Read this free guide below with common Restaurant General Manager interview questions
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Bring multiple copies of your resume, list of references, and any other relevant documents. This shows you are prepared and respect the interviewer's time.
The interviewer wants to know your career motivation and goals. Be honest and highlight relevant experiences that help understand why you enjoy working in the restaurant industry.
As a restaurant general manager, your primary role is to ensure your guests have a great experience. Talk about how you understand customer service and how you implement it in your work.
Restaurant staff can have challenging days, and conflict is inevitable. As a general manager, it's your job to resolve conflicts amicably. Come up with scenarios where you've resolved staff conflicts in the past and talk about what you learned from them.
The interviewer wants to know how you manage staff and how you delegate responsibilities. Explain your approach and how it fits best for your team.
A motivated team is necessary to achieve business goals. Explain how you motivate your staff and what strategies you use to enhance productivity.
Employee turnover can affect business operations. Explain how you manage staff turnover while maintaining team morale and achieving your goals.
Inventory management is essential for any restaurant operation. Discuss your experience with inventory management and how you ensure stock levels are adequate.
A successful restaurant general manager should be able to manage costs while maintaining revenue. Explain how you manage expenses, profits, and cost control.
Unhappy customers can leave negative reviews, impacting business reputation. Explain how you handle customer complaints and how you keep your guests happy.
Efficient scheduling and payroll management are necessary for any restaurant operation. Discuss your experience managing schedules and employee payroll.
The interviewer wants to know how you handle a possible health department violation. Explain what you would do to resolve the issue and how you ensure it doesn't happen again.
Staff members make mistakes, and as a restaurant general manager, it's your job to correct them. Come up with examples of how you handled a staff member's mistake and what you learned from the experience.
Menu planning and changes are essential to keep the restaurant fresh and exciting. Discuss your experience with menu changes and how you collaborate with the chef in developing new dishes.
The restaurant industry is continually evolving, and it's essential to keep up with new trends, competition, and best practices. Explain how you keep yourself informed and implement what you learn.
Marketing and promotions are essential to drive traffic to the restaurant. Discuss your experience with marketing strategies and promotions.
Alcohol service and management are vital for any restaurant operation. Discuss your experience with alcohol service training, inventory, and management.
The interviewer wants to know how you handle difficult decisions. Come up with a scenario where you had to make a tough decision and discuss your thought process.
Restaurant operations can always be improved. Come up with an example of how you improved restaurant operations and how it impacted the restaurant positively.
Underperforming staff members can affect team morale and business operations. Explain how you handle underperforming staff and what strategies you use to address the issue.
The interviewer wants to understand your long-term career goals in the restaurant industry. Discuss your aspirations and what steps you're taking to achieve your goals.
It's essential to prepare well for a restaurant general manager interview. By understanding these top 20 interview questions and answers, you'll increase your chances of impressing the interviewer and landing the job.
Preparing for an interview can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re aiming for the top position in a restaurant – the General Manager. This position requires a strong knowledge of not only how to manage a restaurant but also the ability to lead a team, maintain financial stability, and deliver impeccable customer service. Here are some tips for how to prepare for a Restaurant General Manager interview:
The first thing you should do before any interview is research the company you are applying to. Look at their website, read any news articles or press releases that mention the restaurant, and try to get an overall feel for their brand. Be sure to also review the menu and the restaurant’s online reviews to get a sense of their offerings and customer satisfaction.
Many people find it helpful to practice answering common interview questions with a friend, family member or support worker. Think about what you would say if asked about your leadership style, experience managing a team, handling customer complaints, or how you would handle a financial crisis. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you’ll feel during the actual interview.
Having a strong understanding of the restaurant industry is important when interviewing for the General Manager position. Be knowledgeable about industry trends, challenges, and common operational procedures. Being able to speak intelligently about these topics during the interview will demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and the challenges you may be expected to face in the job.
Be prepared to talk about any notable achievements from your previous roles. Highlight any experience you have managing large teams, increasing sales numbers, or improving customer satisfaction. Make sure your accomplishments align with the goals of the potential new employer.
When interviewing for a General Manager position at a restaurant, you should dress professionally. Avoid wearing anything too casual or anything revealing. You want to look polished, put-together, and ready to take on the challenges of the role.
Restaurants want General Managers who are positive, energetic, and excited about the job. Make sure to display enthusiasm during the interview. Smile, be engaged, and show that you are interested in the role and the success of the restaurant. This positivity will be contagious and show the interviewer that you are the right fit for the job.
In conclusion, preparing for a Restaurant General Manager interview takes time and effort, but it can help you land your dream job. Do your research, practice interviewing, know the industry, highlight achievements, dress appropriately, and be positive and enthusiastic. Good luck!
Non-verbal cues can say a lot about your interest and attitude. Display positive body language such as sitting up straight, nodding when appropriate, and keeping your arms uncrossed.
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