12 Real Successful Waitress/Waiter Interview Questions & Answers (2024)

Waitress/Waiter Job Description & Person Specification

Although the job of a waitress/waiter does not require any technical abilities, you will need a number of very important attributes and qualities in order to perform the role to the required standard. A restaurant, café, pub or eatery relies on its customers leaving positive reviews on TripAdvisor, Google My Business, Booking.com and TrustPilot.com, and the only way they will achieve this is by providing two important things: great food and great service. There are many eating establishments that offer great food, but the overall experience is let down by poor service. During your waitress/waiter interview, make sure you focus on demonstrating the following competencies and attributes.

• EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE AND CARE – As a waitress/waiter, you have to provide great service. This includes welcoming guests, sitting them down quickly, taking drinks orders, taking food orders and tending to their needs in a fast and efficient manner. Guests or visitors who are left for long periods of time with service will leave negative reviews.
• ATTENTION TO DETAIL – How many times have you ordered food or drinks only for the wrong item to be delivered? A competent waitress/waiter will take the order and repeat it back to the customers, just to confirm exactly what has been ordered.
• NUMERICAL SKILLS – As a waitress/waiter you will need basic addition and subtraction skills. Although you will most probably take payments via card, most people still enjoy paying for items using cash, and therefore basic arithmetic skills are needed within this role.
• A POSITIVE AND HAPPY ATTITUDE – When dealing with guests and visitors, it is very important to be happy, smiley and positive. A positive attitude and approach will contribute positively to guests’ overall experiences at the restaurant, pub or eatery, and it can also significantly increase your tips, too!
• DEALING WITH COMPLAINTS – There will be times when you need to deal with customer complaints. The important thing to remember, is to deal with them quickly, efficiently and in line with your employers’ guidelines.
• FLEXIBILITY – You will need to work unsociable hours as a waitress/waiter, and this can also mean working in the evenings and weekends. You are far more likely to be hired in this role if you can dedicate the required hours and are reliable and trustworthy.

If you would like to drastically increase your chances of passing your waitress/waiter interview, we strongly recommend you download a copy of our Waitress/Waiter Interview Questions and Answers guide!

TIP #1 – Customer service, customer service, customer service! This is THE most important element of the interview. During your interview, make sure you constantly refer to the fact you are able to deliver brilliant service at all times!

TIP #2 – All restaurants, pubs and eateries are looking to hire serving staff who are flexible and can work the hours needed. Think carefully the hours you can definitely commit to, as you will be asked what hours you can work during your waitress/waiter interview.

TIP #3 – Honesty and reliability are two very important qualities needed as part of the role of a waitress/waiter. The interviewer will be looking for evidence of professionalism, honesty, reliability and integrity. Try to think of past experiences where you have already demonstrated these important qualities.

TIP #4 – Personal hygiene and being able to dress smartly are additional qualities that are going to be assessed at the interview. If you cannot look after yourself from a personal hygiene perspective, you cannot perform the role to the required standards. Although you will not be assessed directly by way of an interview question in relation to these attributes, they will be looking to see how well you present yourself visually. Make sure you dress smart for your waitress/waiter interview.

TIP #5 – Be prepared for the possibility of basic arithmetic interview questions. These can sometimes catch people out! For example, could you quickly and accurately answer the following question?

“A guest’s meal comes to £42.78. If they give you £50 cash, how much change will you need to give them?

You will only need very basic arithmetic skills centred on addition and subtraction.

I have an interview tomorrow 🙈

UPDATE: I got the job offer.
THANKS Richard 👍

Thank you so much for this!Honestly this information gave me a sense on how to handle my interview as well as improve my interview skills.

I have an interview I'm so nervous 😭

Update: I GOT THE JOB

Thank you so much! I went today and got the job on the spot!

THANK YOU SO MUCH! VERY INSIGHTFUL ✨

Im on step two ! So many notes already, would have went into this interview the wrong way. God bless u mate and taking the time to help a lad out like mw who is in over his head

Thank you so much..i have an interview later...it helped a lot to boost my confidence.

I have an interview today ill update you on how i do :).

UPDATE: I GOT THE JOB THANK YOU!

The complaint steps literally saved me for my interview earlier, thank you!!:)

This is excellent !!

This is so helpful. Thank you so much for the tips and advice!

I got the job! Thank you!!

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Richard McMunn is a former Fire Officer turned interview coach who has over 20 years experience within the recruitment industry.

He is extremely passionate about helping people pass their interviews, and his success rate is unrivalled within the interview training sector.

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