Server Interview Questions

Server Interview Questions

Restaurants count on servers to provide exceptional customer service regardless of the situation. Interviewers will be looking for candidates who are skilled in communicating, multitasking, and maintaining a friendly attitude under pressure. Make sure to be familiar with the restaurant's menu items, understand standard restaurant operations, and know how to respond to an unsatisfied customer.

21,960 Server interview questions shared by candidates

Top Server Interview Questions & How To Answer

Here are three top server questions and how to answer them:

Question #1: How would you handle an irate customer?

How to answer: This question, or variations of it, are popular in server interviews. Talk about how you would try to calm the customer down in a polite and respectful manner before asking management for assistance. Try to avoid any response that might involve you showing aggression toward the irate customer. Focus on effective conflict resolution, an important skill for servers to develop.

Question #2: How do you handle high-intensity dinner rushes?

How to answer: Questions like these are designed to measure your skills in task and time management. Highlight your ability to quickly decide which tasks need priority over others. You might touch on your ability to stay calm in high-stress situations such as having to serve multiple tables at once.

Question #3: What do you know about our business?

How to answer: Before you go into a server interview, be sure to research the company you're applying to so that you'll be prepared to answer questions like these. This question is designed to see if you're truly interested in working for this company or simply interested in having a server position anywhere.

Top Interview Questions

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Cafe Server/Baker/Cashier was asked...February 7, 2016

What do you know about vegan, gluten free, kosher, etc diets?

2 Answers

Ansered with personal knowledge of trying various diets and own research into these foods. Knowledge of nutritional benefits and what can or cannot be in (insert diet here) is important. Less

Answered with personal knowledge of trying various diets and own research into these foods. Knowledge of nutritional benefits and what can or cannot be in (insert diet here) is important. Less

TGI Fridays

How would you describe your attitude towards guests who are not always pleasant?

2 Answers

Remember that it's part of the job and don't let it discourage you. Not everyone has worked customer service so they don't always see how upsetting it can be to work for tips. Remember that the good tippers usually outweigh the bad. Provide wonderful customer service and great attention to detail, even if they seem like they don't want to be bothered. Less

I will continue being me doing my job with a smile on my face people get there days I understand that but I will not let nobody make me lose my job Less

Ritz-Carlton

Tell me about a time where you contributed to the success to your department.

1 Answers

I saw an opportunity to improve the aesthetics of our coffee breaks, so I researched products and created themes that I presented to my manager. Many of them are now being used. Less

They asked if I had fine dining experience

1 Answers

I did not.

Romano's Macaroni Grill
Server/Hostess was asked...September 16, 2011

What would you do if a customer orders a meal and they dislike it?

1 Answers

If a customer orders a meal and they do not like it, I would definitely ask them for feedback on what made the meal unappetizing to them and try to ask questions as to what kinds of foods they like to find something they would better be suited with. I would also make sure to get a manager involved, as they can do a lot more in a situation like this than a server can. Less

Romano's Macaroni Grill
Server/Hostess was asked...September 16, 2011

If a customer came in and asked if you had a specific item they no longer have on the menu, and we don't have the right ingredients to make it, what would you do?

1 Answers

In this situation I would get a manager to help assist the customer because most of all of the managers in this company have culinary experience where they would be able to make the desired meal pretty closely to how it's supposed to be made. (The manager that interview me told me this would be the correct thing to do.) Less

Applebee's

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?

12 Answers

When applying for a pizza delivery person, one question was how I could benefit from scissors. Less

The idea that this interview question has anything to do with hiring the best employees for a restaurant chain. Less

Funny you should ask that... I just got a text from Friday's saying I got the job I was interviewing for last week - with double the amount of pay I was asking for. Would you like to try and beat their offer ? Less

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Del Frisco's Restaurant Group

General bio questions and about hospitality experience

7 Answers

Im working for 14 years in of restaurant hotel

I'm friendly

14 years

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Jack Astor's

If you were to be a utensil which one would you be and why?

7 Answers

A spoon because it has the curved. smooth style of a porsche. While aesthetically pleasing, it remains strong yet flexible with the versatility to dig and gather or sift and search. Less

A silver spoon. To feel rich while being kept warm, and in the dark.

A knife because I am a person who always likes to know the logic of things. It would give me the answers why a particular dish tastes good or not. Less

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The Cheesecake Factory
Server was asked...October 29, 2010

Did you believe that you learn something new everyday?

5 Answers

Yes

Chiken burger

Yes

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