Interviews are often nerve-wracking for any individual, particularly in hospitality jobs where the applicants can be numerous and varied. Preparing ahead of an interview helps you stay calm, and knowing what the interviewer is looking for can boost your confidence with preparedness.
The first thing interviewers look at is your CV, on which experience and qualifications take precedence, generally in that order. Some interviews start off on the phone, when the human resources (HR) department calls. They can assess your communication skills and interest in working with the company you have applied for. When called in for a face-to-face interview, employers often take notice of smart dressing, confident body language and good eye contact. Hospitality jobs generally require team work, people skills and technical ability – qualities the interviewer will be watching for throughout the interview process.
But above all, in hospitality, they look for attitude and problem-solving abilities. This is one industry where learning to think on your feet can seal the deal between a disgruntled guest who will never return, or a thankful one who will recommend your company to everyone else. Based on your CV, interviewers will ask for details of a particular job or skill you acquired, so knowing what you’ve written is vital. They might also ask what you know about the company and job you’ve applied for to assess your understanding of the requirements and how you feel you might fit in with the company values and ethics. This is where your previous research will come in handy.
It is important to listen carefully to the questions being asked and reply appropriately, politely, and to the point. The interviewer’s time is important so it makes sense to get your answer across as briefly, but equally as informatively, as possible. Practising to answer questions before-hand can help. When speaking, the interviewer will look for confidence in yourself and your abilities, and perhaps a desire to learn – based on the level of job you are applying for.
Many interviewers also ask you to describe yourself. This can be tricky as there is obviously a lot you can say. It’s best to paint to a picture of yourself with the job in mind. They are looking for a human being that they can work with, who will produce results. Brush up on any skills you think are needed for the job you’ve applied for, in case they have an on-the-spot test.
Being positive in your answers can work to your advantage, even if the question might tend to draw your negatives – such as challenges dealt with previously, dealing with unhappy guests, etc. These are asked to see how you solve problems with diplomacy and tact. Avoid blaming someone else for a mistake, and choose examples from your experiences that show how you effectively handled the situation, or even if it failed, what you learned from it.
Many interviews end with a chance for the interviewee to ask any questions they might have. One of the most immediate queries you might have is salary, but this might not be the right time to ask. Often, this is either mentioned in the vacancy advertisement or given to you by the HR department when they offer you the job. Instead, take the chance at the interview to ask about working conditions such as what your typical day might be like, opportunities for expanding your skill base within the company, or the work processes.
Throughout the interview, be true to yourself and honest. When it’s all over, smile and shake hands if it feels appropriate. And hope for the best – you’ll get the job if it was meant for you!