Tips and Questions for a Waiter - Waitress Interview

To be a Waiter or Waitress you need to be able to think fast, and multitask at all times. Most Waiter/Waitresses work in busy environments serving food and drink to customers ensuring that the customer has an enjoyable time.

Waiter interviews are mostly based on typical interview questions and they are not very hard to answer.



There are many reasons for somebody to work as waiter such as:

- Build a career in hospitality or catering
- Waiter work as a second job
- Earn extra money to help living cost or pay debts

Whatever reason you have to work as a waiter then you will have an interview to get the job.

As part of this role you could be required to:

• Clean and prepare tables.


• Meet and greet customers.


• Take Orders.


• Serve meals and drinks.


• Deal with payments.

There are no specific qualifications to do this role but as a must you will need excellent customer service skills (people skills), good communication skills and confidence.  A good standard of Maths and English would also be advantageous.
If you were looking to further your career and do some qualifications relating to the industry you could do an introductory course including:

• Level 1 Award in Introduction to Employment in the Hospitality Industry


• Level 1 Certificate in Food and Beverage Service


• Level 1 Certificate in General Food and Beverage Service Skills


• Level 1 Diploma in Preparing for a Career in the Hospitality Industry

In some restaurants and bars each waiter/waitress is responsible for a section or number of tables and those are the tables that you look after throughout your shift. You would be expected to ensure that overall the customers have an enjoyable experience and will want to come back.

You may be required to give advice on menus choices, what can you recommend that day etc so familiarity of the products is essential.

A great deal of stamina is needed for this role as you will spend a great deal of time on your feet running between tables and ensuring that your section runs like clockwork and that the customer leaves feeling happy.

Interview Questions for Waiter

- Tell me about yourself
- Why should we hire you?
- What is team work for you?
- Can you give some examples of team work?
- What motivates you?
- How you deal with a difficult customer?
- Can you work in a team?

When you have an interview there are very useful tips for you to follow:

- Be there 15 minutes before
- Wear something smart
- Always smile and don’t interrupt the interviewer.