Porter Interview Questions

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As a porter, can you describe for me your methods for transferring personal bags, packages or trunks from client rooms to loading areas or vehicles? See answer
Do you think it is helpful as a porter to be able to supply guests or clients with additional information regarding their accommodations, travels and the surrounding areas? See answer
Some of our guests may have physical impairments or otherwise need special care and attention. How would you choose to address some of these issues? See answer
From your previous job as a porter, tell us about some of your own tips you might have to escort guests around an area or to arrange additional services. See answer
It’s possible that you’ll run into some guests who are unhappy and react badly or treat you poorly. How would you maintain your professional nature as our porter? See answer
Did you ever have an experience that tested your ethics in your career as a porter? Can you describe the experience for us? See answer
As our porter, would you be willing to work on night shifts or weekends?
In your opinion, why is it crucial to maintain cleanliness in lobbies, entrance areas and other places where guests congregate?
In your opinion, how important is it for a porter to be physically fit?
Do you have a strategy to simplify the process of receiving luggage and attaching claim checks to it?
What do you find most satisfying about working as a porter?
Can you describe a typical day at your workplace? What are your primary responsibilities?
In your previous position, did you ever receive a strange request from a guest? What was it, and how did you handle the situation?

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6 Porter Interview Questions and Answers

Q:

As a porter, can you describe for me your methods for transferring personal bags, packages or trunks from client rooms to loading areas or vehicles?

A:

Many porters receive special training in how to load, unload and handle customer baggage with care. Different methods may work better than others depending on the type of luggage in question. Your company might have specific preferences that it wants its porters to follow as well. You can use this question to gauge the general knowledge level and experience of the potential hire.

What to look for in an answer:

Precise methods for handling luggage
Different, effective methods depending on luggage type
Ability to adapt to new methods or scenarios

Example:

“I’ve received standard training in baggage handling as part of my job. I can maximize my loading efficiency based on the type of luggage handled.”

Q:

Do you think it is helpful as a porter to be able to supply guests or clients with additional information regarding their accommodations, travels and the surrounding areas?

A:

This question helps you understand the mindset of the porter you might hire. It can give you a glimpse into how they view the work philosophy of the industry and whether they are a good fit for your company. Look for positive answers that make the hire seem willing to offer additional help whenever necessary. See what methods they might use for this.

What to look for in an answer:

Answers that indicate they want to be helpful
Specific examples of how extra help improves the company
Positive, courteous attitude

Example:

“Yes, I think it is important to make sure clients feel we care for them. It makes their experiences memorable and encourages repeat business.”

Q:

Some of our guests may have physical impairments or otherwise need special care and attention. How would you choose to address some of these issues?

A:

Porters are in the hospitality business, and some of your clients may have extra needs or require more assistance than others. It is important that you hire porters that are both willing to provide this help and understand how to do so. Use this question to gauge the potential hire’s familiarity with people who need extra help and how they might react to them.

What to look for in an answer:

Positive attitude toward all types of clients
Training in helping those with special needs
Specific examples of how they’ll help

Example:

“I’m familiar with many clients that need special attention. I’ve also received training that allows me to assist them in the ways they prefer.”

Q:

From your previous job as a porter, tell us about some of your own tips you might have to escort guests around an area or to arrange additional services.

A:

Porters with some experience might have their own ways of doing things. While your company probably has some regulations as to how porters are supposed to attend to their professional duties, you may wish to know more about these methods. A prospective porter might be able to increase the efficiency with which they do the job and save the company time and costs.

What to look for in an answer:

Experiences the porter can give you
Methods that cut down on wasted time
Ability to care for multiple clients quickly

Example:

“I’ve developed my own strategies to show clients around the area in unique ways. I also use several resources to provide them more services.”

Q:

It’s possible that you’ll run into some guests who are unhappy and react badly or treat you poorly. How would you maintain your professional nature as our porter?

A:

Porters are required to deal with clients in all kinds of moods and to maintain their professionalism while doing so. It can be difficult to do this, and you need to know that any porter you hire has the necessary skills to maintain a calm, reasonable approach when dealing with irate clients. This question will help you gauge their suitability in this area.

What to look for in an answer:

Specific tips for reducing anger or stress on the job
Willingness to listen calmly
Ability to offer clients helpful responses

Example:

“I try to understand why a particular client is frustrated with the service they’re receiving. I know it isn’t personal, and I offer support and accommodate them in any way I can.”

Q:

Did you ever have an experience that tested your ethics in your career as a porter? Can you describe the experience for us?

A:

Among their various duties, porters have to interact with guests, keep track of their luggage and frequently handle issues related to lost or misplaced items. This question allows employers to get an idea about the candidates' ethical stance and sense of responsibility towards guests. A hardworking, conscientious porter will be exact in handling and transporting the customers' luggage.

The candidate's answer should emphasize:

Ethical stance
Sense of responsibility
Willingness to help

A sample response would be something like this:

Example:

"When I was working at the Frankon Hotel in San Francisco, I assisted a guest couple in moving their luggage from their room to the waiting taxi. In their rush, they forgot a jewelry case in their room closet. They phoned from the airport, and the hotel manager sent me there with it. The couple offered me a large tip for the task, but accepting tips is against our hotel policy, and I refused."

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