Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 8:49AMAsk Interview Questions that Impress
A question from a hopeful restaurant management candidate concerning how to make an impression during her interview prompted me to consider effective questions she could ask in order to make just such an impact.
Your clothes are pressed. You look the part. Your resume is well organized, highlighting your experience and skills. There's one more part of the successful job search process to handle. You want the hiring manager to remember you by leaving a positively memorable impression upon him or her.
How is this accomplished? Asking questions (the right questions), is certainly one way to convey your interest in the position and the company. Asking great restaurant manager interview questions puts you in an active role during the interview.
To make sure your next restaurant management interview leaves the hiring manager both interested and intrigued by the prospect of bringing you on board, try these 10 questions, or variations of them when it comes time for your questions:
1. "What type of professional career growth and opportunities for advancement does your concept offer? "
This indicates you have a long range view of your career path and are looking at this move as a lasting one.
2. "How do you see me contributing to the company?"
Knowing why you were selected for the interview gives you the opportunity to expand on those strengths, experience and qualities that caught their attention, enabling you to further make the case for your hire.
3. "What would my first objectives be if I'm hired?"
This will give you an idea of what to expect when you walk into the restaurant that first day after training. It will also put you on notice as to what will be expected of you, allowing you to further emphasize those attributes during the interview.
4. "Is continuing professional training stressed in this company?"
This shows your willingness to learn new skills and adapt to the new challenges that inevitably arise in the restaurant industry. Adaptability is important in our industry and could be key to retaining your job in a reorganization.
5. "Why did you choose this concept?"
Hearing why a current employee opted to work for the restaurant concept can give you some insight into some of the strengths and opportunities the organization has to offer.
6. "What is the company's culture?"
This will reveal those "intangibles" of a company that have nothing to do with professional experience or required education. If you are most comfortable in a white linen, upscale service atmosphere, you may to consider whether a concept that encourages the servers to line dance is appropriate for you.
7. "Who will evaluate me if I'm hired?"
With this question you can discern the corporate and departmental structure under which you will be working. For instance, will you report directly to the district manager or will there be other managers between you?
8. "What are the job responsibilities?"
Hiring managers usually cover the general areas of responsibility for a position. It's always good to confirm what the actual duties will be. You don't want to start your new job as a bar manager and find out you're responsible for the weekly fryer maintenance.
9. "When will a hiring decision be made on the successful candidate?"
Knowing this will help you determine the timing of your interview follow-up activities (thank you letter, scheduling any further interviews or assessment testing).
10. "May I contact you if I have more questions?"
Wrap up the interview with this question and you keep the door open for any further communication needed, giving you another opportunity to make your case.
Brian Bruce, author of multiple articles published on many websites and several industry trade publications, has been cited in multiple news stories as an authority in Executive Restaurant Recruiting. He's an Executive Restaurant Recruiter with Premier Solutions in Oklahoma City and Blogger. He can be reached at 877-948-4001, by email at HeadHunterBrian@gmail.com , or on his blog at HeadHunterBrian.com .
Reader Comments (5)
Great questions!
On hearing them, most hiring managers would be thinking 'this one sounds very high-maintenance', but if that's their attitude, you wouldn't want to work there anyway!
Ken
In my last interview I asked the comittee why I should choose their company over another if I were offered a position. Made everyone think and I could tell they were impressed by the question as soon as I asked. (Raised eyebrows and head nods all around the table). I've been there almost two years now.
Excellent article. Both comments already noted, give great insight. Ken, is correct depending upon who you are applying to. There isn't one job out there that is the same so different pitches are usually required for different jobs. The second comment was great as well. Wonderful well written article.
Thank you again,
PT
As an applicant, I urge you to ask questions - be ready with four or five, in case they get answered in the course of the actual interview. I recently interviewed a VERY qualified candidate for an open position. When I asked her what questions she had for me, she responded with "none." I feel that if you can sit in front of me for ONLY 60 minutes, there is NO way to have answered all the questions you may have. In addition - it shows lack of preperation on the part of the applicant. GREAT list of questions here Brian. Thanks
Great questions!!!
Worth using them to brush-up interview skills. I will apply some of them on my next interview. Thank You for sharing them Brian!