20 Holiday Inn Express Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a position at Holiday Inn Express, you can expect questions about your experience in the hospitality industry, your customer service skills, and your ability to handle difficult situations. The interviewer will also want to know if you’re familiar with the Holiday Inn Express brand and what you think sets it apart from other hotels.

Preparing for your interview by familiarizing yourself with the company and its values will help you give strong, impressive answers to these questions and others. To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers specific to Holiday Inn Express.

Holiday Inn Express Interview Process

The interview process at Holiday Inn Express is generally quick and easy. Most positions only require one or two interviews, and the questions are usually fairly standard. However, some positions (such as Front Desk Agent) may require a more detailed interview process. Overall, the experience is generally positive, with most employees finding the staff to be friendly and helpful.

1. What is your experience with customer service?

Holiday Inn Express is a hotel that offers hospitality services to its guests. The company wants employees who can provide excellent customer service and ensure their customers have an enjoyable stay. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your experience with customer service and how you’ve helped others in the past.

Example: “I worked as a server at a restaurant for five years before moving here. During my time there, I learned how to interact with different types of people and make them feel comfortable. I also developed strong communication skills and became more confident when speaking with others. My previous job prepared me well for this position.”

2. Tell us about a time when you had to deal with an angry or upset customer, what did you do?

Holiday Inn Express is looking for candidates who can handle stressful situations and remain calm. This question helps them determine how you would react to a challenging situation with a customer. Use your answer to show that you have the skills necessary to help customers in any situation.

Example: “I once had a guest who was upset because they didn’t get their wake-up call. I apologized, explained that it wasn’t on purpose and offered to give them a discount on their stay. They were happy with this solution and left the hotel without further incident.”

3. Are you comfortable working on weekends and evenings?

Holiday Inn Express is a hospitality company that offers services to both business and leisure travelers. The interviewer wants to know if you’re comfortable working on weekends and evenings, as these are peak times for the hotel. Your answer should show your willingness to work during these hours.

Example: “I am very comfortable working on weekends and evenings. I enjoy interacting with guests who are traveling for pleasure or business. It’s rewarding to see their experience at our hotel make them feel more relaxed and ready to take on their day or week.”

4. How would you handle a situation where a guest was not satisfied with their room?

Holiday Inn Express is a hospitality company that offers quality service to its guests. The interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills and how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, demonstrate your problem-solving skills by describing how you would try to resolve the issue with the guest and find an alternative solution if needed.

Example: “If a guest was not satisfied with their room, I would first apologize for the inconvenience and then offer them another room or a discount on their stay. If they were still unhappy, I would speak with my manager about finding a more suitable solution.”

5. Provide an example of a time where you tried to upsell a product or service.

Upselling is a common practice in the hospitality industry. It’s important to show that you can sell additional products or services to customers and help increase revenue for your employer.

Example: “I once had a customer who was looking at booking a room with two queen beds, but they wanted to know if we had any rooms available with one king bed instead. I told them that we did have a room with one king bed, however it cost $50 more per night than the other two queen bed room. They decided to go ahead and book the room with the king bed, which helped my company make an extra $250.”

6. Do you have any experience cleaning hotel rooms?

This question is a great way to determine if you have experience with the job duties of a housekeeper. If you do, share your previous experiences and how they relate to this position. If you don’t, explain what cleaning tasks you’ve done in the past and how they’re similar to housekeeping.

Example: “I worked as a housekeeper at a local hotel for three years. I started out doing basic cleaning tasks like vacuuming and dusting, but over time I learned more advanced skills like deep-cleaning carpets and removing stains from upholstery. These skills are important because they help me provide guests with a clean room every day.”

7. Would you be able to lift more than 50 pounds if needed?

Holiday Inn Express is a hotel chain that offers hospitality services for business and leisure travelers. The company needs employees who can lift heavy objects, such as luggage or cleaning supplies, when necessary. Your answer should show the interviewer you are physically capable of performing this task.

Example: “Yes, I have experience lifting more than 50 pounds at work. In my previous job, I was responsible for moving large boxes from storage to the sales floor. I would often move up to 100 pounds in one trip, but I always made sure to use proper form so I didn’t injure myself.”

8. How would you describe your leadership style?

Holiday Inn Express is a hotel chain that offers hospitality services to business and leisure travelers. As such, it’s important for the company to hire managers who can effectively lead their teams. When answering this question, describe your leadership style in relation to how you would manage employees at Holiday Inn Express.

Example: “I believe my leadership style is collaborative. I like to involve my team members in decision-making processes so they feel invested in the outcomes of those decisions. I also think it’s important to be empathetic when leading others because it helps me understand what my team needs from me as a manager. For example, if an employee tells me they’re having trouble with a task, I try to help them find solutions rather than just telling them what to do.”

9. If hired, how would you go about training new employees?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and ability to train others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific training experience you’ve had in the past.

Example: “In my last role as a front desk manager, I was responsible for training new employees on our computer system and how to interact with guests. I found that one of the best ways to do this was by having them shadow me during their first week. This allowed them to see what tasks they would need to perform each day and gave me the opportunity to answer any questions they may have.”

10. Have you ever worked in the hospitality industry before?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your experience in the hospitality industry. If you have previous experience, be sure to highlight what skills and abilities you gained from that job.

Example: “I’ve worked as a server at a local restaurant since I was 18 years old. While my primary role was serving customers, I also learned how to multitask and work with other team members. My time there taught me valuable communication skills and how to manage stress under pressure.”

11. Describe a time that you were faced with a stressful situation and how you handled it.

Holiday Inn Express, like many hospitality companies, wants to know that you can handle stressful situations. This question is a great way for them to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you react under pressure.

Example: “I was working at a restaurant where the kitchen got backed up during dinner rush hour. I had several tables waiting on their food, but we were running low on some of our ingredients. Rather than panic, I calmly explained the situation to my manager and asked if there was anything else I could do to help. He told me he would take care of it, so I went around to each table and apologized for the delay. Then, I offered free dessert to anyone who ordered one.”

12. We want our team members to be able to work independently, but also know when they need help. Do you think you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

Holiday Inn Express wants to know that you can work independently, but also ask for help when needed. This is a great opportunity to show your communication skills and willingness to learn from others.

Example: “I think I would be a good fit for this type of environment because I am very independent and motivated to succeed. However, I understand that there are times where I may need help or guidance. I have always been someone who asks questions if I don’t understand something, so I would definitely reach out to my manager or other team members if I ever had any questions.”

13. What is your approach to handling complaints from customers?

Holiday Inn Express is a hospitality company that offers services to customers. Interviewers ask this question to learn about your customer service skills and how you handle challenging situations. Use examples from previous jobs to describe the steps you take when handling complaints.

Example: “I always make sure to listen carefully to what the customer has to say. I try to understand their concerns and find out if there’s anything we can do to improve their experience. If they have any suggestions, I write them down so I can share them with my manager or other team members. I also offer solutions to help solve the problem. For example, if a guest complains about noise in their room, I would offer to move them to another room.”

14. Why are you looking to leave your current job?

This question can help the interviewer understand your motivations for applying to a new position. It also helps them determine if you’re likely to stay with their company long-term. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest and provide specific reasons why you’re looking for a new job.

Example: “I’m looking for a new opportunity because I feel like my current employer is not giving me enough opportunities to advance in my career. I have been working here for five years now, and while I’ve received several promotions, I still feel like there are more opportunities out there for me. I would love to work at Holiday Inn Express because of its reputation as an excellent place to grow.”

15. Give an example of a time when you found yourself having to deal with many tasks at once. How did you organize them?

Holiday Inn Express is looking for candidates who can multitask and prioritize their tasks. This question allows you to show your ability to manage multiple projects at once, which is a common part of the hospitality industry.

Example: “In my previous role as an assistant manager, I often found myself having to deal with many tasks at once. For example, one day I had to organize a team meeting, answer phone calls from guests and handle any issues that arose in the hotel. To stay organized, I used a calendar app on my phone to schedule meetings and appointments. I also kept notes on each task so I could remember important details.”

16. What do you like most about working in the hospitality industry?

This question helps the interviewer get to know you as a person and how your personality fits with the company culture. Your answer should show that you enjoy working in hospitality, but also highlight any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for this role.

Example: “I love meeting new people and making them feel welcome. I find it rewarding when guests come back to our hotel because they had such a great experience. It’s especially fun when families return year after year because they remember me and my staff. Holiday Inn Express is a family-friendly brand, so I think I would really enjoy working here.”

17. Being a night auditor is a very important position for us. Can you tell me why you think it’s important?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of this position and how it can affect the hotel’s overall success. When answering, make sure to highlight your understanding of what a night auditor does and why it’s important for the company.

Example: “I think being a night auditor is an essential part of ensuring guests have a positive experience at Holiday Inn Express. As a guest myself, I know how much I appreciate when my needs are met by friendly staff members who are willing to go above and beyond to ensure I’m comfortable. Night auditors are responsible for making sure all guests are checked in and settled into their rooms before they leave for the evening. This helps reduce any stress or concerns they may have about their stay.”

18. What does excellent customer service look like to you?

Holiday Inn Express is a hospitality company that offers services to both business and leisure travelers. Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you define excellent customer service. Use examples from previous jobs or personal experiences to explain what great customer service looks like to you.

Example: “Excellent customer service means going above and beyond for the guest. It’s making sure they have everything they need, even if it isn’t something we normally offer. For example, at my last job I had a guest who was looking for a specific type of pillow. We didn’t have any in stock, but I asked around and found one in another hotel. I drove over there and got it for them so they could get a good night’s sleep.”

19. Can you tell us about a time when you struggled in a workplace setting, how did you handle it?

Holiday Inn Express wants to know that you can handle challenges and learn from them. This question is an opportunity for you to show your ability to overcome obstacles, which is a skill that’s important in the hospitality industry.

Example: “I once worked at a hotel where I was responsible for checking guests into their rooms. One day, I had a large group of people who were all checking in at the same time. I got overwhelmed with everyone asking questions and needing help finding their rooms. I took a moment to breathe and then asked if anyone needed anything else before they went to their room. After that, I checked each person into their room one by one so I could give them the attention they needed.”

20. Holiday Inn Express is interested in hiring people who can grow with the company. Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you’re interested in growing with their company. It’s also an opportunity for you to express your career goals and ambitions.

Example: “I would love to be working as a manager at Holiday Inn Express by this time next year. I have been working hard to develop my skills, and I feel like I’m ready to take on more responsibility. I think I’d make a great leader, and I know I can help Holiday Inn Express grow.”