20 Hotel Engine Interview Questions and Answers

Hotel Engine is a hotel booking platform that offers exclusive rates to business travelers. With over 400,000 hotels in their network, Hotel Engine has something for everyone.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Hotel Engine, you can expect to be asked questions about your customer service experience, your knowledge of the hotel industry, and your ability to work independently. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample Hotel Engine interview questions and answers.

Hotel Engine Interview Process

The interview process at Hotel Engine can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, it generally consists of a phone screen with a recruiter, followed by multiple interviews with members of the management team. For some positions, there may also be a case study presentation or technical challenge. The entire process can take anywhere from a few days to a month.

1. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when working with customers?

Hotel employees interact with customers on a regular basis. The interviewer wants to know that you understand the importance of customer service and how it can affect your ability to succeed in this role. Provide an answer that shows you value the opinions and needs of others, even if they are challenging to meet.

Example: “I think the most important thing is to listen to what the customer has to say. I’ve worked with many people who have different expectations than what we offer at our hotel. It’s my job to help them find solutions or workarounds so they can enjoy their stay. If they’re unhappy, then other guests may be too.”

2. Do you have any experience using Salesforce or other CRM tools?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience using similar tools in your current or previous job. If you do, they may ask you to describe how you used it and what benefits it provided for your team. If you don’t have any experience with Salesforce, you can talk about other CRM tools you’ve used and why you prefer them over Salesforce.

Example: “I haven’t had much experience with Salesforce but I have worked with HubSpot before. I find that HubSpot is a great tool for managing leads and tracking important information like contact details, emails and social media accounts. It’s also easy to use and provides valuable insights into our marketing efforts.”

3. Are you comfortable making cold calls?

Cold calling is a sales technique that involves making contact with potential customers without any prior relationship. This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience in this type of selling and how comfortable you are doing it. If you do, explain your previous success with cold calls. If you don’t, let the interviewer know what other methods you use to generate leads for new clients.

Example: “I’ve found that cold calling is an effective way to reach out to new prospects. In my last role as a front desk agent, I used cold calling techniques to find new guests who were looking for hotels within our price range. I was able to make several successful cold calls each day, which led to more reservations than we had ever seen before.”

4. How would you approach a prospect who was not interested in your product?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your sales skills and how you handle rejection. In your answer, try to show that you can remain positive even when a prospect is not interested in what you’re selling. Try to highlight the value of your product or service while also acknowledging why the prospect might be hesitant.

Example: “I would first try to understand their hesitation by asking questions about their current situation and needs. I would then explain my product’s benefits and how it could help them achieve their goals. If they are still hesitant, I would offer to meet with them again after they have had time to think about it.”

5. Tell us about a time where you had to go above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you helped the customer and what their reaction was.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job as a server, one of my customers had an allergy to seafood. They ordered a dish that contained shrimp, but they didn’t realize until after eating most of it. I immediately went into the kitchen and asked the chef if he could make them something else. He said he would have it ready in five minutes. I brought the new meal out to the table right away so they wouldn’t have to wait long.”

6. Hotel Engine is a fast-growing company, are you prepared to work in that kind of environment?

Hotel Engine is a growing company, and they want to hire employees who can adapt to that kind of environment. When answering this question, show the interviewer you are prepared for change and growth in your career.

Example: “I am excited about working at Hotel Engine because I know it’s going to be an exciting place to work. The company has grown so much over the last few years, and I’m ready to help it grow even more. I think my skills will fit well with the company as it continues to expand.”

7. Describe your experience managing accounts.

Hotel engines often have to manage multiple accounts. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience managing multiple accounts and how well you can multitask. Use examples from your previous job that show you are organized, detail-oriented and able to prioritize tasks.

Example: “In my last position as a hotel engine, I managed five different accounts for various departments within the hotel. Each account had its own set of goals and metrics, but I was also responsible for monitoring all other aspects of the hotel’s operations. For example, I monitored guest satisfaction scores, employee performance and overall revenue. I used these metrics to help me make decisions about which areas needed more attention.”

8. Give an example of a time when you were able to successfully upsell a customer.

Upselling is a sales technique that involves offering customers additional products or services to increase their spending. Upselling can be an important part of the hospitality industry, as it allows you to make more money from each customer and improve your hotel’s revenue. When answering this question, try to think of a specific example where you successfully upsold a customer.

Example: “At my previous job, I worked at a restaurant that had a bar area. One night, a group of five people came in for dinner. They ordered drinks and appetizers, but when they were ready to order their entrees, one person asked if we could add another entrée to their table so everyone could have something different. I spoke with the kitchen staff, who agreed to prepare another meal for them. The group ended up ordering two meals per person, which increased our revenue by 20%.”

9. What qualities should a good salesperson have?

Hotel salespeople often need to be persuasive and confident in their abilities. Employers ask this question to see if you have the necessary skills for the job. Before your interview, think about what makes a good salesperson. Try to relate these qualities to the position of hotel salesperson.

Example: “A good salesperson should be friendly and outgoing. They should also be able to communicate well with others. A salesperson needs to understand their audience and know how to speak to them. I feel that these same skills are important for hotel salespeople. We need to be friendly and welcoming when we greet guests. We also need to be able to explain our products and services clearly so people can understand them.”

10. Why do you want to work at Hotel Engine?

Hotel Engine is a unique company that offers many opportunities for growth. Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in working at their hotel engine company. Before your interview, research the company and familiarize yourself with its mission statement and values. Use these as a guide when answering this question.

Example: “I want to work at Hotel Engine because I am passionate about hospitality. I love interacting with people from all over the world and making them feel welcome. Working here would allow me to continue doing what I enjoy while also growing my career. I have heard great things about the company culture, which makes me excited to join.”

11. Can you tell me about a time when you worked on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

Working in a hotel can often involve working with other people, so employers ask this question to make sure you’re able to work well with others. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you can be respectful of others and willing to compromise when needed.

Example: “I once worked on a team project where I was the only one who knew how to use the software we were using. The rest of my teammates wanted me to teach them how to use the program, but I didn’t have time to do that because I had to finish my part of the project. Instead, I showed them how to use the program as best as I could and then helped them if they got stuck. They understood that I couldn’t spend all day teaching them how to use the software.”

12. We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service, what would be your approach to helping members?

Hotel employees often interact with customers, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped members in a positive way.

Example: “I believe that every interaction I have with a guest is an opportunity to make their stay better. If they’re having trouble finding something or need help with anything else, I’m always happy to assist them. In my last role as a concierge, I assisted guests with everything from dinner reservations to transportation arrangements. One time, I helped a family find a lost item, and they were so grateful for my assistance.”

13. What is your experience with troubleshooting software issues?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your technical skills and how you apply them in a hotel setting. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving abilities, attention to detail and ability to communicate with others when working through software issues.

Example: “In my last role as an IT specialist at a large corporation, I worked on several projects that involved troubleshooting software issues. One of the most challenging experiences was when I had to work with multiple departments to solve a software issue that affected multiple areas of the company. I used my communication skills to help everyone understand what I was doing and why it was important to fix the issue. In the end, we were able to resolve the issue and prevent similar problems from occurring in the future.”

14. How would you prioritize tasks if you were given more than one member problem to solve?

Hotel engines often have to solve multiple problems at once. The interviewer wants to know how you would prioritize your tasks and ensure that you complete them in a timely manner. Use examples from previous experience where you had to multitask and explain the steps you took to manage your time effectively.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for managing both front desk operations and housekeeping duties. When given more than one task to complete, I first assess which task is most urgent. In this case, it was usually guest complaints or concerns. After addressing these issues, I then move on to other tasks such as checking in guests and cleaning rooms.”

15. What type of programming languages do you have experience with?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the programming language they use at their hotel. If you don’t, it’s important to show that you’re willing to learn a new language and adapt quickly. You can answer this question by listing the languages you’ve worked with in the past and how comfortable you are using them.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with Java, C++ and Python. I’m also familiar with HTML, CSS and JavaScript, although I haven’t had much opportunity to work with these languages professionally.”

16. How well do you work under pressure?

Hotel engines can be very busy, and you may need to work under pressure at times. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to stay calm when things get hectic. In your answer, explain that you are a fast learner who is able to adapt quickly in high-pressure situations. Explain that you will use your time management skills to prioritize tasks so you can complete them on time.

Example: “I am used to working under pressure because I worked as a server for several years. Servers often have to multitask and perform many different duties at once. When it gets busy, we all have to work together to ensure customers receive their food and drinks in a timely manner. I learned how to manage my time well during those years, which has helped me become more efficient overall.”

17. What do you know about Hotel Engine’s mission?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have researched the company and its goals. Your answer should include a brief overview of what Hotel Engine does, how it helps customers and why you want to work for the company.

Example: “I know that your company’s mission is to provide hoteliers with software that makes their jobs easier. I’ve used Hotel Engine in my last two positions, and I can attest to its usefulness. The platform has helped me streamline many processes within my department, which has led to increased guest satisfaction and revenue.”

18. What does a successful team look like to you?

A team is a group of people who work together to achieve a common goal. A hotel engine requires many different types of employees working together, so this question helps the interviewer understand your perspective on teamwork and how you would fit into their organization. Use examples from your past experience or describe what you think a successful team looks like.

Example: “A successful team is one where everyone feels comfortable asking questions and offering ideas. I believe that every person has something unique to contribute, so it’s important for me to make sure my teammates know they can speak up if they have an idea or want to learn more about a task. In my last role, we had a new employee who was unsure of her duties. She asked a lot of questions, which helped us realize she needed additional training in some areas. We were able to schedule extra training sessions with her and other employees to help her feel more confident.”

19. If hired, what would be your approach to improving the current platform?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the current platform and how you would improve it. You can answer this question by describing what you would change about the system, why you would make those changes and how they would benefit the hotel.

Example: “I would start by analyzing the current system for any flaws or inefficiencies. I would then create a plan for improving the system’s efficiency and functionality. For example, if there are too many steps involved in completing a task, I would find ways to streamline them so employees could complete their tasks more quickly. This would allow them to spend more time interacting with guests and providing excellent customer service.”

20. What is your experience with building web applications?

This question is a great way to see how your experience matches the job description. If you have no experience with web applications, it’s okay to say so and explain what other types of projects you’ve worked on in the past.

Example: “I have extensive experience building web applications for my previous employer. I was responsible for creating an online booking system that allowed customers to book rooms from their mobile devices or computers. The application also had a feature where customers could view reviews from other guests and leave their own feedback about their stay. This helped our hotel maintain its five-star rating.”