advise them of the situation.
Here are some tips you should do in the 15 minutes before a job interview:
● Stay calm and keep your mind clear
● Be friendly to everyone you encounter
● Decide on one or two things you want to be remembered for
● Focus on your posture
● Don’t check your voicemail, email, or social media.
2. Be aware of employment laws
While it seems obvious, it’s important to know what things you can and can’t ask during an interview by law. Whether you are becoming a restaurant manager or a server it is very important to be aware of restaurant employment laws and avoid compliance issues and even lawsuits. Under federal law, an employer cannot illegally discriminate in the hiring process based on a job applicant’s race, national origin, gender, pregnancy, age, disability, or religion. Employers must abide by anti-discrimination laws at each stage of the hiring process, from placing a job ad, to interviewing, to the final selection of the candidate to be hired.
3. Do your research
Reinforce a good first impression by being prepared for the interview. Career experts always advise performing company research before heading into the big interview. Make it your goal to be the best-informed candidate to walk into that interview room and you will stand out from the other applicants.
Research tips:
● Get to know the company’s website and read the About Us section
● Find out the company’s history
● Compare the company to other companies in its industry
● Read articles where the company is mentioned
4. Appearance matters
First impressions are important in job interviews. When you show up for an interview, you want your outfit to be appropriate — but remember, “interview-appropriate” will have different meanings at different companies.
Here’s what NOT to wear:
● Loud and bright colors
● Revealing clothing
● Distressed jeans
● Clothes with stains
● Inappropriate footwear
● Animal prints
5. Be prepared with questions and answers
Every kitchen has its own culture and demands, so the particular questions will differ accordingly. Plan ahead for how you’ll use your responses and questions to showcase your personality which can show the interview and candidate if this is the right culture fit. Your interviewer won’t care about everything you’ve done – only the things that are applicable to the specific job you’re applying for.
Some example questions to ask are:
● What are some of the challenges you expect the person in this position to face?
● What new skills can I learn here?
● Who’s your ideal candidate and how can I make myself more like them?
● What’s your timeline for next steps?
If you need some help thinking of restaurant interview questions, check out this article: Restaurant interview questions for every position for some ideas.
6. Don’t talk about money
At least, don’t talk about money during the first interview. Asking about money before you even know if you’re right for the position can make you look inexperienced, or worse, unprofessional. It can also suggest that you are motivated by the wrong things. Talking about salary and wages is still necessary in the interview process, but it comes last, not first.
7. Expect to follow-up
Following up is an important step to show a hiring manager that you’re still interested, understand the company’s needs, and hopefully, close the deal. Before you follow up, make sure you ask about the next steps of the hiring process: when is it okay to follow up? When are they likely to make a hiring decision? This information will help you better plan for the follow-up process and when to check in for updates.
A 2017 survey from Accountemps found that HR managers like to be contacted by:
● Email – 94%
● Handwritten Note – 86%
● Phone Call – 56%
● Social Media – 7%
● Text Message – 5%
This post was written by Kristin Eriksen, Kristin is a creative and results-driven content specialist at Deputy. She is a recent grad from Florida State University with a degree in Information, Communication, and Technology. In her spare time, she enjoys reading a good book, the sounds of a great playlist, and seeking adventures in the outdoors.