20 White Lodging Interview Questions and Answers

White Lodging is one of the largest hotel management companies in the United States. The company manages a portfolio of over 170 hotels across the country, including Marriott, Hilton, and Sheraton properties.

If you’re applying for a job at White Lodging, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of White Lodging interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

White Lodging Interview Process

The interview process at White Lodging can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like servers and guest service representatives, the process is relatively simple and straightforward. You fill out an online application and then are contacted for an in-person interview. If you pass the interview, you may be asked to take a personality test and/or a drug test. For other positions, like managers and directors, the process is much more extensive. You may be interviewed by multiple people, including members of the executive team, and asked questions about your experience dating back to childhood. The process can take several weeks or even months.

1. What would you do if a customer asked for an upgrade to their room?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you have the interpersonal skills and problem-solving abilities to make customers happy while also maintaining company standards.

Example: “If a customer asked for an upgrade, I would first ask them why they wanted one. If it was because of a noise issue or other problem with their current room, I would offer them another room in the same area as their original room. If they still insisted on an upgrade, I would check if there were any upgrades available. If not, I would apologize and explain our policy.”

2. What is your experience with managing employees?

This question can help the interviewer determine your management style and how you would handle a team of employees. Use examples from previous experience to show that you are able to lead a group of people, communicate effectively and solve problems when they arise.

Example: “In my last role as an assistant manager at a restaurant, I was responsible for managing all front-of-house staff members. This included hiring new employees, training them on company policies and procedures and ensuring they were performing their job duties correctly. I also had to manage employee schedules and ensure everyone was working their scheduled shifts. If someone called in sick or needed time off, I had to find replacements.”

3. Why did you apply for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your intentions for applying. They want to know if you are genuinely interested in the position or if you’re just looking for a job. Before your interview, make sure you read through the job description and highlight what interests you most about the role. When answering this question, be honest and explain why you would be a good fit for the company.

Example: “I applied for this position because I am passionate about customer service. Throughout my career, I have worked with many different customers and learned how to adapt to their needs. In this role, I would love to help guests feel welcome at our hotel. I think I could use my communication skills to resolve any issues they may have.”

4. If hired, what would be your approach to increasing revenue at the hotel?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to increase revenue at White Lodging. You can answer this question by describing a specific strategy or process that you would use to help the hotel achieve its goals.

Example: “I believe that increasing revenue starts with understanding what drives guests to book rooms at our hotels. I would conduct market research to learn more about our target audience, including their preferences for amenities, price points and booking methods. Then, I would develop marketing strategies based on these insights to attract new customers while also encouraging repeat business from existing ones.”

5. How well do you work under pressure?

White Lodging is a fast-paced environment, and the interviewer wants to make sure you can handle pressure. When answering this question, be honest about your ability to work under pressure and how you’ve overcome challenges in the past.

Example: “I thrive under pressure because it motivates me to perform at my best. In my previous role as an event planner, I had to plan events for thousands of people. While that was challenging, I learned to delegate tasks to other members of my team so I could focus on the most important aspects of the event. This helped me manage my time more effectively and ensured everything went smoothly.”

6. Do you have any experience working in the hospitality industry?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to this role. If you have experience working in hospitality, share what you learned from that job and how it can help you succeed in this position.

Example: “I worked as a server at a local restaurant while I was going through college. This job taught me how important customer service is when interacting with guests. It also helped me develop my communication skills because I had to speak clearly to both customers and other staff members. These two skills are especially helpful when working in a large hotel like White Lodging.”

7. Describe a time when you had to deal with an unhappy guest and how you handled it.

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know how you would react in a challenging situation and whether you have the necessary communication skills to resolve it.

Example: “I once had an unhappy guest who was upset because they didn’t get their room until two hours after check-in time. I listened carefully to what they were saying, apologized for the inconvenience and explained that there was a computer glitch that caused the delay. The guest accepted my apology and said they understood. I offered them a free breakfast as compensation.”

8. We want our guests to feel like they are part of a family here. Tell us about a time where you made someone feel welcome.

This question is a great way to show your interpersonal skills and how you can help others feel comfortable. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to make someone feel welcome and valued.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a guest who was celebrating their birthday. They were having a rough day because they missed their family back home. I noticed that they seemed sad, so I asked them if everything was okay. After talking with them for a bit, I learned that it was their birthday. I got permission from my manager to bring in some cupcakes and balloons to surprise them.”

9. White Lodging has several hotels throughout the US. Where else would you be willing to relocate to?

White Lodging is a large company with locations in many states. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are willing to relocate for the job and how far you’re willing to go. Prepare your answer by thinking about which cities you would be open to living in. Consider researching the different White Lodging locations before your interview so that you can mention them specifically.

Example: “I’m excited to learn that there are several locations throughout the US. I’ve always wanted to visit Florida, so I’d be happy to move there. If I got this position, I could also consider moving to other states like California or Texas.”

10. Are you familiar with using reservation systems? Which ones?

White Lodging uses a proprietary reservation system, so the interviewer wants to know if you have experience using similar systems. If you do, explain your experience and how it helped you in previous roles. If you don’t, let them know that you’re willing to learn new software.

Example: “I’ve used several different types of reservation systems throughout my career. I’m most comfortable with online booking engines like Booking.com and Hotels.com, but I also have some experience with White Lodging’s current system. I would be happy to take additional training on any reservations system you use.”

11. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers ask this question because they want to know what your greatest strengths are so that you can use them on the job. They also want to know about any weaknesses so that you can work on improving them. When answering this question, be sure to focus on your strengths first.

Example: “My greatest strength is my attention to detail. I am very thorough when performing tasks, which helps me ensure that everything is done correctly. My weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed by large projects. In these situations, I find it helpful to break down the project into smaller steps so that I can complete it successfully.”

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

This question is a great way to determine how well you understand customer service. It also shows the interviewer that you know what’s important when interacting with customers and other employees. Your answer should include an example of how you would handle a situation where you had to interact with a customer.

Example: “I think it’s most important to remember that every customer is different, so I always try to be as helpful as possible. For instance, if someone asks me for directions, I make sure to give them detailed instructions rather than just giving them the shortest route. This helps ensure they can get there without any problems.”

13. What type of environment do you prefer to work in?

White Lodging is a large company with many different departments. The interviewer wants to know if you would be happy working in their environment and what type of work environment you prefer. Your answer should show that you are adaptable, but also honest about your preferences.

Example: “I have worked in both fast-paced environments and more relaxed ones. I find that I am most productive when there is a balance between the two. For example, I like having enough time to complete my tasks without feeling rushed, but I also enjoy being part of an active team. I think White Lodging’s culture seems like it would be a good fit for me.”

14. What do you know about White Lodging?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to see how much you know about their company. It’s important that you do your research before going into an interview, and this is one of the best ways to show that you’re prepared. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about White Lodging that you learned from your research.

Example: “I know that White Lodging has been in business since 1926. I also know that they have over 100 hotels across the country. I’m excited to learn more about the company as I work here.”

15. What are some things that you look for when booking a hotel stay?

This question can help the interviewer understand your preferences and how you might fit in with their company. It also helps them see if you have any special requests that may be challenging to accommodate. Your answer should show that you are flexible, but you also have some specific needs or preferences.

Example: “I look for a clean room with comfortable beds and pillows. I prefer a hotel that has an indoor pool because my family enjoys swimming. We also like having a restaurant on-site so we don’t have to leave the hotel for dinner. If there is a shuttle service, that’s even better.”

16. What would you do if you saw a fellow employee acting unprofessionally?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation at work. In your answer, try to show that you value professionalism and respect for others. You can also use this opportunity to explain what behaviors you consider unprofessional so the interviewer knows what you expect from yourself and other employees.

Example: “I believe it’s important to treat everyone with respect, even if they’re having a bad day or making mistakes. If I saw someone acting unprofessionally, I would first ask them if there was anything I could do to help. If they were just having a bad day, I’d offer to give them some space. If they continued to act unprofessionally after that, I would speak to my manager about the issue.”

17. Can you explain why you left your previous job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your career path and how you’ve grown as a professional. They want to know that you’re motivated by challenges and are willing to take risks in order to grow professionally. When answering, be honest but also highlight the positive aspects of your previous job.

Example: “I left my last position because I wanted to work for a company with more opportunities for advancement. White Lodging has an excellent reputation within the hospitality industry, so I knew it would be a great place to advance my career. I’m excited to use my skills and knowledge to help this company achieve its goals.”

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

White Lodging is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. They want to know how you handle conflict in the workplace, especially when working with others on a project. Your answer should show your ability to communicate effectively and work through disagreements.

Example: “In my last position as an event planner, I was working on a large corporate event where we had multiple teams of people working together. One day, one team member from another department came up to me and said they were unhappy with their role at the event. They felt like they weren’t being given enough responsibility and wanted to be promoted to lead the event planning for the entire company.

I talked to our manager about this situation and he decided to promote the employee to lead all future events for the company. This helped everyone feel more comfortable and happy with their roles.”

19. Have you ever worked in a fast-paced environment before?

White Lodging is a company that requires its employees to work quickly and efficiently. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working in a fast-paced environment before. Use your answer to explain how you handle working under pressure.

Example: “In my previous role, I worked as an event planner for a large corporation. My job was to plan events for the CEO of the company, which required me to work quickly and efficiently. I learned how to manage my time well so I could complete tasks on time. This helped me become accustomed to working in a fast-paced environment.”

20. What kind of activities do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and interests. They want to make sure you’ll fit in with their team, so they’re looking for people who enjoy similar activities as the rest of the employees. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest. If you don’t like sports or outdoor activities, say that you prefer indoor activities instead.

Example: “I love going to concerts and festivals. I’ve been to several music festivals over the last few years, and I’m always looking for new ones to attend. I also really enjoy playing board games with friends. My favorite is Cards Against Humanity, but I have a lot of fun with pretty much any game.”