Top Hostess Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Hostess interview by going through these most asked Hostess interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Search Hostess Questions:


  • Question: How old are you?
  • Question Overview: This question is used to determine if the candidate is legally able to work in the country.

    Sample Answer: I am 18 years old.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Legal working age

  • Question: What is hospitality to you?
  • Question Overview: This question will give you insight into the candidate's definition of hospitality and how they would apply it to their job. You want to see if they have a clear understanding of the concept and how it applies to the position.

    Sample Answer: Hospitality is the act of providing service with a smile and making sure that your guests are comfortable and happy.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Understanding of the concept
    • - Ability to apply it to the position

  • Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Question Overview: This question will allow you to see how the candidate views their own strengths and weaknesses. You will also be able to see if the candidate is willing to admit their weaknesses and how they plan to improve upon them.

    Sample Answer: My strengths are my ability to multitask and my ability to work well under pressure. My weaknesses are that I can be a bit of a perfectionist and I have a hard time delegating tasks.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Self-awareness
    • - Ability to admit mistakes
    • - Willingness to improve

  • Question: What are your shortcomings?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the candidate handles criticism and how they view their own abilities. You want to see if they are able to admit their shortcomings and explain how they plan to improve upon them.

    Sample Answer: I sometimes have a hard time remembering names of people I meet. I am working on improving this by using a memory technique that my grandmother taught me.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to admit shortcomings
    • - Ability to explain how they plan to improve
    • - Ability to take criticism

  • Question: How will you contribute to this work environment?
  • Question Overview: This question will allow you to see how the candidate views their role in the restaurant. You want someone who is willing to go above and beyond to create a positive experience for customers.

    Sample Answer: I will contribute to this work environment by creating a positive experience for guests. I will greet them with a smile and make sure they have everything they need.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to work as a team player
    • - Willingness to take on extra responsibilities
    • - Desire to create a positive experience for customers

  • Question: What would you do if a customer called up and placed an order?
  • Question Overview: This question will show you how the candidate handles a situation that requires them to think on their feet. You will want to see if they can quickly assess the situation and determine the best course of action. For example, if a customer calls up and asks for a large order of fries, the hostess should ask if they would like to have it delivered or if they would like to pick it up.

    Sample Answer: I would ask if they would like to pick up the order or have it delivered.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to think on their feet
    • - Ability to assess a situation
    • - Willingness to go the extra mile

  • Question: When are you available?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see if the candidate has a flexible schedule. You will want to hire someone who is willing to work a variety of shifts and hours.

    Sample Answer: I am available to work any shift, day or night.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Flexibility
    • - Availability

  • Question: How do you handle pressure?
  • Question Overview: This question will help you determine how the candidate handles stress and pressure. You want to see how they handle themselves in a stressful situation.

    Sample Answer: I take a deep breath and try to remain calm. I then assess the situation and take action.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm under pressure
    • - Ability to think quickly on their feet
    • - Ability to prioritize tasks

  • Question: When do you want to start?
  • Question Overview: This question is used to determine the candidate's eagerness to start working for you. You want someone who is willing to start as soon as possible, but you also want to make sure they are not so eager that they are not taking the time to make an informed decision.

    Sample Answer: I would like to start as soon as possible.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Timeliness
    • - Willingness to start immediately

  • Question: What would you do if you forgot to ring in an order and the customer had been waiting a long time?
  • Question Overview: This question will determine how the candidate handles a mistake. You want to see if the candidate is willing to admit their mistake and take responsibility for it. You also want to see if they are willing to go above and beyond to make sure the customer is satisfied.

    Sample Answer: I would apologize to the customer and ask if they would be willing to wait a few minutes while I prepared their order.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to admit mistakes
    • - Willingness to go above and beyond
    • - Problem solving skills

  • Question: What are you looking for in this position?
  • Question Overview: This question will help you to determine whether the candidate is looking for a job or a career. You will want someone who is looking for a long-term position and who is willing to work hard to achieve their goals.

    Sample Answer: I'm looking for a long-term position where I can learn and grow as a hostess.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Commitment to the job
    • - Desire to learn
    • - Desire to achieve

  • Question: What are your hobbies?
  • Question Overview: This question will help you determine if the candidate has any interests that may interfere with their ability to perform their job. You want to make sure that the candidate is able to dedicate enough time to the position.

    Sample Answer: I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, as well as reading and cooking.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to work a flexible schedule
    • - Commitment to the job

  • Question: How will you calculate 15% of 200?
  • Question Overview: This question will test the candidate's math skills. You will want to see if they are able to use basic math skills in order to calculate the tip.

    Sample Answer: I would multiply 15 by 200 and then divide that number by 100.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Basic math skills
    • - Ability to calculate a tip quickly

  • Question: How do you see yourself contributing to this company?
  • Question Overview: This question will allow you to see how the candidate views their role in the company. You want to see if they are a team player and if they have a positive attitude about the company.

    Sample Answer: I would like to contribute to the success of the restaurant by making sure that all guests have a great experience.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Team player
    • - Positive attitude
    • - Ability to contribute to the company

  • Question: What can you do to help this company grow?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the candidate thinks about the company as a whole. You want to see if they have a plan for how they can help the company grow.

    Sample Answer: I would work on getting more customers to come in by advertising specials to different groups of people. I would also make sure that the hostesses are always friendly and welcoming.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to think outside of the box
    • - Creativity
    • - Willingness to take initiative

  • Question: What is your greatest achievement?
  • Question Overview: This question will help you determine if the candidate is able to take initiative and follow through on projects. You want to see if the candidate has a history of achieving goals and if they are able to take on new challenges.

    Sample Answer: My greatest achievement was when I was able to help my team win the annual sales competition. I was able to create a plan that allowed us to win by a large margin.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Initiative
    • - Ability to follow through
    • - Ability to set and achieve goals

  • Question: What’s the most important thing to remember when working as a hooters girl?
  • Question Overview: This question will help you determine the candidate's ability to work in a fast-paced environment. You want to see that the candidate can stay calm and focused in a high-pressure situation.

    Sample Answer: The most important thing to remember when working as a hooters girl is to always be friendly and outgoing.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to stay calm under pressure
    • - Ability to multitask
    • - Ability to prioritize

  • Question: What makes you different from other applicants?
  • Question Overview: This is a great question to ask to see how the candidate approaches the hiring process. You want someone who is confident in their abilities and can demonstrate that they are a good fit for the job.

    Sample Answer: I am a hard worker with a positive attitude and I am always willing to go the extra mile.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to sell themselves
    • - Confidence in their abilities

  • Question: How would you handle a drunk customer?
  • Question Overview: This question will allow you to see how the candidate handles a situation that is out of their control. You want to see how they handle the situation with tact and professionalism.

    Sample Answer: I would politely ask the customer if they would like to speak with a manager. If they refused, I would ask them to leave the restaurant.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm
    • - Ability to think on their feet
    • - Ability to remain professional

  • Question: If you could be any musician, living or dead, who would it be?
  • Question Overview: This question will allow you to see how the candidate's personality aligns with the restaurant's brand. You want to hire someone who is passionate about their work and who will be able to bring that passion to the restaurant.

    Sample Answer: I would be a musician because I love music and I love entertaining people. I would want to be a musician because it would be a great way to express myself and entertain others.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for the restaurant industry
    • - Passion for music
    • - Ability to relate to others