20 Hillstone Restaurant Group Interview Questions and Answers

If you’re interviewing for a job at Hillstone Restaurant Group, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the hospitality industry, your customer service skills, and your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. You may also be asked questions about your knowledge of the Hillstone Restaurant Group’s menu and wine list, as well as your ability to make recommendations to guests. To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions you may be asked, along with tips on how to answer them.

Hillstone Restaurant Group Interview Process

The interview process at Hillstone Restaurant Group can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For server positions, you can expect to have multiple interviews, including one with a corporate representative. The interviews are generally fairly easy, and focus on getting to know you as a person and your work history. For other positions, such as bartenders or hostesses, you may only have one or two interviews. Overall, the interview process is relatively quick and straightforward.

1. How would you describe your customer service style?

Customer service is a vital part of the restaurant industry, and Hillstone Restaurant Group wants to make sure you have the right skills for their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe your customer service style in relation to how you would interact with customers at one of their restaurants.

Example: “I believe that excellent customer service starts with making eye contact and smiling when interacting with guests. I also think it’s important to listen carefully to what they’re saying so I can address any concerns or questions they may have. Finally, I always try my best to exceed expectations by going above and beyond for each guest.”

2. Are you comfortable working indoors and outdoors?

Hillstone Restaurant Group locations are often located in busy downtown areas, so employees may be required to work outdoors. Interviewers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with the outdoor environment and have experience working outside. If you don’t have any experience working outdoors, consider volunteering for a community service project that requires you to work outdoors.

Example: “I’ve worked at Hillstone’s Houston location for five years now, so I’m very familiar with the outdoor conditions of the city. In fact, I enjoy being able to take breaks from the kitchen by going outside to get some fresh air. I also find it helpful to talk to customers while they wait for their food because it gives me an opportunity to practice my communication skills.”

3. How do you handle a difficult or unruly customer?

Hillstone Restaurant Group is looking for candidates who can handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism. In your answer, demonstrate that you have the interpersonal skills to diffuse a tense situation and keep customers happy.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset about their meal because they thought it wasn’t seasoned enough. I explained that we season our food in-house and that if they would like more seasoning, I could bring them some from the kitchen. They were satisfied with this solution and left us a good tip.”

4. Why do you want to work at Hillstone Restaurant Group?

This question is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the position and company. It also gives you an opportunity to highlight any research you’ve done on Hillstone Restaurant Group, including its mission statement, values or recent news articles.

Example: “I want to work at Hillstone Restaurant Group because I love the idea of being part of a family-friendly restaurant group that’s committed to giving back to the community. I read in the local newspaper about how you donated $10,000 to the children’s hospital last month, which really impressed me.”

5. What is the most important part of being a server or bartender?

This question is a great way to show your understanding of the role and how you can be an asset to the company. When answering, it’s important to highlight the skills that are most relevant to the position.

Example: “The most important part of being a server or bartender is providing excellent customer service. I understand that this job is all about making sure our guests have a wonderful experience. To do this, I make sure to greet them with a smile, learn their names and remember any special requests they may have. I also pay attention to what they’re ordering so I can provide recommendations when appropriate.”

6. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an angry customer. How did you handle it?

Hillstone Restaurant Group wants to know that you can handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism. This question is your chance to show them how you would react in a similar situation at their restaurant.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t like the food. I listened to what they were saying, apologized for their experience and offered to make it right by offering them another meal on us or a gift card. They chose the gift card and left happy.”

7. Have you ever worked in a team environment before?

Teamwork is an important skill to have in the restaurant industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working with others and that you know how to be a good team member. In your answer, explain what it means to work as part of a team. Share an example of when you’ve worked well with others in the past.

Example: “I’ve always enjoyed working in teams because I find it’s more fun than working alone. At my last job, I was on a team of three people who were all responsible for different parts of the meal service. We had to communicate often so we could ensure our customers received their meals quickly and efficiently. It was challenging at times, but I learned a lot from the experience.”

8. Do you have any experience using a POS system?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using a specific system they use at Hillstone Restaurant Group. If you do, share your experience and explain how it helped you in your previous job. If you don’t have any experience with the POS system used by Hillstone Restaurant Group, you can talk about other systems you’ve worked with or discuss what you would expect from a POS system.

Example: “I have used several different POS systems throughout my career, including Clover, Revel Systems and Square. I find that each system has its own unique benefits, but I prefer Clover because of its ability to integrate with multiple devices and provide real-time data for managers.”

9. Do you have reliable transportation?

Hillstone Restaurant Group is a collection of upscale restaurants in major cities across the country. As such, they often require their employees to have reliable transportation to get to and from work each day. Employers ask this question to make sure you can fulfill this requirement if hired. In your answer, let them know that you do have access to reliable transportation. Explain that you are committed to getting to work on time every day.

Example: “Yes, I do have my own reliable transportation. I drive a car that gets me where I need to go reliably. I am also committed to arriving at work on time every single day. I understand how important it is for me to be there when scheduled.”

10. Describe your previous restaurant experience.

Interviewers ask this question to learn about your previous experience and how it relates to the position you’re applying for. Use your answer to highlight any skills or experiences that are relevant to the job description.

Example: “I have five years of experience in the restaurant industry, including three years as a server at an upscale steakhouse. I learned many valuable skills during my time there, including customer service, communication and teamwork. I also gained experience working with large groups of customers and managing multiple tables at once.”

11. If hired, what would be your approach to dealing with a large group of customers?

This question is an opportunity to show your customer service skills and ability to work in a team environment. Your answer should include how you would approach the situation, what steps you would take and any additional information that may be helpful for the interviewer to know about your experience.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with large groups of customers at my current job as a server at The Melting Pot. I always make sure to greet each member of the group individually and introduce myself so they feel welcome. I also try to learn more about their dining preferences or allergies before they arrive so I can provide them with the best possible service.”

12. What would you say are your strongest qualifications for this position?

This question is a great opportunity to highlight your relevant experience and skills. When answering this question, be sure to include information about the specific duties you performed in previous roles that are similar to those of the open position.

Example: “I believe my strongest qualifications for this position are my customer service skills and my ability to work well with others. In my last role as a server at a high-end restaurant, I was responsible for ensuring every guest had an excellent dining experience. To do so, I made it a point to learn each table’s preferences and ensure they were satisfied throughout their entire visit. Additionally, I always worked well with my team members to ensure we all met our goals.”

13. In your opinion, what makes a good team member?

This question can help interviewers understand your teamwork skills and how you view the role of a team member. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss what makes a good teammate in general and how that relates to the job you’re interviewing for.

Example: “A good team member is someone who is willing to work hard and put in extra effort when needed. A good team member also has excellent communication skills and is able to collaborate with others on projects or tasks. I believe these are important qualities to have as part of any team.”

14. When was the last time you went above and beyond for a customer?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you’re willing to go the extra mile for customers. It’s also an opportunity to talk about how you can benefit their company and help it grow.

Example: “When I worked at my previous restaurant, we had a customer who came in every week with his family. He was always very nice, but he would often complain about small things like our service or food quality. One day, I noticed him looking around the restaurant while waiting for his table. I went over to see if there was anything I could do for him. When I asked him what he needed, he told me that he was looking for his waiter from last week. I apologized and explained that I was new. He said that he just wanted to make sure that he got the same level of service as before.”

15. Would you say that you prefer working independently or as part of a team?

Hillstone Restaurant Group is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. Your answer to this question should show the interviewer that you are willing to work with others, even if you prefer working independently.

Example: “I would say I’m more of an independent worker, but I understand the importance of teamwork in order to get things done efficiently. In my last position, I was able to balance both approaches by delegating tasks to other team members when needed. This allowed me to focus on larger projects while still being involved in the day-to-day operations.”

16. A big part of our business comes from catering events. Do you think you would be able to handle high volumes of customers?

Catering is a big part of Hillstone Restaurant Group’s business, so the interviewer wants to make sure you have experience working in high-volume environments. If you don’t have catering experience, talk about your ability to work under pressure and handle large groups of customers.

Example: “I’ve worked at several upscale restaurants where we had to cater events for hundreds of people. I’m used to being on my feet all day and making sure everyone has what they need. I think that skill would be very useful here.”

17. We want all of our servers and bartenders to be knowledgeable about our food and drink menus. What type of research would you do to prepare yourself for this role?

This question is an opportunity to show your interest in the company and its offerings. You can use this as a chance to discuss any research you’ve already done on Hillstone Restaurant Group, or you can talk about how you would go about researching the menu if you haven’t looked into it yet.

Example: “I’m familiar with Hillstone Restaurant Group’s menus because I have dined at one of your locations before. However, I would definitely do some additional research to refresh my memory and learn more about what new dishes and drinks you may have added since then.”

18. Can you tell me about a time when you were working on a project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

Hillstone Restaurant Group wants to know that you can work with others and resolve conflict. This is a great opportunity for you to show your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills.

Example: “I was working on a project at my previous job where we were trying to come up with new ideas for our menu. I had one idea that the chef didn’t like because it would take more time to prepare. Instead of getting upset, I asked him why he didn’t like it and if there was anything I could do to make it better. He told me that he liked another idea better but wasn’t sure how to combine them both. We talked about it for a while until we came up with an idea that everyone loved.”

19. What is your availability like over the next couple months?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re available for the job. They want someone who can start right away, so they may not be interested in hiring someone who is going on vacation or has a lot of other commitments. Make sure you check their website and social media accounts to see if they have any openings that are open immediately. If there aren’t any immediate openings, you should still apply as you could get hired later when one opens up.

Example: “I’m currently free from June through August, but I am willing to work evenings and weekends if needed. I would love to join your team and help out with whatever needs to be done.”

20. Give us an example of a time where you received positive feedback from a customer.

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and how you can use them to improve customer service. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the specific actions you took that led to positive feedback from customers.

Example: “At my previous job as a server at a high-end steakhouse, I was responsible for taking orders from large groups of customers. One night, I had a group of 10 people who were celebrating their friend’s birthday. The entire table ordered different meals, so I needed to take multiple orders at once. After serving everyone, I noticed one person hadn’t received their meal yet. I apologized and offered to bring out another meal right away. They declined, but I brought it out anyway with a small gift card for the inconvenience.”