Top 40 Waiter/Waitress Interview Questions & How To Answer Them

To secure a position as a Waiter/Waitress candidates need to prepare for common Waiter job interview questions and answers and articulate their skills and experiences effectively.

In this guide, we’ll look at the top interview questions for Waitress and Waiter positions categorized into skills and experience, customer service and situational/behavioral questions with explanations and examples for employers and candidates.

Popular Interview Questions for Waiter/Waitress

Below you'll find some of the most common Waiter/Waitress questions that get asked in most interviews.

Types of Waiter/Waitress Interview Questions

• Skills and experience Waiter/Waitress questions: These questions are vital as they help assess a Waiter/Waitress candidate's skills and experience, crucial for determining their suitability for the role.
• Customer service Waiter/Waitress questions: These questions are essential as they reveal how well the candidate can cater to customers' needs, ensuring a positive dining experience.
• Behavioral and situational Waiter/Waitress questions: Using these questions and the hypothetical scenarios present, you can assess how a Waiter/Waitress candidate would handle various situations on the job, providing valuable insight into their problem-solving abilities and suitability for the role.

How to interact with guests

Here's a really useful video showcasing very important customer service skills. It goes through important aspects of being a Waiter or a Waitress, such as welcoming guests and how to address them, how to take their orders and even how and when to make wine suggestions.

What Are the Top Waiter/Waitress Interview Questions and Answers?

How To Prepare for a Waiter/Waitress Interview

Prepare for your next Waiter/Waitress job interview by focusing on key aspects like customer service, restaurant operations, and time management, both as a job candidate and a hiring manager. As a candidate:

• Familiarize yourself with the restaurant's menu, ambiance and overall atmosphere to demonstrate genuine interest and enthusiasm during the interview.
• Practice answering frequently asked interview questions to excel in your Waiter/Waitress job interview and confidently showcase your customer service and multitasking skills.
• Showcase any previous experience in the hospitality industry, emphasizing roles that involved customer interaction, multitasking and teamwork.
• Be prepared to discuss different types of cuisine, wine pairings and any relevant food safety regulations or certifications you may have.
• Highlight interpersonal skills such as communication, empathy and adaptability, which are crucial for providing excellent customer service in a restaurant setting.

Don't forget, a well-crafted follow-up email after your waitress interview can make a big difference in the hiring decision.

As an interviewer:

• Prepare a set of structured interview questions tailored to assess candidates' suitability for the Waiter/Waitress role. Include questions about their previous experience in the hospitality industry, their approach to customer service, how they handle challenging situations and their ability to work effectively in a team.
• Assess candidates based on their responses, focusing on critical areas like communication, problem-solving, and their ability to handle high-pressure situations in a busy restaurant environment.
• Consider conducting role-playing exercises or situational assessments to further evaluate candidates' capabilities in handling real-life scenarios encountered in the restaurant environment.
• Take notes during the interview to compare candidates' responses and make informed hiring decisions based on their qualifications and fit for the position.
• Provide candidates with an opportunity to ask questions about the role and the restaurant, allowing you to gauge their level of interest and enthusiasm for the position.

Advice From an Industry Expert

What advice would you give to young people aspiring to become hospitality professionals?

"If your're interested in the hospitality field, you should get any job in the industry to see if it’s right for you. I would recommend to research the company you are interested in working for since it’s all about the passion. Getting experience is key as well, and don’t forget to ask questions."

Donna LeSoine, Suites Supervisor

Waiter/Waitress Industry Trends in 2024

Several trends have been shaping the Waiter/Waitress industry in 2024:

1. Culinary Knowledge

As diners seek unique dining experiences, Waiters and Waitresses are expanding their knowledge of diverse cuisines, specialty dishes and presentation techniques. This allows them to provide enhanced guidance and recommendations to customers, elevating the overall dining experience.

2. Health-Conscious Service

With a growing focus on wellness, Waiters and Waitresses are accommodating guests' dietary preferences and restrictions. They provide detailed information on nutritional content, offer options like plant-based or gluten-free dishes and ensure a seamless dining experience for health-conscious patrons.

3. Personalized Hospitality

Nowadays, personalized service is key to customer satisfaction. Waiters and Waitresses are honing their interpersonal skills to offer tailored recommendations, anticipate guest needs and create memorable dining experiences that foster loyalty and positive reviews.

4. Technology Integration

The integration of technology is reshaping the restaurant industry, and Waiters and Waitresses are at the forefront of this transformation. They use mobile ordering systems, handheld devices for tableside service and reservation management software to enhance efficiency and improve the guest experience.

5. Inclusivity and Diversity

As restaurants strive to create inclusive environments, Waiters and Waitresses play a crucial role in fostering diversity and cultural sensitivity. They undergo training to ensure all guests feel welcome and valued, regardless of background or identity, contributing to a more inclusive dining experience for everyone.

Are Waiters and Waitresses Paid Well?

The average base Waiter/Waitress salary in the U.S. is $36,530, according to BLS.

In addition to base pay, Waiters and Waitresses often rely on tips to supplement their income. Tips can vary widely based on factors like the type of establishment, location, quality of service and even the time of day.

In upscale restaurants or those located in affluent areas, Waiters and Waitresses may earn more in tips due to higher-priced menu items and a clientele more accustomed to tipping generously. Conversely, in more casual dining settings or areas with lower average incomes, tips might be lower.

Additionally, tipping customs can vary by region. In some areas, tipping generously is considered customary, while in others, tipping may be less prevalent or expected to be lower. 

Written by Sasha Vidakovic

Content Specialist

Sasha is a seasoned content specialist holding a master’s degree in English and Russian. During the week, Sasha excels in crafting impactful content for OysterLink. Come the weekend, she trades the keyboard for hiking boots, exploring scenic trails. Beyond this, Sasha nurtures a deep passion for travel, enriching both personal and professional horizons.

Reviewed by Stefan Petrov

Editor and SEO Content Writer

With over 10 years of experience as a writer and editor, Stefan has worked in the automotive, IT, health and hospitality industries. Familiar with Google Search Console and other SEO tools like Ahrefs and Semrush, Stefan uses his experience to create content that's visually appealing to the user but also ranks in the SERPs.