How to Answer "What Is Your Greatest Strength?"

 

We've previously featured how to answer "What is your biggest weakness?" and for our next feature we present how to answer “What is your greatest strength?" Providing a well prepared answer can leave a good, lasting impression on the interviewer. Here are some tips when responding:

#1: It's not about how much, but how well.

When you talk about your strengths, do not start listing everything that you are good at immediately off the top of your head. Think it through carefully and prepare a quality answer. Narrow down your strengths to a maximum of two to three things, then explain to the hiring manager how well you were able to accomplish such tasks and orders. For example, you can share how you demonstrated great time management skills and how detailed-oriented you were as a host/hostess.

#2: Provide evidence or a story.

Make sure you can support your claim. Back up your strengths with numbers or a story about the particular matter to reinforce your candidacy. So to relate back to the prior example, mention how well you were able to handle a high number of calls and reservations with guests, via both the phone and at the restaurant, in a timely and accurate manner.

#3: Tie it in with the company's values.

Prior to your interview, research the company you are interviewing with and look for important things that are valued by the brand. For example, most hospitality businesses deem customer service as a top priority. In that case, you can describe how your friendly and likable personality would be an asset when dealing with patrons and customers.

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Top 3 Pieces of Advice from Restaurant Professionals

 

Veterans in the restaurant world will tell you that working in a restaurant is a tough challenge at first, but your hard work of blood, sweat and tears will pay off in the end. And as the industry continues to grow, there are lots of opportunities out there for you to take advantage of. So go out there and build up that resume!

But to give you a little head start and some advice before you enter the field, here are some valuable pieces of advice from restaurant professionals:

#1: Be open-minded and prepare to take on other roles.

Like any other workplace, there will be lots of different personalities. Be nice to your colleagues/superiors and be willing to accept new ideas. For example, you may be asked to learn and train for another role you didn't initially apply for. It's not what you had intended to do, but it's not all that bad because you will be able to learn additional skills that can be helpful later on in your career.

#2: Every day is a new learning experience.

Not only will you learn something new every day, you will also be given a chance to improve upon yourself. It will be a continuous cycle of learning and improving, but that is how you will develop to be something even greater. For instance, if you aspire to be the head chef of a restaurant, you will start off working as a Prep Chef. As you progress and pick up new things, instead of saying "Yes, Chef", you could be promoted to Line Cook or Sous Chef. Even when you join the ranks of Executive Chef, you will still need to think about how you can better yourself.

#3: "Do what you love and the money will follow."

Don't just dream on making it big with lots of money. Make sure you put in your part first with passion, effort and diligence. After you put in your portion, you can enjoy the monetary benefits. Even if you start with an entry-level role, you can find yourself at the top. It's been known that 80 percent of restaurant owners worked their way up from the bottom to being a boss.

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How to Prepare for an Upscale Restaurant Job Interview

 

Five-star restaurants have higher standards, from food to service, as compared to smaller, chain or family-owned restaurants. Patrons and management at these establishments alike expect nothing short of the best, so interviewing for a job at an upscale restaurant will follow a different set of rules. Here are some tips for you so you can thoroughly prepare in advance:

#1: Review terminology.

Before you head to your interview, make sure you to not only research the restaurant, but also review the usual vocabulary used in a fine dining setting. For example, words that you definitely want to be familiar with include: "à la carte," "al dente," "mis en place," "garde manger," etc. Your hiring manager may or may not use these kinds of terms with you during the interview, but they will be important to know when you work at the restaurant.

#2: Go through the restaurant's menu.

Get to know what the restaurant you applied for offers. You can easily find this out through their website, calling them or requesting a copy to be sent to you via email. Knowing what the dishes the restaurant serves shows that you are set and ready to work there.

#3: Learn about food and wine pairings.

Wining and dining is common practice at upscale restaurants, so your interviewers will surely test you on food and wine pairings. They will typically question you what types of wine go best with particular dishes. If you are looking to be a server, you will need to know this when diners ask for suggestions and recommendations.

#4: Dress appropriately.

The wardrobe will be more formal, so it is recommended to wear a dark-colored business suit or dress. Be mindful of non-essential accessories and jewelry and grooming. Keep your clothing, hair and nails clean and neat.

#5: Don't forget about the basics.

HR managers will still probably ask you the general get-to-know you questions, such as, "Why did you apply for this position," "What is your greatest/weakness," etc. Refresh yourself and find out how to answer the most commonly asked restaurant job interview questions.

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Benefits of Seasonal and Temporary Jobs

 

The holiday season is approaching very quickly, and businesses are in full hiring mode to prepare for the next few months. Therefore, there will be lots of part-time job openings around this time. It might seem like a step backward taking a short-term role, however, there are a quite a number of benefits. Here's why seasonal jobs are actually a good idea:

#1: Earning extra cash

The most obvious benefit is money, as you will be receiving a steady paycheck. You can potentially earn even more from generous tippers during the festive season.

#2: Gaining new experiences

You may learn some new skills from the job, which is always a big plus to your resume. These skills could also be applied to future roles. For example, money handling experience as a cashier can boost your chances when you apply to be a server later on.

#3: Updating your skills

If you have not been working for a while, you can use this time to refresh your skills. Update and improve your existing skill set and capabilities.

#4: Filling in gaps in your resume

Hiring managers typically like to see a consistent employment history, so temporary and seasonal positions help to fill those gaps. Additionally, it shows that you are diligent and is serious about seeking long-term work.

#5: Getting a reference

This is a great opportunity to network and meet more people in the industry. These connections can be great references when you look for work again.

#6: Transitioning into a full-time employee

If you work hard enough and impress your manager, you might receive a full-time offer. Or when the company does have an availability, they might contact you, since you are already familiar with operations. Your employer will be saving money and time because you will not have to be retrained.

So do take full advantage of the holiday labor demand; earn some extra money, skills, experiences and connections for the new year ahead.

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How to Dress for a Restaurant Job Interview

Dressing appropriately for a job interview is one way you can make a good impression. Yet, it can be quite difficult, since the restaurant and hospitality industry is pretty diverse. From fast casual to upscale, the attires vary. Fortunately, the basic rules apply to all.

• Wear clean, wrinkle-free clothes.
• Do not wear jeans or hats.
• Take off distracting jewelry, piercings and accessories.
• Keep it professional and avoid revealing too much skin.
• Trim fingernails and facial hair.

Here are some wardrobe tips for specific roles:

Chefs and Managers

For these roles, you should dress in a suit, or the minimum, a dress shirt and tie; as these positions are the key players in restaurant management. If the restaurant you are applying for is more laid back, business-casual, such as khakis and a button-down shirt, is suitable.

Servers

Servers are the faces of the restaurant floor, so it is important to look tidy and fresh. For formal restaurants, men should wear a suit or dress pants with a shirt, tie and blazer; for women, a pant suit or knee-length skirt is acceptable. For other types of settings, familiarize yourself with the restaurant’s standard uniform and wear clothing that is similar in style.

Cooks and Supporting Roles

The wardrobe for these staff is typically flexible, because, more often than not, they are not seen by patrons. However, it does not mean sneakers or a t-shirt are appropriate. Wear casual dress pants or slacks with a collared top, and a pair of shoes.

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 Looking to work in Hospitality?

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