Waitress

This question typically follows on from the previous one. Here is where your research will come in handy. You may want to say that you want to work for a company that is x, y, z, (market leader, innovator, provides a vital service, whatever it may be). Put some thought into this beforehand, be specific and link the company's values and mission statement to your own goals and career plans.

There is no right or wrong answer here. The logic behind this type of question is that your past behaviour is likely to predict what you will do in the future. What the interviewer is looking for is to understand what you find difficult.

I suppose my least favourite part of waitressing is when you get an unhappy customer. Sometimes you get that customer who was in a bad mood when they arrived and they're unhappy with everything you do. It's alright, I'm used to it and I know how to remain professional throughout the situation.

I have experience working as a barista, so I'm happy to use the machines when I need to.

For health and safety, I always keep my hair tied back at work. In the past, I've worn blue plasters on my fingers if they've been cut. When there is broken glass on the floor, I know to alert another colleague and get it cleaned up quickly to avoid injuring our diners or staff. At work I always make sure to wear appropriate work shoes, to reduce the chance of slipping or falling.

Besides writing, can you name 5 uses for a pencil?

I can't tell you the amount of times I have hired an "experienced" server, only to find out that their alcohol knowledge is horrible. I can train them, but in a full service bar or restaurant, it is so much more helpful if they come in with the proper knowledge that every server should have anyway. Asking them these questions helps me qualify them; are they the right fit for my restaurant?

As my training dictates, I will apologize to the customer and make sure that a new order is expedited. I will then look into the matter to determine why an incorrect order was sent.

I've worked in similar busy jobs where I've had to be on my feet for most of my shift. I'm used to it and I enjoy this type of work.

I have actually never been asked this, but think it would be a great question. Every manager knows that s*^% can hit the fan, especially for the poor new guy. The poor new guy knows this as well. I believe asking this question will make the server talk about their past mistakes, (if they admit to any). It will also open a gateway for conversation about their past mistakes; how they handled them and if they own them, or if they pass the buck and blame others.

All of these attributes (in my own opinion) are extremely important so there is no "right" answer. Sometimes there is a "personality/specialty" gap in the team that needs to be filled. If we are having a problem with the team keeping things clean and organized, I might be more interested in the person that thinks their past co-workers would classify them being super clean.

Here the emphasis is on the implemented. You may have had many brilliant ideas, but what the interviewer is looking for is something that has actually materialized. Be prepared to briefly describe how it went from an idea to implementation stage.

In an industry that is all about saying yes, it is sometimes difficult to say no. Many professional servers are very anxious when it comes to defining policy and thinking of the company's bottom line rather than their own. Sometimes small conflicts occur and must be addressed. This question is a great way to find out how they would react to this un-common but inevitable scenario.

Definitely. I am well-versed in handling POS systems and can easily process both cash and credit card payments, along with making sure that the cash drawer is balanced at the end of the shift.

I've worked in restaurants before and I think I got along with everyone I worked with. I do my job and I'm happy to help if anyone ever needs it. I enjoy having a laugh with my colleagues and getting to know them.

The great thing about this question is that it puts them at ease, and lets them answer without feeling like there is a right and wrong answer. But, the answer to this shows me to what extent they are passionate about food and wine. If their answer is "Cabernet", without much explanation, it suggests that they do not spend much time learning about wine and expanding their knowledge. But, if they say "I'm a fan of Thai food, so a German Riesling, especially from Mosel or Nahe, are personal favorites" I gather that their passion for food and wine doesn't stop when they leave work.

I am a pleasant individual with exceptional experience in servicing patrons so that they leave happy and come back for more. My suggestive selling skills are impeccable and my knowledge of handling food and beverage services is also quite well-placed.

In my free time I like going out with my friends. On the weekends, we enjoy going shopping. I particularly like going in clothes shops like H&M and Zara. When I can, I like going to the cinema and seeing the latest blockbuster films like Avengers Assemble.

It is something in the gut that tells you within the first 5 minutes of meeting someone whether or not you like this person (or want to hire this person).

There are several ways of addressing this one. You may be the sort of person that works well under pressure; you may even thrive under pressure. Whatever the case, make sure you don't say you panic. You want to give specific examples of stressful situations and how well you dealt with them. You may also want to list a few tools you use to help you, such as to-do lists, etc. It is alright to say that you will ask for assistance when the job is more than what you can handle. It is equally acceptable to say that you work best under pressure if this is indeed the case and relevant to the particular role.