Chapter 1: What is your greatest strength?

This question is a popular question for most types of interviews. It's the kind of question, an interviewer
asks to see if you're well suited for the job. To give the best answer you need to make it relevant to your
job. For example:

Example Answer: "I think my greatest strength would be my experience, I've worked as a waitress for
three years and I'm used to working independently and part as a team."

Interviewers will want to hear answers like 'my personality' or 'my experience.' Successful waitresses do
well in their job if they have experience and they're friendly to customers. To show your interviewer
you're telling the truth, use your CV or describe a time, to prove your greatest strength is real and not
made up.

Chapter 2: What is your weakness?

You need to be careful with this question. Being too honest can dash all hopes of you getting the job.
Here is an example of a good answer:
Example Answer: "Because I focus on making customers happy, I can get quite stressed. I understand
you can't make every customer happy but I want to show I'm good at my job."

Business owners like to see their employees are willing to go the extra mile for their customers. If you
can prove that you're willing to go out of your way to help people, you'll shine in the interview.

Chapter 3: What experience do you have?

Perhaps one of the biggest deal breakers. Not many managers want newbies working in their restaurant
- that's why it can be so hard to get experience. Make sure you have some work experience on your CV.

Example Answer: "I have experience working in another restaurant, I worked busy shifts and I'm used to
serving large parties. From my experience I feel comfortable talking to customers."

Interviewers like facts. If you have worked in a restaurant for over a year, make sure you tell them. If
you've only had two months experience, focus on telling them about everything you've learned to show
them you're a quick learner.

If you've never had experience working specifically as a waitress you can refer to examples when you
worked in other service industries (hospitality, catering, caring, etc) or use examples from other jobs
where you've had to work with customers. Waitresses work closely with people, so if you've never
worked as a waitress before, make sure you've had work experience working with customers to increase
your chances of winning the interview.

Chapter 4: What is your favourite part about being a waitress?

Interviewers want to see you have passion for the job. Use this opportunity to show why you applied for
a waitressing job rather than an office vacancy. One good example can be:

Example Answer: "Waitressing gives me the opportunity to learn on my feet and I get to serve different
customers. As there are new people in the restaurant every day, it means every day is different."

Be genuine about your answer, the interviewer will be able to tell if you're being honest or remembering
the script you wrote that morning.

If you've never been a waitress before, this question will not apply to you.
To view more Waitress Interview Questions, click the link below! (No Email Required!).

Chapter 5: What do you like least about being a waitress?

Just like question 2, be careful what you say here. If you say, "I don't like waitressing, I just need the
money," you might as well just leave the interview now. The manager will want to see you have some
passion for the job.

Example Answer: "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."

If you've never been a waitress before, this question will not apply to you.

Chapter 6: Describe a time you had to overcome a challenge

Along with 'describe a time you had to work as part of a team', this question is one that regularly
appears. As working as a waitress can be quite challenging, you need to show you can cope in difficult
situations.

Example Answer: "In my last job, I had to work on Christmas Day. As it was busy, I had to help look after
three Christmas parties and it was very challenging. As I was working with another waitress, we worked
as a team to serve the larger parties together so they did not have to wait longer for their food to be
served. I had to keep on my toes as food was coming out quick and customers wanted more drinks."

Give details, the interviewer will want to see how you coped with the challenge and if you had a
successful ending.

Chapter 7: Why do you want to work at this restaurant?

Here's the time to show your interviewer you did some research before you came to the interview. Tell
them some positive points about the restaurant. What do you like? The dining experience, the
employees or the positive reputation.

If you've eaten at the restaurant before or you're a regular, that will surely win you some extra points.

Example Answer: "I really like the kind of food the restaurant serves. I love Italian food and I wanted to
apply for a job where I could show my passion for the food when customers ask me questions."
Chapter 8: Can you prepare tables?

One of the main responsibilities for a waitress is to set the tables with the correct cutlery, glasses and
table cloth. In some busy shifts, you will be expected to remove plates and glasses, then quickly prepare
the table for the next guests. So, it's important you can do it independently and correctly.

Example Answer: "Yes, in my last job as a waitress I had to set out cutlery correctly. I know how to set
out different types of wine glasses when preparing a table."

Chapter 9: Do you have experience making and/or serving desserts?

In some restaurants, waitresses and waiters are responsible for dessert orders. Cutting cakes, serving ice
cream and working on the dessert presentation can become a daily responsibility for you.

Example Answer: "I've got experience making ice cream sundaes. When I first started at my last job, my
manager taught me how to make them correctly and since then I followed the recipe and instructions."
If you don't have experience, show your willingness to learn.

Chapter 10: Are you comfortable carrying serving plates?

Carrying plates is one of the main duties of a waitress. If you can't carry plates or a tray, you're going to
struggle to get the job. The technique to carrying 2-3 plates isn't difficult, once you get it, you've got it.

Example Answer: "I can comfortably carry two plates from the kitchen to the restaurant. Depending on
the plates, I can sometimes carry three at a time."

This is one of the most common waitress interview questions, so if you've never worked as a waitress
before, get some practice before your interview because they might ask you to show them that you can
carry three plates.

Chapter 11: How would you deal with an angry customer?

Facing an angry customer can be a daunting experience, especially if they lose their temper. In most
cases, customers are annoyed about something else in the restaurant and unfairly direct it at their food
server. In all scenarios, you should react calmly and avoid getting angry yourself.

Example Answer: "After listening to the customer, I would try and think of a solution. If I'm unable to
deal with the problem myself, I'd find my manager or another senior member of staff."

Chapter 12: Do you have bar experience?

Nowadays, restaurant employees like their waiting staff to have plenty of skills. If the bar gets busy but
the restaurant is quiet, waitresses with bar experience can work on the bar to help the rest of the staff.

Example Answer: "I used to work on a bar a couple of years ago. I learned how to make cocktails and
pour draught beer."

If you have no experience working behind a bar, show your interest in learning this new skill.

Chapter 13: Can you make coffees using a coffee machine?

Whilst making drinks is usually the bar staff's responsibility, waiters and waitresses will sometimes be
expected to make teas and coffees if the bar staff is busy. Using those hi-tech barista machines can be
scary if it's your first time using them but once you understand the method of making coffee, you'll be
fine.
Example Answer: "I have experience working as a barista, so I'm happy to use the machines when I need
to."

Again, if you have no experience, show your willingness to learn. Managers don't mind teaching people
if they are willing to listen and learn.

Chapter 14: What do you do in your free time?

Don't be surprised if you get questions about your hobbies and what you do outside of work. Employers
want to know what you're like as a person and if you will mix well with their other employees.
Waitresses have to be sociable and comfortable talking to new people, your choice of hobbies can prove
you're comfortable working with customers.

Example Answer: "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. "

Always add a little more information. Rather than just saying "I like going shopping", say where you like
to go so you can share more personal information about yourself and make your interview more
memorable.
Chapter 15: Why do you think you would make a great addition to our team?

When you've worked in a great restaurant: the chefs, servers and management are like a family. They
are a team working together. Some interviewers will be asking more questions about your personality
rather than your skills, because they want to see if you will be a good fit with the rest of the team.
Highlight your positives, let your personality shine and prove you would work well at their restaurant.

Example Answer: "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."

Don't be disheartened if you didn't get a job because you don't think the interviewer clicked with you
personally. You cannot get along with everyone. All you can do is be honest because if you pretend to be
someone you're not, they will figure it out eventually.

Chapter 16: What is your knowledge like on wines?

As a food waiter, you will often be asked about wines. In some restaurants, you can get a Sommelier,
this is a wine steward who specialises in wine service. Although you won't need to be a wine specialist,
it's good to have some knowledge on which foods go best with which wine for the occasions when you
are asked by a diner.
Example Answer: "I'm not much of a wine drinker but I have a good sense of which wines pair well with
certain foods, because of my previous experience as a waitress. If I started working here, I would like to
have a look at the wine list and find out which dishes work best with which wines. So if a customers asks
me, I can give them a good recommendation."

Chapter 17: Have you worked long shifts before? Do you feel comfortable working on your feet?

Some people who start their first waitress jobs quickly discover if they like or dislike this type of work.
Being a waitress is an active job, you're very busy and you're on your feet for long hours at a time. You
need to show your interviewer you can do the job and be happy doing it.

Example Answer: "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."

Valencia: smart work shoes for waitresses

Wearing supportive work shoes can reduce foot pain and support your feet through long shifts.

Chapter 18: Have you worked long shifts before? Do you feel comfortable working on your feet?

It can happen to anyone, serving a customer and then making a mistake, like giving them the wrong
change, wrong food order or forgetting a request. Whilst it's important not to do it often, you must be
willing to admit your mistakes and fix the situation. This is a sign of a great waitress.
Example Answer: "I took a food order and accidentally wrote down chicken burger instead of beef
burger. When I brought the order, I realised I had made a mistake, I was obviously embarrassed. I
apologised to the customer, who was thankfully very nice about it and then I went to the chefs who
were about to get a beef burger ready in 10 minutes. I served it to the customer and apologised again."

Chapter 19: What do you expect your daily responsibilities will be if you got this job?

The interviewer wants to see if you a) read the job advert properly and b) understand what it means to
be a waitress. Explain what the responsibilities are of most waitresses and most importantly, read the
advert before going to the interview to make sure you understand what they want from you.

Example Answer: "From your job advert, I thought it would be a normal waitress role. Taking orders,
serving meals, cleaning tables and helping with drink orders. I remember the advert saying that you
would need the candidate to work every other Sunday, which I'm happy to do."

Chapter 20: As a waitress, it is important to maintain health and safety at work, how would you keep
yourself, and your colleagues, safe at work?
Whilst this is not a very common question, more employers want to see their staff respecting health and
safety rules at work. In a 2013/14 study by HSE they discovered the cost of injuries at work cost
employers £2.8 billion. Show your future employer how you respect health and safety at work.

Example answer: "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."

With your response, show your awareness of potential hazards in a restaurant and how you actively
reduce your chances, along with your colleagues' and diners', of having an accident.

Present: Talk a little bit about what your current role is, the scope of it, and perhaps a big recent
accomplishment.

Past: Tell the interviewer how you got there and/or mention previous experience that’s relevant to the
job and company you’re applying for.

Future: Segue into what you’re looking to do next and why you’re interested in this gig (and a great fit
for it, too).

Waiter/Waitress - (22025038)

Description

HOTEL OVERVIEW: 

Fairmont The Palm is a luxury, world-class resort located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah Island in Dubai. The hotel features 3
Fairmont Gold rooms and lounge. A total of 11 food and beverage outlets on property offer international dining options in
Churrasco experience, Seagrill Bistro, Ba Restaurant and Lounge, Blowfish, Flow Kitchen, The Cigar Room, Vuvuzela and ot
expansive pool and beach area with a health club, Willow Stream Spa and the Fairmont Falcons Kids’ Club.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Greets guests and presents them with the menu.

 Informs guests about the special items for the day and menu changes if any.

 Suggest food and beverages to the guest and also try to upsell.
  Take food and beverage orders from the guest on the order taking pads

 Obtaining revenues, issuing receipts, accepting payments, returning the change.

 Performing basic cleaning tasks as needed or directed by supervisor.

 Filling in for absent staff as needed in any of the F&B department within the hotel.

 Punch in the order on the POS machine and make sure to enter the special requirements made by the guest while
etc, Without egg etc.

 Communicate to the guest and provide assistance with their queries.

 Work as a team to get all the job tasks completed in any given time.

 Observes guests and ensure their satisfaction with the food and service.

 Promptly respond to the guest with any additional request.

 Taking guest feedback and encouraging guest to share their feedback on our social media platform e.g. Trip adviso

 Maintaining proper dining experience, delivering items, fulfilling customer needs, offering desserts and drinks, rem
glasses. 

 Properly open and pour wine at the tableside.

 Adhere to grooming and appearance standards consistently.

 Understands and can communicate products and services available at the resort.

 Must have some familiarity with basic cooking knowledge.

 Help other areas of the restaurant such as answering telephones and completing financial transactions.

 Print closing report and drop the cash with the front office / accounts department.

 Tally the Credit Card settlements for the day with the batch closing report from EDC machine.

 Close the shift on the POS terminal.

 Other tasks that are assigned