Tell me about your favorite accomplishment.

"I remember a wedding we hosted that took several days to set up. The expectations were high because our General Manager was attending the event, and we wanted to represent him well. The event went so well that he came into the back hall to acknowledge the team. It was a great feeling to see that our hard work and dedication were recognized."

The interviewer asks this question to determine if you are focused on your accomplishments or those achieved as part of a team. It would be beneficial to describe something you accomplished that is not listed on the resume.

The success of the banquet manager coincides with the success of the group. The banquet manager is responsible for the overall event but doesn't control the planning by the catering department or the timing of the food.

Tell me about a time you were stressed with work and how you handled it.

"One morning, my assistant banquet manager called in sick for her shift. That night, we had several events scheduled throughout the resort, and she was scheduled to oversee the event at the pool. I made adjustments and rearranged staff and another manager to cover two events adjacent to each other. I stayed late to make sure the other events were not affected."

The interviewer wants to get a better feel for how you tolerate stress. As a banquet manager, you are responsible for the entire event, including room setup, event service, and exceeding the client's expectations.

During stressful times, a banquet manager should be confident and think clearly. Provide an example of a banquet event that was stressful and demonstrate the steps you took to make sure that it did not have a negative impact on the event. Examples could include the timing of the food, a missing detail not listed on the banquet prospectus, or managing multiple events at once.

Why do you want to work here?

"I spent some time on your website and looked at your recent banquet reviews to learn more about your company. I was impressed with the number of positive reviews this company has. It doesn't matter if the event is for 40 people or 400; the expectations are high, and your team always delivers. I am interested in joining a company that takes pride in creating memorable events and am confident I would be a great addition to your team."

The interviewer is trying to identify the candidates who are interested in growing with the company and making the company better. They want to weed out candidates who are just looking for a job to pay the bills.

Do your research about the company. Identify the traits that the company looks for in its employees. In your answer, touch on the company's values/ mission statement and how they resonate with you. Mention the reviews you came across online or the plans the company has for the year ahead. If this business is open to the public, experience it for yourself. Incorporate your experience in your answer.

Tell me about yourself.

"My first banquet experience was as a banquet server while I was a full-time college student. I enjoyed working in restaurants and had a little experience working small private dinners, but I had no idea how extensive banquet events can be. I continued to learn about the different meeting setups and service methods and picked up as many shifts as my manager would let me. That following summer, I became an assistant banquet manager and focused on training the new employees in the proper steps of service."

The interviewer wants to know what other skills you bring to the team in addition to what is listed on your resume. They want to hire the most qualified candidate who is also compatible with the existing team and has the skills to improve the banquet operation.

This is a great opportunity to speak about your past, present, and future. When talking about your past, explain some of the mistakes you made as an inexperienced manager, what you learned, and how you plan to improve. Your passion and excitement for this job should shine through your answer to this question.

What are your strengths?

"One of my greatest strengths is my ability to listen and be aware. As the staff is busy setting up an event, I walk the room and pay attention to the body language of the employees and listen to the tones of their voices. If it has been a long week and the staff is sluggish, I'll elevate my energy level to motivate them. I realize that their body language has a direct effect on the event and will do what I can to improve their spirit."

The interviewer wants to identify the skills that make you great at what you do. Ultimately, the interviewer is looking for the skills that the previous banquet manager lacked.

Review the job description to identify the important skills that are required for this role. Choose a couple of your strongest skills and provide examples to show how you excel.

What are you weaknesses?

"Early in my management career, public speaking terrified me, and I found ways to avoid doing it. I soon realized that this was a skill I needed to develop; otherwise, it would diminish my leadership skills. With the guidance of my manager, I started handling training sessions for groups of 5 people, then preshifts for 25 employees. Instead of shying away from those opportunities, I spent more time preparing in advance to overcome that fear."

The interviewer asks this question to determine if you have a growth mindset. They want to know if you are self-aware of the skills you need to work on to be an even more effective banquet manager.

When answering this question, minimize your weaknesses and highlight your strengths. Stay away from personal qualities, and focus on professional traits. For example, you could mention that you are working on your communication skills when handling all of the pre-shift meetings.

What questions do you have for me?

"What are you hoping the next banquet manager will accomplish a year from now?"

The interviewer wants to know if you have done your research about the company and the open position. The way you answer this question provides additional insight into what is important to you.

This is a great opportunity to ask why the position is currently open or what challenges the banquet department might be faced with. It is recommended that you ask questions throughout the interview and not just at the end.

What can you offer us that another candidate can not?

"Even though I've been a banquet manager for a couple of years, I know that I can continue to grow to be a more effective manager. I continue to look for ways to train the staff and improve customer service scores. Currently, our overall banquet experience is at 92% for the year. Even though I celebrate that score with the team, I also work with my managers to improve that score."

The interviewer wants to know what positive impact you can make on their company. They are looking for skills and experience that will benefit the department immediately and in the long term.

Explain why you would be a great addition to the team. Provide examples of recent opportunities you had to improve your skills. Examples should focus on service, costs, revenue, or organization, such as improved procedures for linen inventory or the storage of equipment.

Describe yourself in three words.

"Curious, conscientious, and dependable. May I explain my reasons for choosing those three? Curious because I take the initiative to make sure I understand a standard or process. Conscientious because I want to make sure I understand the expectations and do my best to exceed them. Dependable because you need a banquet manager that will be dependable to ensure all events are staffed and executed properly."

The interviewer wants to determine if you can follow directions (three words) and if you are a good fit for this position. They want to learn something interesting about you that may set you apart from other candidates.

Of the adjectives that describe you, identify three that the company might be looking for in their next banquet manager. The words you choose should be in line with the company's values and complement the team dynamic.

If hired, what would you like to accomplish in the first 90 days?

"During my first 90 days, I expect to gain a good understanding of what the banquet team does well and what can be improved. I would plan to meet with the management team to devise a strategy to improve those areas."

Many companies use the first 90 days as a probationary period for new hires. What occurs during those 90 days may provide insight into what the new hire will do during the next nine months or nine years with the company.

During those first 90 days, the banquet manager should gain a good understanding of the challenges of the banquet operation and identify ways they can be improved. When answering this question, focus on the company's goals rather than your personal goals. You might discuss items such as revenue, staffing challenges, inventory levels, or employee accountability in your answer.

What do you like the least about working as a banquet manager?

"For every social event we handle, I spend time preparing before the event looking over the fine details of the menu and the details of the event to make sure we have enough linen and the proper amount of staff. Then, we spend just a few minutes with the client because he/she is so involved in running the event. Just as that event ends, we are preparing and planning for the next one."

The interviewer is asking this question to get a better understanding of what you don't like about the position. As the banquet manager, there is a lot of responsibility but not a lot of control to ensure all events go well.The way you answer this question provides additional insight into how you work with different personalities and how you deal with the frustrations of the position.

Provide an example of something you find challenging about this job. It could be the amount of time you plan for a large-scale event that only lasts a couple of hours or the lack of opportunity to build a long-term relationship with clients at smaller events.

Why are you interested working for us as a banquet manager?

"When one of my college roommates told me that you were looking for a banquet manager, I couldn't believe it. He's been with the company for two years, and he's always telling me how great his experience has been. At my current job, we handle corporate events. I enjoy managing social events and understand you handle twenty-five weddings a year. I'd love the opportunity to be a part of that."

The interviewer wants to know that you have put some thought into your application. They want to separate the applicants who are just applying to any open position from those who want to grow with the company.

Mention what you know about the company and how it aligns with what you are looking for when applying for banquet manager positions.

Describe a difficult decision you had to make.

"I made a difficult decision that impacted my team. A had a long-term employee who was was not performing up to standard. After several coaching sessions and additional support, he still wasn't performing as well as he should have been. Unfortunately, I decided to let him go."

The interviewer wants to determine how you handle difficult decisions. They want to hire a banquet manager who will handle difficult decisions instead of hoping that the situation will take care of itself.

Provide a recent example that showed how you handled a difficult decision with your employees or clients. When providing examples, describe the situation and explain why it was a difficult decision to make. Be sure to incorporate the result and what you learned from the experience.

Have you ever had a disagreement with your boss?

"Unfortunately, I have. When I took over the banquet department, the previous banquet manager did not hold the staff accountable when it came to the uniform standard. Unfortunately, many servers wore white socks instead of black socks, and it did not project a polished look that our clients came to expect. My boss wanted me to address it immediately and discipline any server that was not adhering to the standard. I devised a plan that involved pricing the cost of socks at the local Walmart and created a countdown for 14 days (because the staff would receive two paychecks during that time). My boss approved the plan, and the staff adhered to the standard."

The interviewer wants to know how you respond to adversity and if you can follow the chain of command. They are looking for a banquet manager that will be supportive of their boss, even when they don't see eye-to-eye.

This is a great time to demonstrate your leadership skills. Provide an example of a time you disagreed with a superior's decision, discussed it with your boss privately, and showed that you were supportive of the decision when implementing it with your team.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

"I'd like to be considered as a banquet manager who improves the employee and guest experience. I enjoy mentoring and developing the next generation of managers, and I think I would have an opportunity to do so here."

The interviewer wants to know if you will be dedicated to this position. This question will also give the interviewer insight into your long-term goals.

Make sure that the interviewer knows that you are happy with this current opportunity and not settling. Demonstrate that you are willing to grow and develop.

What major challenges or opportunities did you face in your last position?

"When I first took over the department, the staff was not consistently using the steps of service for all plated meal events. I re-trained all four assistant managers so they knew the standards and could train the employees and hold them accountable."

The interviewer wants to know if some of your previous challenges are similar to what they are experiencing. Even if the challenges are not the same, the interviewer wants to understand how you analyze opportunities.

Review the job description and choose a situation that relates to this position. If the job description mentions "maintaining banquet and meeting room standards," include examples of steps you took to do this in a previous role.

Tell me about a time you broke the rules as a banquet manager.

"I wouldn't say that I broke the rules, but I enhanced the standard for a detailed event. Our plated dinner standard is to staff one banquet server per 25 people. During a busy weekend, I added additional staff for a detailed event. I had one banquet server for every 15 people because the dinner had wine service and a total of five courses. Even though I utilized more staff on that event, I adjusted other events so that payroll was still in line. All events were serviced properly, and payroll was in line with the budget."

The interviewer wants to know more about your character as a leader. They want to hire someone who will enforce the rules and hold the team accountable.

When answering this question, substitute the word "rules" for standards. Standards are guidelines and can range from staffing levels to equipment requirements or the meeting room setup. Provide an example in which you broke a "rule" to provide better service for an event.

Can you describe a time you made a mistake or didn't deliver expectations?

"Unfortunately the banquet server didn't realize the client was a vegetarian, and they were not served a vegetarian appetizer. We corrected the mistake, and I apologized to the client and catering manager. It was a crucial detail that was not communicated well, but it was corrected and didn't happen again."

This question provides insight into your character because many candidates don't admit to making mistakes. The interviewer wants to know why the mistake was made, what you did to fix it, and what you learned from the experience.

As a banquet manager, sometimes it is easier to talk about failing to achieve expectations. The client may have a different expectation of service times because of what the catering manager thought your team could deliver. Explain how you failed to meet a client's expectations and what you did to correct the problem.

Describe a time you handled an upset client.

"It's important to listen and understand why the client is upset. If I can determine why we failed to meet the client's expectations, it will be easier to correct the problem."

The interviewer wants to know how you handle a difficult guest. They are looking for a leader who will work with an upset client instead of hiding in the office.

Sometimes, a client will be upset because an event did not go according to plan or a crucial detail was overlooked. It is important to recognize why it happened and the steps you took to turn it around. Describe your solution and explain your thought process.

Tell me about a time you showed initiative at work.

"I learned that one of my managers wanted to get into the catering side of the event business so she could do the planning instead of the servicing. I helped her develop those skills by working and communicating with clients and the existing catering managers. She was able to transfer and is excelling in her role."

The interviewer wants to hire a banquet manager who will show initiative and address situations for existing and future events. The banquet business is a revenue-generating department, and they want to hire someone who will take the initiative when need be.

Provide a detailed scenario in which you showed initiative and explain the reasons. When summarizing your results, be sure to describe how it improved the internal or external guest experience.

Describe your leadership style.

"I would describe my leadership style as leading by example. I work through my team and delegate projects to my assistant managers to help them grow but will work with the staff setting up events when faced with a tight deadline."

The interviewer wants to know if you can self-reflect and identify your leadership style. Review the job description and provide examples of how you manage your team that directly relate to the skills listed there.

There are many moving parts that a banquet manager must oversee, and the interviewer wants to hire someone organized and calm under pressure. To manage events, you will be dealing with employees, supporting managers, and clients, so describe your communication skills. Skills such as active listening, eye contact, tone of voice, and non-verbal communication are some skills that a hiring manager would value.

What motivates you to provide a great customer experience?

"I enjoy creating memorable experiences for our guests. Our guests spend a lot of money to have their event with us, and to be able to exceed their expectations by having my team come together is rewarding for me."

The hiring manager wants to know if you are a candidate who will work on improving customer service.

As a banquet manager, you have the opportunity to provide a great customer experience for every event. Be sure to express your enthusiasm when describing the impact you make on a client or newlywed couple. This question is a great way to show how you celebrate those successes with the team that works hard to pull it all together.

How do you prioritize your tasks?

"Even though I spend the majority of my day on the floor overseeing the events of the day, it is important for me to find office time and plan for the next 30, 60, and 90 days. I break those tasks into weeks and then by day. Sometimes, the priorities change based on the event or what my current boss expects, but I adjust accordingly."

A banquet manager's priorities are not always set in stone. The interviewer wants to know if you are flexible when priorities change or set in your ways.

Describe how you prioritize your tasks for the current day, week, and month. One of the key characteristics of a successful banquet manager is planning and prioritizing tasks and adjusting when situations come up.

Describe a time you went above and beyond for a client.

"While speaking with one of my clients, I realized she didn't have time for lunch. During a break in her day, we set her up in a private meeting room to enjoy a quick bite. We did this separately from the meeting space so she was able to enjoy a few minutes to herself."

Going above and beyond for a client is a great way to make a memorable experience. The interviewer wants to know if what you did is reasonable and in line with what your boss would allow.

Provide an example that shows what you do to improve your relationship with every client. Perhaps you learned that your client likes his/her coffee a certain way, and the following morning you had it ready upon arrival.

Tell me about an event that did not go as planned.

"We had an event for 150 people, and the host forgot the seating chart. As confusing as it was, I had two employees at the ballroom doors assisting guests to their seats. The event was delayed by 30 minutes, but the client was appreciative that we adjusted."

The interviewer wants to know how you responded to the circumstance. They want to know the reasons it occurred and the steps you took to prevent it from happening again.

Be sure to take responsibility for the situation and explain what you did to prevent it from happening again. For example, if there was a lack of communication, describe a similar situation in which you improved the communication between departments.

How many full time, part time and on call servers do you have? Do you have experience utilizing temporary staffing agencies?

"I currently have a staff of XXXX FT, XXXX PT, and XXXX on-call banquet servers. I work with three staffing agencies and require a supervisor on-site when we utilize their staff. We hold the staffing agency employees accountable just as we do our own, and at the end of each event, we have a post-shift meeting with each supervisor."

The interviewer wants to understand your banquet experience and make sure the person they hire is not overwhelmed. Being able to manage and staff an event for 1,000 is much different than managing a dinner event for 20.

When answering this question, be sure to include the support staff (convention services/ room setup) and the temp agencies you work with. It can be difficult to hold a third-party agency accountable, highlight a couple of examples that show how many events you oversee during the peak season.

What skills would your previous boss say that you need to improve?

"I think my previous boss would say that I am at work more than I need to be. He appreciates my dedication but wants me to find a better balance. He's helped me with a plan to delegate more to my managers and to have the confidence that they can manage the smaller events. I realize how important it is to find a work-life balance in this industry, and I continue to work at it."

This is another way of asking about your weaknesses. The interviewer wants to hire a banquet manager who has leadership and communication skills and will elevate the department.

Review your previous employee review and focus on one or two examples. When describing a weakness, explain the steps you took to turn that weakness into a strength.

How long before the start of a function should you schedule a server's in time?

"Our standard is 2-2.5 hours before the event start time. However, if the event is detailed or we are faced with staffing challenges, I adjust their time to avoid potential issues."

The interviewer wants to know your critical thinking skills. Larger events will require more setup time to ensure everything is in place, and a smaller event will require less time. Having different start times for different events shows that you are focused on the customer experience but also aware of managing payroll costs.

When answering this question, demonstrate how you analyze small and large events. As a banquet manager, you can justify a longer setup time for large-scale or high-profile events. Provide examples that show how you utilize staff or combine tasks to reduce the payroll expense.

How do you utilize down time for your team?

"I am always looking for ways the staff can prepare for the next event. We spend our downtime cleaning, counting inventory, ordering supplies, and prepping during the quieter time. By doing this, we reduce unnecessary stress."

This company wants to hire a banquet manager who takes downtime to plan and organize for the next event. The way you answer this question gives the interviewer insight into your organization, planning, and time management skills.

Provide examples that show how you plan for future events and maximize the downtime for your staff. This is a great opportunity to show your initiative to ensure that future events are well planned for.

How often is an inspection of your meeting space completed in your department?

"In the beginning, meeting room inspections were done only once per quarter. Now we are on a weekly schedule, and I conduct walkthroughs with my convention services manager, the food and beverage director, and chief engineer. All notes are emailed out and work order tickets are filled out. The following week, we discuss the previous week's list, address any concerns, and repeat the same process."

An effective banquet manager will utilize downtime to maintain the meeting space. A clean,well-maintained meeting space is crucial for site inspections and potential future business.

When answering this question, show that maintaining meeting space is just as important as servicing events. Be sure to include the frequency of these walkthroughs, who attends these inspections, and how the results of those inspections are measured and tracked.

Banquet Manager Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Tell me about your favorite accomplishment.
2. Tell me about a time you were stressed with work and how you handled it.
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. Tell me about yourself.
5. What are your strengths?
6. What are you weaknesses?
7. What questions do you have for me?
8. What can you offer us that another candidate can not?
9. Describe yourself in three words.
10. If hired, what would you like to accomplish in the first 90 days?
11. What do you like the least about working as a banquet manager?
12. Why are you interested working for us as a banquet manager?
13. Describe a difficult decision you had to make.
14. Have you ever had a disagreement with your boss?
15. Where do you see yourself in five years?
16. What major challenges or opportunities did you face in your last position?
17. Tell me about a time you broke the rules as a banquet manager.
18. Can you describe a time you made a mistake or didn't deliver expectations?
19. Describe a time you handled an upset client.
20. Tell me about a time you showed initiative at work.
21. Describe your leadership style.
22. What motivates you to provide a great customer experience?
23. How do you prioritize your tasks?
24. Describe a time you went above and beyond for a client.
25. Tell me about an event that did not go as planned.
26. How many full time, part time and on call servers do you have? Do you have experience utilizing temporary staffing agencies?
27. What skills would your previous boss say that you need to improve?
28. How long before the start of a function should you schedule a server's in time?
29. How do you utilize down time for your team?
30. How often is an inspection of your meeting space completed in your department?

Banquet Manager Interview Questions

1. Tell me about your favorite accomplishment.

2. Tell me about a time you were stressed with work and how you handled it.

3. Why do you want to work here?

4. Tell me about yourself.

5. What are your strengths?

6. What are you weaknesses?

7. What questions do you have for me?

8. What can you offer us that another candidate can not?

9. Describe yourself in three words.

10. If hired, what would you like to accomplish in the first 90 days?

11. What do you like the least about working as a banquet manager?

12. Why are you interested working for us as a banquet manager?

13. Describe a difficult decision you had to make.

14. Have you ever had a disagreement with your boss?

15. Where do you see yourself in five years?

16. What major challenges or opportunities did you face in your last position?

17. Tell me about a time you broke the rules as a banquet manager.

18. Can you describe a time you made a mistake or didn't deliver expectations?

19. Describe a time you handled an upset client.

20. Tell me about a time you showed initiative at work.

21. Describe your leadership style.

22. What motivates you to provide a great customer experience?

23. How do you prioritize your tasks?

24. Describe a time you went above and beyond for a client.

25. Tell me about an event that did not go as planned.

26. How many full time, part time and on call servers do you have? Do you have experience utilizing temporary staffing agencies?

27. What skills would your previous boss say that you need to improve?

28. How long before the start of a function should you schedule a server's in time?

29. How do you utilize down time for your team?

30. How often is an inspection of your meeting space completed in your department?