20 Premier Inn Interview Questions and Answers

When you go for a Premier Inn interview, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in customer service and the hospitality industry. You may also be asked questions about your ability to handle difficult situations, as well as your knowledge of the Premier Inn brand. Here are some sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Premier Inn Interview Process

The interview process at Premier Inn is generally pretty relaxed and informal. You will likely be asked about your experience and availability, and may be given a tour of the hotel. In some cases, you may be asked to do a trial shift. Overall, the process is relatively quick and easy.

1. Why do you want to work at Premier Inn?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your personality and how you feel about their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of the Premier Inn brand that appeal to you.

Example: “I want to work at Premier Inn because I love the idea of providing affordable accommodation to travelers. It’s important to me that people are able to visit new places without having to spend too much money on accommodations. I also really enjoy working in customer service, so I think I would do well as a front desk agent.”

2. What is your availability like? Are there any days or hours that you are not available?

This question is a way for the interviewer to understand your availability and determine if you are available during peak times. It’s important to be honest about your availability, but also highlight any flexibility that you have.

Example: “I am currently only available on weekends, however I can work some evenings and weekdays as well. My schedule is flexible, so I would be happy to work extra hours when needed.”

3. Do you have experience working in a team environment? Provide an example of a time when you worked with a colleague on a project.

Teamwork is an important skill to have in the hospitality industry. Employers ask this question to see if you are a good team player and how you work with others. When answering, think of a time when you worked well with someone else on a project or task. Try to focus on your communication skills and teamwork abilities.

Example: “I’ve always been a strong communicator, so I enjoy working in a team environment. In my last job as a front desk agent, I worked with a colleague who was new to the position. We decided to trade shifts one day a week so that we could both learn more about our roles. By doing this, we were able to help each other out and provide excellent customer service.”

4. If a customer came up to the front desk asking where they can find a specific book, what would you do?

This question is designed to test your customer service skills. It’s important that you can help customers find what they’re looking for, as well as provide them with other information about the hotel and local area.

Example: “I would first ask if I could search online for the book in question. If it wasn’t available, I would then ask the customer where they were staying so I could look up the closest library or bookstore. If neither of those options are available, I would offer to order the book from a third-party seller and have it delivered to their room.”

5. Describe a situation where you had to deal with poor customer service from a coworker, how did you approach it?

Premier Inn is a customer-focused company, so it’s important to show that you can handle difficult situations with customers. This question allows the interviewer to assess your problem-solving skills and how you react to challenging situations.

Example: “I once had a coworker who was rude to our guests. I approached him privately and asked if he could be more polite to our guests. He apologized and promised to do better. After this conversation, he became much friendlier toward our guests.”

6. Did any of your past employers ever file complaints against you?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your past work history and how you’ve handled any issues that may have arisen. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any complaints or disciplinary actions taken against you and what steps you took to resolve them.

Example: “In my last position as a front desk manager at a hotel, I had an employee who was consistently late to work. After speaking with him multiple times, he still wasn’t able to arrive on time. As a result, we decided to terminate his employment. Since then, I’ve learned to always address these types of situations immediately so they don’t escalate.”

7. How well do you handle criticism?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to accept feedback and learn from it. Use examples of how you’ve used criticism to improve yourself or your work in the past.

Example: “I understand that receiving constructive criticism is a part of my job, so I take all feedback seriously. In my last position as a front desk clerk at a hotel, I received some negative reviews from guests who were unhappy with their stay. Rather than ignore these reviews, I took them seriously and looked for ways to improve our service. For example, I noticed that many guests complained about long wait times when they called the front desk for assistance. After looking into the issue further, I realized we needed more staff on hand during peak hours. By addressing each complaint, I was able to make improvements to our services.”

8. Tell us about a time when you made a mistake and how you handled it.

This question is a great way to learn more about how you handle challenges and mistakes. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but also show that you learned from the experience.

Example: “When I first started working as a front desk agent at a hotel, I was so excited to start my new job. One day, a guest came up to me with a complaint about their room. They said they had ants in their bathroom. I apologized profusely and assured them we would move them to another room immediately. After checking all of the rooms on our floor, I realized there were no other rooms available. Instead of moving them to another floor, I gave them a discount for their stay.”

9. There will be times when we need extra help for certain events, how flexible are you with your schedule?

Premier Inn is a company that values flexibility and adaptability. They want to know if you can work with them in case they need extra help for events or other occasions.

Example: “I am very flexible when it comes to my schedule, I understand that sometimes we have to work overtime or on the weekends. However, I always make sure to communicate with my manager so they are aware of any changes to my schedule. I also try to be as efficient as possible during my shifts so I don’t need to stay late.”

10. We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service. Can you give me an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. It’s important to remember that Premier Inn is all about customer service, so it’s likely they want to know how you would fit into their culture.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a guest who was staying with us for an extended period of time. He was having some issues with his room and asked if he could move rooms. We were completely booked, but I offered to upgrade him to our best suite free of charge. He was very happy with this solution, and I felt good knowing that I went above and beyond for one of our guests.”

11. Tell me about a time where you were given a task that was not clearly outlined by your manager.

This question is a great way to see how you handle ambiguity and uncertainty. It’s important for employees in hospitality to be able to adapt quickly, so it’s helpful if your answer shows that you can do this.

Example: “When I was working as a server at a restaurant, my manager asked me to take over the bar while he took care of some other business. He didn’t give me any specific instructions on what drinks to make or how to run the bar, but I knew that I had to figure out something to keep customers happy. I looked through the bartender’s notes and found a few popular cocktails that were easy to make. I also talked with the bartender about her process and learned a few things from her.”

12. Our guests’ satisfaction is our top priority. Do you feel comfortable going above and beyond for our customers?

This question is an opportunity to show your commitment to customer service. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time you went above and beyond for a guest.

Example: “I feel very strongly about providing excellent customer service. In my last role as a front desk agent at a luxury hotel, I had a guest who was celebrating their anniversary. They were looking for something special, so I offered them complimentary champagne in the room and upgraded them to our penthouse suite. The couple was thrilled with the surprise and left us a five-star review.”

13. Have you ever dealt with difficult or upset customers? How did you handle the situation?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know how you react when a guest is upset or angry and whether you can resolve the situation quickly. In your answer, try to show that you have good conflict resolution skills and are able to diffuse tense situations.

Example: “I once had an upset customer who was looking for his lost wallet. He became very agitated when I told him we couldn’t help him find it because we don’t keep wallets in our safe. However, I did offer to call the police if he wanted us to report the missing wallet. After some consideration, he decided to call the police himself.”

14. The role requires detailed cleaning, do you think you could manage those expectations?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have the ability to complete tasks that require a lot of attention to detail. To answer, think about how you’ve handled similar responsibilities in the past and explain why you’re qualified for the role.

Example: “I’m very organized and I like to keep my work area clean. In my last position as a housekeeper at a hotel, I was responsible for cleaning 20 rooms per day. I found it easy to stay on top of all the details because I developed a system where I would do one task after another until everything was done. This helped me get through each day with ease.”

15. Housekeeping is a physically demanding job. Are you prepared to lift things such as linens and luggage throughout the day?

This question is designed to assess your physical fitness and stamina. It’s important for housekeepers to be able to lift heavy objects, so it’s best to show that you’re prepared for this task.

Example: “I am in excellent shape and have no problem lifting heavy items. I’m used to working long hours on my feet, so I know how to pace myself throughout the day. I also understand the importance of safety procedures, so I will always follow company guidelines when handling luggage or other heavy objects.”

16. Tell me about a time when you struggled to get along with one of your coworkers. How did you handle it?

Premier Inn is a team-oriented company, so it’s important that you can work well with others. This question helps the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you’re willing to compromise.

Example: “I once worked with someone who was very critical of my work. I tried to be patient at first, but after several weeks of hearing her complaints, I started to feel like she didn’t appreciate all the work I put into my projects. So, I scheduled a meeting with her to discuss her concerns. She apologized for being overly critical and promised to do better in the future.”

17. How often do you check your email?

This question is designed to assess your time management skills. Premier Inn employees need to be able to manage their time effectively, so the interviewer wants to know that you can do this.

Example: “I check my email at least once a day, usually in the morning and again in the afternoon. I find that checking it twice a day helps me stay on top of things and ensures that I don’t miss any important emails. If something comes up during the day, I’ll respond to it right away or add it to my to-do list for later.”

18. General Motors is a company that emphasizes innovation. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when trying to be innovative?

General Motors is a company that values innovation, and they want to know what you think about it. They are looking for someone who can help them innovate in their industry. In your answer, explain how you would approach innovating at General Motors.

Example: “I believe the most important thing when trying to be innovative is to have an open mind. You need to be willing to try new things and take risks. I am always up for trying something new if it could benefit the customer or the company. For example, I worked with a team of developers once who were working on a project. We decided to try using a different programming language than we usually used. It ended up being more efficient, which helped us get our project done faster.”

19. Give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward. How did you approach the problem?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills. It’s important that you demonstrate how you approach a problem and the steps you take to solve it.

Example: “I had a guest who was unhappy with their stay because they didn’t have enough towels in their room. I asked them if there were any other issues, but they said no. I then explained that we provide two towels per person for every night of their stay. They insisted that they only received one towel. After speaking with my manager, we decided to give them a free night at our hotel as compensation.”

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

Premier Inn is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. They want to know how you will contribute to their team of employees. This question can help them understand your conflict resolution skills, as well as your ability to work with others.

Example: “In my last position at the local library, I was working on a project with two other librarians. We were all responsible for different aspects of the project, but we had to collaborate in order to complete it. One day, one of the librarians didn’t show up to work, so I ended up having to do her part of the project too. The other librarian and I got into an argument about who should have to redo their portion of the project.”