The candidate's answer to this question will tell you how much experience they've had and in what type of restaurant, thereby letting you know whether or not they'll be a good fit for your particular establishment. Their level of enthusiasm for the job will also be apparent—if they're unable to tell you a single thing that they enjoyed about their previous work, they're probably not the ideal fit. What to look for in an answer:

• Level of experience
• Any rare or unique skills the candidate might have
• Degree of enthusiasm for the job

The ideal candidate will be bright, personable, energetic and able to maintain a keen awareness of their surroundings. In a busy restaurant, patrons can sometimes be accidentally overlooked, and it's up to the entire team to make sure that they're receiving the service they're paying for. A server who keeps his or her head down, tending to one task at a time, will probably be a weak link in the chain. What to look for in an answer:

• Comfort with a variety of tasks
• Ability to work as part of a successful team
• Willingness to take initiative

Anyone who's worked in a restaurant within the past decade or so should have some familiarity with POS systems. The candidate's answer doesn't have to be specific, and not everyone remembers the names of software, but it should display basic knowledge as well as willingness to adapt to new programs. As a bonus, this may also tell you how long they were able to stick to a particular job. What to look for in an answer:

• Demonstration of basic computer literacy
• Level of experience
• Ability to adapt to the restaurant's current program

Most restaurants require some degree of restaurant experience from a server before putting him or her on the floor, and many candidates achieve this by starting out in entry-level roles. Some have been dishwashers, busboys, hostesses or cooked on the line. This question will reveal a great deal about the candidate's backstory and tell you whether or not they'll be willing to pick up the slack from their coworkers. What to look for in an answer:

• Level of experience
• Willingness and ability to adapt to a busy restaurant environment
• Comfort with a variety of positions

If your restaurant is large, you probably handle service by dividing the dining room into sections and assigning one to each server. Smaller establishments will sometimes allow servers to take every other table as they come in, thereby dividing the take more evenly, which can get confusing during busy shifts. The candidate's answer should reveal their professionalism and level of ability. What to look for in an answer:

• Specifics of past restaurant experience
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Level of awareness (if they've alternated before)