How to Answer: Tell me about the last restaurant you worked in. What was the overall vibe?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Restaurant Manager job interview.
25. Tell me about the last restaurant you worked in. What was the overall vibe?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear that you have a healthy level of respect for your most recent employer and that you can speak positively about the experience, no matter what.
Perhaps you can talk about a few of your favorite customers, how well you got along with your teammates, and discuss what aspects of the restaurant's environment you enjoyed. Be open to talking about working hours, uniforms, your manager, the owners, benefits, and whatever else you truly enjoyed. The key is to keep your answer positive!
Written by Rachelle Enns
Entry Level
"My most recent employer was a well-known restaurant chain. The great thing about working for a chain or franchise is that the systems and policies are already put in place for you. It made my first management gig quite straightforward. That's not to say there weren't challenges, as there are with any job. In this role, the biggest learning opportunities came to me in the form of customer service and employee retention."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"The most recent restaurant I worked in was a bar and grill with a Mexican theme. The vibe was fun. The customers would come in for our giant beergarita's and stay for the amazing tacos and enchiladas. Our staff were all very young so sometimes it was a challenge to have everyone show up for their shift on time; however, it was a great learning experience for me when it came to hiring and corrective action."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced
"The last restaurant that I worked at was a fine dining restaurant with 18 tables. We had an award-winning menu and a staff of 40 people. My responsibilities included staff scheduling, budget management, hiring, and training staff. It was a great team to work with."
Written by Rachelle Enns