Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Great hostesses are critical for the success of any restaurant, as they determine the first and last impression of any guest.
In this article, our experts will discuss the most common questions that you'll encounter when applying for a hostess job, as well as the best answers to impress any hiring manager.
Key Takeaways:
Hostess candidates should highlight their customer service skills and communication skills because those are important to be successful as a hostess.
Interviewers should create hostess behavioral question along with common interview questions and be prepared to answer any questions the candidate may ask.
Looking for a job? These position are hiring now near you:
Tell me about yourself
This is a common question that is typically asked to get to know you better. Be sure your answer highlights your relevant experiences and skills.
Example Answer:
I have worked in the hospitality industry for the past three years, primarily in upscale restaurants. During this time, I have gained experience in managing guest flow, seating arrangements, and reservations.
In my previous role, I successfully managed seating rotations and waitlists during busy periods to ensure optimal table turnover while prioritizing guest satisfaction. I believe my experience, attention to detail, and my passion for providing outstanding guest experiences make me confident in my ability to excel in the hostess role here.
How many tables or customers are you able or experienced in serving at once?
The key to answering this question is honesty. Otherwise, your employer will find out you exaggerated once they hire you anyways.
In addition to providing an actual number, emphasize the caveat that you're also a hard worker who constantly improves their ability to work efficiently.
I've served up to 20 customers at a time before, but I bet I could handle 25. I'm also an extremely hard worker who is always rapidly improving.
How long do you plan to stay with the restaurant?
The restaurant industry experiences high employee turnover, so employers are wary about investing in employees who may not last long-term.
You don't need to answer with an explicit time frame.
Instead, try to align your values with the restaurant, which will address the employer's concerns and demonstrate your dedication.
I'm not sure, but I plan on staying for a good amount of time. I'm excited to build on my skills and grow the restaurant together continuously.
Why did you leave your last restaurant job?
Similar to the previous question, this question is meant to assess your dedication to the job.
The employer also wants to know that you're an agreeable and cooperative worker and professional enough not to throw blame at previous restaurants.
Answer this question honestly with the real reason you left. Just make sure that you also touch upon the above points.
I loved working with the previous restaurant and team, but I left to return to university.
How would you respond to a guest who asked you a question you don't know the answer to?
Give a response similar to:
I would smile and very politely tell the guest that I don't know, but I'd be happy to check for them.
This answer works because it:
Emphasizes the importance of always being polite to the guest.
Shows how you would quickly take action to solve the problem.
What would you do if you saw another staff member being rude to a guest?
Your answer should stress:
How unacceptable you believe such actions to be.
Your immediate actions to fix the situation.
I would immediately pull the staff member aside. I would then apologize sincerely to the guest and politely provide them whatever they need. After the customer is pleased, I would report the incident to the restaurant.
How well do you perform in a fast-paced work environment?
This is a prevalent question in the restaurant industry, as it is notoriously face-paced and hectic.
The best way to answer is to provide an example from a past job to show how you could successfully operate in such an environment.
I have a strong history working in similar, fast-paced environments. At one of my previous jobs as a customer experience specialist at BestBuy, I politely and efficiently served over 30 customers per hour while maintaining a review score of 4.8/5.
What would you do if the phone started ringing while you were greeting a customer?
When answering this question, you need to demonstrate your ability to delegate time and prioritize the guest.
I would first greet the guest and then excuse myself for a moment to answer the phone. I would then ask the caller to hold for a moment and seat the guest.
What would you do if a party of eight came in and claimed they had a reservation but were not scheduled on the books?
Your answer needs to convey your ability to confidently adapt to new problems on the fly and maintain professionalism and a high level of service in doing so.
I would explain that an eight-person table was not currently available, but that I could organize one for them as soon as possible. I would also invite them to grab a drink at the bar while I prepared their table.
How would you respond to leaving guests who were dissatisfied with the restaurant?
This may happen occasionally so it's important to know how to handle this situation properly.
I would tell the guests that I was sorry that they didn't enjoy their stay, as well ask them if they would be willing to come back after speaking with a manager.
What would you do if a customer asked for an item that the restaurant serves?
The key is to show your flexibility, ability to think quickly, and dedication to making the customer happy.
I would politely tell the customer that we no longer serve that item, but that I would be happy to check with the manager and chefs if we could still make it for them.
How would you respond if a sweet old couple never tipped well but requested you every Thursday when they came in?
It may seem unfair, but the best way to answer is to demonstrate that you prioritize the customer over yourself.
I would gladly serve them. The customer always comes first!
What do you know about our restaurant?
Do your research ahead of time and prepare for this question.
Employers love hiring hosts/hostesses that represent their restaurants' values and what they're all about.
Your answer should quickly hit on a few of the following aspects:
Restaurant theme/type of food
Values
History
Community engagement
I know that the restaurant focuses on fresh-caught seafood. I'm also familiar with the Friday night dances, as well as the support you provide to local charities and children’s groups.
Based on the job description, which skills are you especially experienced in and which would you like to receive further training in?
The key is to answer this question honestly, as your employer will discover any lies or exaggeration when you need to perform the job’s duties.
It's essential to convey your willingness and desire to learn anything necessary for the position.
I'm proficient in all the primary requirements, especially greeting customers and making them feel welcome. I'm quick on my feet but admittedly could get a bit better at making decisions during hectic times.
However, I'm constantly improving and developing my skills!
How would you respond to a customer who has special dietary restrictions?
I always do whatever is necessary to make guests happy. If a customer had a dietary restriction, I would tell them about all the similar dishes that lack the ingredients they can't eat.
I would also offer to speak with the chef to see if they could modify the existing recipe to suit the needs of the customer.
A hostess must stand for much of their shift. What methods do you use to stay comfortable?
Employers look for hostesses who are at least experienced enough to be aware of some common strategies to stay comfortable and optimally effective on the job.
While off the job, I make sure to exercise and get plenty of sleep to make sure that I'm healthy and always on time for work. On the job, I maintain proper posture to put minimal strain on my body, as well to look professional and snappy for guests.
During slower hours, how do you plan to spend your downtime?
It's essential to show that you're always prepared to greet and serve guests at a moment's notice, no matter how slow the restaurant seems to be.
I may take a seat and rest my legs for a little bit, but I'll always stay alert and ready to serve our customers as soon as they walk through that door.
What does a good or bad hostess add or subtract from a restaurant?
Understanding the purpose of a host or hostess is key to understanding how to fulfill the role best.
The host or hostess dictates the first and last impression that each customer has with the restaurant. It's important to always represent the restaurant positively by remaining polite and professional at all times.
How would you respond to a customer who stole from the restaurant?
You need to show your understanding that the most important thing is not to disrupt other customers’ experiences.
I would quickly and quietly report the incident to the manager rather than draw attention.
Would you be willing to dress as a carrot?
Many themed restaurants will ask a silly question like this to assess your dedication to the team and make sure you have a positive, light-hearted attitude.
Yes, of course! That sounds fun.
How do you manage seating arrangements to ensure efficient table turnover and optimal guest satisfaction during peak dining hours?
Can you explain the steps you take to greet and welcome guests as they arrive at the restaurant? What specific techniques do you use to make them feel valued and comfortable?
How do you handle a situation where a guest has a special request for seating preferences due to specific needs or preferences?
Describe the process you follow to manage the waitlist during busy periods. How do you balance estimated wait times, guest expectations, and available table turnover?
How do you handle guest complaints or conflicts related to seating arrangements, such as if a guest is dissatisfied with their assigned table or requests to be moved?
In what ways do you ensure effective communication between the hostess team, waitstaff, and other restaurant staff to facilitate smooth operations and excellent guest service?
Can you discuss your approach to managing reservations? How do you handle changes, cancellations, or conflicting requests while maintaining accurate records and ensuring proper communication with guests?
How do you prioritize seating requests and accommodate special considerations, such as accommodating large groups, ensuring accessible seating, or managing VIP reservations?
Explain how you maintain knowledge of the restaurant layout, table configurations, and seating capacity to optimize seating efficiency and provide accurate information to guests.
How do you manage the flow of guests during busy periods to ensure an organized and efficient seating process? Describe any strategies or techniques you use to streamline the seating process and minimize guest wait times.
As a Candidate:
Research and know current industry trends. To help answer industry related interview questions, be sure you up to date with the latest trends and innovations in the hospitality industry.
Highlight your customer service skills. You need excellent customer service skills to be a hostess so it's important to highlight these skills in your interview answers. Use examples from your past experiences to help you highlight these skills.
Prepare questions to ask the interviewer. You should be asking thoughtful questions to your interviewer. They should relate to any specific challenges and opportunities within the hostess role, training and support provided, and the restaurants approach to guest satisfaction.
As an Interviewer:
Understand the position. To know who your ideal candidate should be, make sure you have an understanding of the role and the roles and responsibilities required. Review the job description to help you.
Create behavioral interview questions. You should create a list of hostess behavioral interview questions to help you get an understanding of how the candidate will react in specific situations. You should also create a list of common interview questions to include as well.
Be prepared to answer questions. The candidate should be asking questions regarding the role and the company. To help you answer the questions, you should know the job position well, know the company or organization you are working for, and stay up to date on industry trends.