Interview questions and anwsers

Self-description

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

How would you describe your personality (yourself)?.
I am +(adj)
I like helping people.
I enjoy …. And challenging work.
I’m a dedicated worker.
Have you finished your studies?
Yes, I graduated from KOTO school & I hope to find a full-time job now.
Could you tell me something about yourself?

Do you like working alone or in a team?
- I like working in a team, but in some cases (I think) I also enjoy working individually/ alone. This can make you to do the job effectively.
I like to be part of a team. It’s important to know your areas/ your responsibility within the team. Therefore there will be times when I will need to work as an individual.
I like to feel that I am part of a team & that we are working to achieve the same goal. It is good to know your responsibilities as an individual so that you can contribute towards our goal
Educational Experience

Please tell me about your educational experience.
I went to secondary school until I was 14. I then worked to help
support my family. When I was 14, I gained a sponsorship to study
at KOTO. I have studied there for the past 2 years. I graduated in …..
I graduated from KOTO Vocational Training Centre.
Please tell me about your training.
My training included all aspects of the hospitality industry. We studied how to
serve customers & to make drinks/ cooking, life skills, computers and English.
How was your experience there?
It was a very good experience for me. I’ve learnt a lot.
I feel that KOTO not only helped me with my skill, but also helped me with all of my development
- I really enjoyed my time at KOTO. We were encouraged to take responsibility for our action.. We are encouraged to develop as a whole person. I have made life-long friend at KOTO1.
How will your training help you with this position?
It taught me the basics of cooking/ serving customers and making drinks.
It taught me how to solve problems and how to work hard in hospitality industry
(as we have a training restaurant where…..)
At KOTO we had to be part of a team and learn to get on with each other
By working at KOTO restaurant during the 2 years of our training, we were able to put into practice the skills we learnt at the Training Centre. Therefore I believe I have the skills and experience to do this job well.
Previous Job Experience

Can you tell me about your previous job experience, please?
- When I studied at KOTO, I also worked as a trainee server/ kitchen trainee at KOTO Training Restaurant, where I was accustomed to
+serving customers from different countries and making different drinks & cocktails.
+cooking different kinds of food in Western and Asian cuisines.
- I also had 2 month work experience in ……..hotel/ restaurant
How did you like that work place?
I liked KOTO very much. The staff and trainees were very supportive and we all worked together very well.
How do you think your previous job experience will help you with this position?
I have learnt a lot about the hospitality industry and I have developed my job skills.
Special Skills

Do you have any special skills that would help you with this job?
Do you have any other skills that might help you on this job?
FOH: I think I have pretty good communication skills. I’m also well-organized and can handle work pressure
I worked as a team captain. My job was to supervise the tables and orders
K: I can organise the job well. I’m eager to learn and like searching for new recipes
Do you have any computer skills?
I can type a document and can use the Internet. I’m familiar with Microsoft Office. When I was at KOTO, searching information from Websites is one part of the study programme and we also had a short course about computer at UNIS (United Nations International School)
Do you speak any other languages?
What foreign languages have you studied?


Could you describe your ideal job?
What`s your ideal job?
-I’m looking for a full-time job.
I’d like to work in a good working environment/ a challenging job, where I can improve my skills (& get promotion according to my ability)
I prefer to work at a place where I can use my (cooking) skills

The Ideal Job

Describe your Greatest Strengths and Weaknesses – Strong Points – Weak Points
What is your greatest strength/ strong points?

How would you describe your greatest strength?

I think I’m creative/ persistent/ hardworking/ honest and reliable

How would you describe your greatest weakness?
+ I think it is experience, I’m still young, just graduated and would like to learn to gain experience
+ It’s English. I will try to study more when I have free time (evening classes)
+ I’m a bit shy (when speaking in front of the public). I’ll try to be more confident.

Interests and Free Time

- What are some of your personal
interests outside of work?
- What are some of your interests and
hobbies?
- What do you do for fun?
- What are some of the things you
do in your free time?

I really enjoy/like playing…. It helps me relax.
I also enjoy learning English
reading/ listening to music/ football/ playing the guitar


Reasons for Leaving Previous Job

Why did you leave your previous job?
Why are you looking for another job?
Could you tell me why you`ve decided to leave your current job?
Can you be more specific?
- Because I finished study/ graduated.
I wanted to work full-time , but they only wanted part-time workers
The hotel/ restaurant was downsizing because of the economy.
I’d like to work in a more challenging place where I can put my skills into practice and have more opportunity to grow.
It was too far from my home

Handling Pressure
How do you handle pressure?
How do you handle stressful situations?
How do you work under pressure?

I’m pretty good with / I work very well with pressure (When I worked at Koto training Restaurant, it was very busy at lunch time + no tables available/ run out of ingredients … I ask the customers if they can wait for some minutes. Then I try to serve customers quickly and politely (must stay calm))
“The customer is always right. Never get angry”. That is my motto. I try to stay as calm as possible. When I’m with a customer, I like to be respectful and responsible. (speak calmly)
I have had experience with stressful situations. I always try to prepare myself before the stressful situations happen. Then if they happen, I can handle them more easily.

Other Questions

Would you be able to travel?
Would you be able to relocate?
Are you able to work odd hours?
Are you considering any other jobs?
What salary do you expect?
Yes, I enjoy traveling
Yes, I’m flexible / Relocating would be difficult. You see, I have a family to take care.
I prefer to work in the daytime, but I don’t mind doing work in shifts at odd hours.
Yes, I’ve applied to several other positions and I’m considering them as well
I would like to be treated fairly according to my skill level / I would like this position to start at …./ at least …
Why Do You Want This Job?

Why do you want to work for us?
Why should we hire you?
Why do you want this job?
When I saw the job ad…, I became very interested your hotel/restaurant has e very good reputation …
I think I would be a valuable employee because I’m honest, reliable and I have good skills and experience./ because I have experience and motivation I can do this job very well.
I’m a very committed worker. I’d like the challenge of working at a large international hotel.

Do You Have Any Questions?

What is the starting salary?
What are the hours of the job?
May I ask what the specific responsibilities for this position are?
Can you tell me about the history of the company?
What kind of person are you looking for?
Do you offer any kind of educational or training programs for employees?
What is the focus of this company?
Do you have a dress code?
Getting a Job Offer

I`d like to offer you the job. Are you still interested?
Would you like to work for us?