Hospitality interview questions and how to answer them

1. Tell me about yourself

Give a 30-second answer: your role, your experience, and why this venue. Do not recite your whole CV.

2. Why do you want to work here?

Name something specific about the venue: the menu, the style of service, the location. Generic answers like 'I need a job' lose the room.

3. Tell me about a difficult customer

Use a simple structure: the situation, what you did, the result. Stay calm in the story. Show that you listened, fixed the problem or brought in a manager, and kept the customer.

4. What do you do when it gets very busy?

Talk about prioritising, communicating with the team, and staying calm. A real example from a busy Friday night is better than any theory.

5. How do you handle a no-show or running late?

Managers are really asking about reliability. Say you give as much notice as possible, and describe how you make sure it is rare.

6. What is your availability?

Be honest and specific, and say if you can work weekends and nights. If you have a visa hours limit, mention it clearly and early.

7. Responsible service of alcohol

If the role serves alcohol, you may be asked what you would do when a customer looks intoxicated. Show that you know your RSA obligations: refuse service politely, involve a manager, and never serve to minors.

Before you walk in

• Visit the venue as a customer, or look at the menu online
• Bring your RSA and RCG certificates, and ID
• Arrive ten minutes early and dress for the venue
• Prepare two questions, such as the roster pattern and training
• Offer to do a short trial shift