Food Server Interview Questions

The purpose of this question is to gain an understanding about how the applicant views your restaurant brand. A good candidate doesn’t have to be a regular customer, but they should have a positive or neutral outlook on your business. If you sense otherwise, they may not be the right choice. What to look for in an answer:

• An interest in your food or brand
• A desire to succeed
• A positive response no matter the reason

Since food servers are often paid minimum wage and below, it is important that your candidate understands your pay schedule. Inform them if you mandate tip sharing. The interview process is the time to see if they are a mutual fit for your establishment. If the applicant is uncomfortable with the pay, they could become disgruntled in the future. Look for someone who is comfortable with your current structure. What to look for in an answer:

• Level of comfort that gratuity is much of their pay
• Willingness to ask for clarity if needed
• An understanding that gratuity will push them to excel

Every food server, no matter how talented, will face disgruntled customers from time to time. Asking this question tests their interpersonal skills. You need to know how the applicant will handle criticism from customers at your restaurant. Because customers rely on social media and online reviews to choose restaurants, one unhappy customer can potentially turn away new clients. The ideal food server should be courteous in the face of criticism. What to look for in an answer:

• A sense of humility
• A desire and ability to address the problem
• A willingness to take the initiative and solve problems

Your applicant may have never served tables before, but they have dined out and have experienced both poor and excellent service. Having the applicant describe their view of poor service will give you a hint into what they consider good service. You can expect that your candidate will not engage in these same negative behaviors. Otherwise, they would be admitting that they were providing less service than they would expect. What to look for in an answer:

• Common complaints in food service
• Attitudes of food servers
• An understanding that mistakes happen

This is a question of integrity. How will the applicant perform under unfair conditions? A good food server will treat all customers equally, regardless of how they tip. The answer to this question may also give insights into how the applicant would treat people with disabilities or other social stigmas and peculiarities. The server may rely on tips, but they are also your employee and should treat everyone with respect. What to look for in an answer:

• Acknowledgement that it is not preferred but it is their work
• Willingness to serve everyone with eagerness
• Understanding that all customers should be treated equally

Food servers often work as a team to handle lunch and dinner rushes. Food servers should not only care about providing excellent service to their tables, but to all the customers in the restaurant. They should have a team-oriented mindset while also upholding their own responsibilities. This question shows how candidates prioritize their workflow and how they work with others. A good response will include:

• Problem-solving abilities
• Commitment to customer service
• Understanding and compassion

Here is one example of a good answer: