Are you eyeing a server assistant position in your favorite restaurant? You are in the right place. Server assistants play an essential role in the restaurant and are some of the most crucial restaurant employees. However, landing a server assistant job may not be as easy as it sounds since several restaurants want the best of the best. This article is meant to help you by answering some of the most common questions in server assistant job interviews.
Also, have in mind that you will be a part of the restaurant staff, which means that you should be well-equipped with the restaurant setting. Take a look at the following questions to ace your upcoming interview.
1. Why Are You Interested In This Role?
I love restaurants and can’t miss the opportunity to try a new one. I have also worked in different restaurants before and acquired lots of experience and skills matching your job description. I would love to bring change to this establishment by working as a busser. I can take orders, deliver food to customers, and clear tables effectively. Also, this is one of my favorite restaurants countrywide. You have a fantastic staff, willing to do everything possible to make customers comfortable, which assures me that I am in the right place.
2. What Are The Roles Of A Server Assistant?
Sever assistants play essential roles in a restaurant setting. First, they welcome customers, show them to their seats and offer menus and depending on the restaurant; they can serve complimentary snacks to the patrons after that. Other roles include clearing tables after meals, dirty plates, utensils, or glassware and carrying them to the kitchen. They also wrap utensils in napkins as required before serving meals.
3. What Qualities Do A Server Assistant Need To Be Successful?
A server assistant requires several qualities, given that they interact with different customers. First, they must have strong interpersonal skills to interact with customers and make them feel as welcome and comfortable as possible. They must also be organized since part of their job description involves wrapping utensils in napkins and clearing tables. Other qualities include the ability to adapt to fast-changing environments such as the restaurant industry and the ability to interact with people from different backgrounds.
4. What Major Challenges Did You Face During Your Last Role? How Did You Manage Them?
I worked in one of the best restaurants in the country and therefore had a good time. The managers were friendly and involved in employee welfare, constantly motivating us to be at our best. However, the main challenge was rowdy customers since we were located near a nightclub. I usually tried to calm them down before calling security on them if they didn’t listen. Some also brought their fights into the restaurant, which made the establishment double up security. All in all, I also made great networks.
5. Describe Your Daily Routine As A Server Assistant
I usually report to work early depending on my shift and get to work immediately. My day revolves around welcoming patrons and showing them to their tables; offering menus and wrapping utensils in napkins; serving complimentary snacks depending on the establishment; clearing utensils and glassware from the tables after meals, and replacing any dirty tableware. I also have to mention that my days are often heavily packed.
6. Describe Briefly About Your Experience
I have been working in the restaurant industry for three years now. I began as a waitress, standing by the door and solely tasked with welcoming people to the establishment before moving to server assistance. I have dealt with patrons from several backgrounds, which also taught me the importance of embracing diversity. It is also worth mentioning that I have worked with over seven restaurants and therefore experienced in different processes and procedures. I am positive that my vast experience will help me deliver in this workplace.
7. What Kind Of Strategies And Mindset Is Required For This Role?
The best strategy for any server assistant is to invest in their interpersonal skills and maintain proper organizational skills. Interpersonal skills come in handy when interacting with patrons and making them feel welcomed, which every server assistant must do. These skills are also vital for teamwork, something the restaurant industry dramatically values. Maintaining high organizational skills ensures that everything is on order when serving the customer. The best mindset is to stay positive since server assistants desk with different people, some of who may not be kind.
8. What Is The Biggest Challenge That You Foresee In This Job?
I always see challenges as stepping stones to success and wouldn’t, therefore, refer to complexity as a challenge. All in all, I have gone through the job description, establishment’s values, and culture, which assures me of a great workplace. My main issue is your shifts. I understand that one can’t decide purely on day or night shifts as they oscillate weekly. I am generally occupied during the day since I have classes and prefer night shifts. However, I am sure that we will find a way of working around that for the benefit of everyone in the organization.
9. How Do You Stay Motivated In Your Work?
It can be pretty challenging to stay motivated all the time in this job, given some of the people we meet. However, I love whatever I do because it allows me to put food on the table and meet nice people, even if others aren’t. This love fuels me to give my all, reporting to work a few minutes before my shift and being the last to leave. I am also working on clearing my campus loans and therefore any additional income is welcome. Lastly, I love restaurants. I believe that well-made food is the purest form of affection, which I always want to offer everyone.
10. Describe A Time When You Failed In This Role And The Lesson You Learned?
I wouldn’t term it a failure, but I once mixes orders and had the chef prepare a delicate personalized meal that the patron rejected. It couldn’t be given or sold to anyone given that it had been made on offer, and therefore, I had to pay for it. A generous customer noticed and decided to pay on the condition that we pack it as take-away food. This experience taught me the importance of paying attention when taking orders or conversing with customers.
11. Why Do You Feel You Are The Most Suited For This Role?
I can’t talk to all the other applicants since I haven’t seen their qualifications. However, I have spent over seven years in the restaurant industry and in different positions, which I believe sets me ahead. I can handle different customers, including the rudest and rowdiest ones. I also know how to make every employee feel welcomed and appreciated despite their background. Lastly, I have excellent interpersonal skills, friendly nature, and great conflict resolution skills, which will come in handy.
12. Share With Us Your Greatest Achievement.
My greatest achievement in life, which I will share with you, is of a personal, not professional nature and not professionally related. I managed to sort my younger brother’s upkeep and a few bills for his four years in college, working two jobs a day in different restaurants. I used to report to work early and leave late at both establishments, jumping on every overtime opportunity. I am glad that he never went through the life I did while on campus. His career is picking up well.
13. What Do You Enjoy Most About This Job?
I love being of service to others and positively impacting them which this job allows me to. I believe in humanity and service. My heart melts whenever a patron says thank you, smiles, or positive comments about the quality of service I have extended to them. This job also allows me to meet different people.from.diverse backgrounds. I have managed to learn a lot about different nationalities through casual conversations with patrons. It is worth pointing out that I really enjoy this job.
14. How Will You Handle Workplace Conflict If You Get This Job?
Conflicts are common in the hospitality industry. However, I normally believe that the first step to effectively handling a conflict is to try as much as possible to alleviate tension that may further blow it out of proportion. I am usually the calm and collected party willing to listen to both sides of the story. I am a good conflict resolver, and therefore, only seek a solution that benefits both parties. I also understand that there may be employee-customer conflicts, which I believe should be handled professionally after the situation has been de-escalated.
15. Why Did You Choose The Service Industry?
I believe that my main purpose here on earth is to serve humanity and make as many people as possible happy. I enjoy seeing people have a good time and smiling whole-heartedly. I also find well-made food an expression of love. Therefore, whenever I serve a customer a steaming plate of delicious food, I feel like I am spreading love, which I enjoy. I think I will thrive in this restaurant and use my experience for its betterment.
16. What’s Your Preferred Work Environment?
I have worked in different work environments before. However, I prefer the fast-paced ones since pressure brings the best out of me. This is one of the reasons why I particularly love the restaurant industry since it is highly fast-paced. I love being on my toes, especially while offering service to others; which is also made possible by my multitasking and organizational skills. I will definitely enjoy working here.
17. Can You Mention The Payment Methods You Are Familiar With?
I have been exposed to different payment methods given my experience in this industry. Most patrons normally pay with cash, which is one of the most common payment methods. However, I also know about credit card and debit card payments and can operate a PDQ machine well enough. The restaurant industry also allows people to pay using vouchers. All in all, I am well conversant with all these payment methods and will. properly bill the clients and receive payment.
18. How Would You Handle Customer Complaint?
I understand the importance of customer feedback. On most occasions, the customer is always right since the hospitality industry is customer-centered. I would listen to the customer giving them time. register their dissatisfaction before offering an apology and remedying the situation. On the other hand, if the complaint is unwarranted, I will still listen and offer the best explanation possible without trying to make them feel that they are in the wrong. I may also be forced to involve the managers so that the patron is sorted. All in all, I normally make them feel valued and appreciated.
19. Can You Wait Tables?
I don’t have a problem waiting tables since, despite being in the job description, it is also part of the service. I also consider myself a multitasker. I can dutifully wait tables, ensure that the patrons are comfortable responding to their needs, and even clear them later. I wish to point out that I am okay as long as I serve the customers. Therefore, you can post me by the tables where I will wait for customers, greet them, and even pull chairs. I am positive that I will do a good job.
20. Mention An Experience Where You Showed Excellent Customer Service
I usually ensure that I constantly exude excellent customer service when dealing with customers because I would also expect nothing less if I was in their shoes. I once offered to walk an elderly lady back to her car on a rainy evening since she didn’t have an umbrella. She had stayed on her chair for around thirty minutes after her meal, waiting for the rain to subside but to no avail. The smile on her face was priceless. I knew that I had touched her heart since most patrons hadn’t cared to share their umbrellas with her.
21. Can You Spend Several Hours On Your Feet?
I believe that I can spend several hours on my feet. I work out a lot during the weekends and jog every morning, which keeps me in the right state and frame for longer work durations. I also try to wear comfortable shoes whenever I come to work since I know I will be standing for super long durations. All in all, I have been doing this job for seven years now and therefore understand all the intricacies, dos, and donuts.
22. What Do You Want In A Work Environment?
Even though most people say that the perfect work environment doesn’t exist, I have had the opportunity to work in a near-perfect environment. The best workplace ensures employee motivation by providing all the required facilities, acknowledging their efforts, and making them feel valued. An ideal workplace also maintains open communication channels for offering feedback and opinions. Most of your employees have lots of positive things to say about this restaurant which convinces me that this is the ideal workplace environment.
23. Can You Serve Alcohol?
I can serve anything that the restaurant offers as far as I know. Even though I don’t partake in alcohol, I believe that it is just a product when serving a patron. I am willing and ready to serve them everything found on their menu. I can also serve coffee, soft drinks, main courses, and several other foodstuffs. I don’t have any beliefs barring me from serving some types of food or drinks such as alcohol. A patron cab asks for whatever they want on the menu, and I will serve it.
24. Tell Us About Your Availability.
I am available round the clock since I am not engaged at the moment. I can therefore work any shift and step in for other employees if notified early enough. I can also report to work on weekends and during the holidays if called upon. However, I would prefer to be notified early enough in both of these cases since I may need to make some arrangements or cancel plans. All in all, I will always show up whenever I am available. I love what I do and particularly this work and don’t; therefore, I mind checking in whenever I am free.
25. Have You Ever Dealt With An Angry Customer?
I have dealt with many angry customers before and therefore understand how to go about such situations. The best way of responding to such circumstances is to deescalate the issue by avoiding any type of heated argument with the customer. I usually give them time to rant before offering an apology and looking for the best way to help them, even if it means calling the manager or supervisor. However, if they threaten to be violent or cause chaos in the workplace, I am ready to call security on them.
Conclusion
We have come to the end of our article. These are some of the questions you should expect in your upcoming interview if you intend to secure a chance out of tens or hundreds of applicants. We wish you all the best in your upcoming interview!
