Being in restaurant management for over 25 years, I have done thousands of interviews. While interviewing a potential employee many questions should and must be asked. Many of the questions have nothing to do with the position the applicant is applying.

At age 15, I got my first job working in an ice cream parlor and grew with the company. Within three years, I was promoted into management from within. The reason for an interview is to find out if you are qualified to work in the position you are applying, so of course many of the questions will revolve around the knowledge and experience you have and why you feel qualified to work for the restaurant you are seeking to work.

A few of those questions and acceptable answers are as follows:

Q. How long have you worked in the restaurant or food business?

Be honest, if you have no experience let the interviewer know. Many managers want at least two years experience, yet just as many others would prefer you have little to no experience. The reason for hiring experienced people speaks for itself. However, many managers prefer to hire someone who has little to no experience. This enables the manager to train a new employee the way he or she wants them to work. Many people with experience have picked up bad habits and feel they know everything. Having an employee who is eager to learn and do things the way a manager wants to mold the employee is at times the better choice, however it is all in how a person manages his or her employees.

Q. Do you enjoy working with the public?

This question is always asked. In the restaurant business there may be times it is so busy a person who is working in the kitchen may be asked to help seat people, or serve water or set up tables. This is more common in the smaller restaurants that do not belong to a chain. Yet, even when working for a chain restaurant someone who works in the kitchen may eventually become a server or bus person. Knowing ahead of time if the person the manager is interviewing is able to work with the public could be a deciding factor in the final decision making to whether or not he or she will hire you.

Q. How many hours a week do you expect to work, full or part time?
Q. Are you flexible? Meaning, are you able to work morning, afternoon, and evening shifts?
Q. Do you have your own transportation?
Q. How much do you expect to make an hour?

These are all questions help the manager know what you are able or want to put into

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