20 Outback Steakhouse Interview Questions and Answers

Outback Steakhouse is a company that is known for its delicious food and great customer service. If you are looking to work for this company, it is important to be prepared for their interview process. In this article, we will give you an inside look at some of the questions that you may be asked during your interview at Outback Steakhouse.

Outback Steakhouse Interview Process

The interview process at Outback Steakhouse is relatively quick and easy. Most applicants report being hired on the spot after a brief interview with a manager. However, some positions (such as hostess) may require additional interviews or testing. Overall, the experience is positive, with most employees finding the staff to be friendly and professional.

1. Why do you want to work for Outback Steakhouse?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and its values. It also helps you connect with the interviewer on a personal level. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight what attracted you to Outback Steakhouse specifically.

Example: “I’ve always been a fan of Outback Steakhouse because of the quality of food and drinks they serve. I love that the restaurant has an Australian theme, which makes for a unique dining experience. I’m excited about working here because I think I can bring my skills and personality to the team.”

2. How would you handle a rude customer?

When working in the service industry, you may encounter a rude customer. Interviewers ask this question to see how you would handle such a situation and if you have any strategies for diffusing the situation. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to calm the customer down and make them feel more welcome.

Example: “I’ve encountered many customers who were upset or angry about something. I always try to listen to their concerns and find out why they are upset. If it’s because of an issue with our food or drink, I apologize and offer to fix the problem. If they’re upset about another aspect of the restaurant, I try to diffuse the situation by being friendly and helpful.”

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews. It allows you to highlight your skills and also show that you are aware of your weaknesses. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about both your strengths and weaknesses.

Example: “I am an excellent communicator who can work well with others. I have experience working as part of a team and helping my colleagues when they need help. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on the task at hand that I forget to take breaks. This has led to me feeling tired or ill before.”

4. Tell me about yourself.

This is a common question that interviewers ask to get to know you better. They want to see if your personality and skills match the job description. When answering this question, be honest about yourself and highlight your strengths.

Example: “I am an outgoing person who loves meeting new people. I have been working in the food industry for five years now and have gained experience in customer service, waitressing and bartending. My favorite part of my job is interacting with customers and making them happy.”

5. What is your availability?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn about your availability and how you plan your schedule. When answering this question, be honest about your availability and explain any challenges that may arise from it.

Example: “I am available Monday through Friday from 10am until 5pm. I have no conflicts with these hours, however, I do need to leave work by 3pm on Wednesdays to pick up my son from school. If there are times when I can’t make it in due to an emergency or other conflict, I will let you know as soon as possible.”

6. What makes you unique?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleague. It’s important that you show the interviewer how you’re different from other candidates and why you’d be an asset to their team.

Example: “I’m unique because I have experience in both front-of-house and back-of-house operations, which makes me a valuable resource for any situation. I can help servers with customer service issues and I know what it takes to keep kitchen staff happy and productive.”

7. Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment?

When you work in a restaurant, it’s important to be able to multitask and perform your duties quickly. Employers ask this question to make sure that you can handle the pace of working in a busy environment. In your answer, explain how you are comfortable with high-pressure situations. Explain what steps you take to stay organized and focused when you’re working under pressure.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. I have worked as a server for five years now, so I’m used to being on my feet all day and handling multiple tasks at once. When I first started working as a server, I was nervous about having to talk to customers and remember their orders. However, over time, I developed strategies to help me manage these tasks.”

8. When was the last time you had to deal with an unhappy customer, and how did you resolve their issue?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. This is because working in the food and beverage industry often involves dealing with customers who are unhappy about their experience. To answer this question, you can describe a specific situation where you had to deal with an upset customer. Explain how you handled the situation and what steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, I once had to deal with an angry customer who was dissatisfied with her meal. She complained that her steak was too tough and she wanted a new one. However, when I looked at her plate, I could see that she hadn’t eaten much of her meal. When I asked her why she wasn’t enjoying her meal, she told me that she didn’t like the taste of the sauce on her steak.

I apologized for her bad experience and offered to give her another steak or a different meal. She chose to have a new steak, which I cooked to her liking. After she ate, she said she enjoyed it more than the first one. I also gave her a discount on her bill as compensation.”

9. If you were hired, when could you start working?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your availability. It’s important that you are honest about when you can start working and how soon you could be ready to work in this position.

Example: “I am available immediately, however, I would need two weeks to prepare myself for my new role.”

10. Can you name some of our signature dishes?

This question is a way for the interviewer to see if you have experience with their menu. You can name some of your favorite dishes and explain why they are your favorites.

Example: “I love the Bloomin’ Onion, which is Outback’s signature appetizer. It has fried onion petals that are breaded in seasoned flour and served with a spicy ranch dipping sauce. I also really enjoy the Aussie Fries, which are steak fries topped with melted cheese, bacon bits, sour cream and chives.”

11. Do you have any experience as a server?

This question is a great way to show your experience as a server. If you have worked in the food and beverage industry, it’s important to mention this on your resume. This can help employers see that you understand what it takes to be successful in the role.

Example: “I’ve been working as a server for five years now. I started out at a small restaurant where I learned how to work with a team of servers. After two years there, I moved up to a larger restaurant where I was able to learn more about customer service. I also had the opportunity to work with some of the best chefs in the area.”

12. Have you ever worked at a restaurant before?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleague. It can help you understand their experience and how they might fit into the company culture.

Example: “I have worked at several restaurants before, but I’ve never worked for Outback Steakhouse. However, I am familiar with the brand and would love to work here because of its reputation as an excellent restaurant.”

13. What does good customer service mean to you?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand what good customer service looks like. It’s also an opportunity for you to share some of your best practices with them and explain why they’re important.

Example: “Good customer service means being attentive, friendly and helpful. I believe it’s important to be genuine in all interactions with customers because this helps build trust and loyalty. When I’m working with customers, I always make sure to greet them warmly and ask how their day is going. I try to listen carefully to their needs and respond thoughtfully to any questions or concerns they have.”

14. How well do you take criticism?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to accept feedback and make improvements. To answer, think of a time you received constructive criticism and how you used it to improve yourself or your work.

Example: “I understand that receiving criticism is part of the job as an employee. I take every piece of feedback seriously and use it to improve my performance. In my last position, I was working on a project with another team member when they gave me some feedback on my presentation style. I took their advice and made changes to my presentation before presenting again.”

15. What’s your favorite part about being a server/waiter?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential co-workers. It’s also an opportunity for you to share what makes you passionate about the job and why you’re excited to work at Outback Steakhouse.

Example: “My favorite part of being a server is getting to know my guests. I love learning about their lives, hearing their stories and making them feel comfortable. I think it’s important to treat every guest like they are family because that’s how we should all treat each other.”

16. Tell me about a time that you went out of your way to help someone else.

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential manager and how they view teamwork. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’re willing to go above and beyond for others.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job, we had a server who was having a hard time with her tables. She was new to the restaurant and didn’t know all of our menu items yet. I volunteered to help her out by taking some of her tables so she could focus on learning the rest of the menu. This helped both of us get through our shifts without any major issues.”

17. Are you available evenings and weekends?

This question is a way for the interviewer to understand your availability. If you are not available evenings and weekends, it’s best to let them know that in advance so they can find someone who is.

Example: “I am available evenings and weekends. I have worked many evening and weekend shifts throughout my career, and I enjoy working with customers during those times.”

18. Describe a time when a coworker didn’t pull their weight on a project. How did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your conflict resolution skills. Use examples from previous work experiences where you had to resolve a conflict with a coworker.

Example: “In my last position, I worked on a team of five people who were all responsible for different aspects of the project. One day, one of my coworkers didn’t show up to work and we were behind schedule. I called her and asked if she could come in later that afternoon. She said yes and came in at 3 p.m., which was an hour after our deadline. We finished the project by 5 p.m.”

19. Do you consider yourself a team player?

This question is a great way to determine how you work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific instances where you have worked well with others and helped achieve a goal or task.

Example: “I consider myself a team player because I enjoy working with others to accomplish goals and tasks. In my last position as a server at a local restaurant, I was part of a large group of servers who all had the same goal of providing excellent service to our customers. We would often help each other out when we needed assistance and always made sure that everyone was doing their job.”

20. How would you describe your personality to us?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleague. It’s important for employers to know how you will fit in with their team, so they can make the best hiring decision. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest and specific.

Example: “I am an outgoing person who loves meeting new people. I’m always willing to help others out, which makes me a great team player. I also have a lot of energy, so I don’t mind working long hours when needed.”