20 Xanterra Interview Questions and Answers

Xanterra is one of the largest hospitality and recreation companies in the United States. The company owns and operates a variety of businesses, including national and state parks, resorts, hotels, restaurants, and tour companies.

If you’re applying for a job at Xanterra, 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 Xanterra interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Xanterra Interview Process

The interview process at Xanterra can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like servers and guest service agents, the interview process is relatively simple and straightforward. You will likely have a phone interview that lasts around 20 minutes, during which the interviewer will ask you basic questions about your experience and why you are interested in the position. For other positions, like IT manager or sustainability coordinator, the interview process may be more involved, with multiple rounds of interviews and a longer hiring timeline. Overall, the interview process at Xanterra is generally positive, with most applicants finding the interviewers to be friendly and helpful.

1. Are you comfortable working with a diverse group of people?

Xanterra is a large company that employs people from all over the world. The hiring manager may ask this question to see if you are comfortable working with people who have different backgrounds than you do. They want to make sure you can work well with others and collaborate on projects. Use your answer to show them that you enjoy interacting with people of all ages, races, genders and cultures.

Example: “I love meeting new people and learning about their lives. I find it fascinating how everyone has such unique experiences and perspectives. I am always excited to meet someone new and hear what they have to say. I think Xanterra would be an excellent place for me because there are so many interesting people here.”

2. What is your experience in the food service industry?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and experience needed for this position. Use your answer to highlight a few of your most relevant experiences, including any leadership roles or certifications you may have.

Example: “I’ve worked in food service since I was 16 years old, starting as a dishwasher at my local restaurant. Over the past 10 years, I’ve held several positions within the industry, including server, bartender and line cook. In each role, I learned new skills and developed my abilities, which helped me advance into management positions. My last job was as a general manager at a steakhouse, where I managed a team of 20 employees.”

3. Do you have any experience in housekeeping?

Housekeeping is an important part of the hospitality industry. Employers ask this question to see if you have any experience in housekeeping and how it relates to their company. If you do, share your previous experiences with housekeeping. If you don’t, explain that you are willing to learn more about housekeeping and develop these skills.

Example: “I worked as a housekeeper at my local hotel for two years. I learned how to clean rooms, bathrooms and common areas. I also learned how to use different cleaning products and tools. My favorite part of being a housekeeper was seeing the final product after I cleaned a room or area.”

4. How would you handle an upset guest?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and resolve issues. Use examples from your experience to show that you’re able to work with others, communicate effectively and solve problems.

Example: “I once had a guest who was upset because they couldn’t find the restroom in our park. I asked them if there was anything else I could do for them while we looked for it together. We found the restroom within five minutes, but I also offered to give them a tour of the rest of the park so they could see everything we have to offer. They were very appreciative of my efforts and said they would return again soon.”

5. Why do you want to work at Xanterra?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know what attracted you to this position and how it fits into your career goals. Your answer should include information about why you are interested in working at Xanterra, as well as some of the aspects that drew you to apply.

Example: “I am very passionate about nature and wildlife, so I was excited to see that Xanterra offers tours and activities centered around these things. I also love interacting with people, so I think being a tour guide would be an excellent fit for me. I have always been fascinated by Native American culture, so I am eager to work for a company that supports local tribes.”

6. What is your availability like?

This question is a great way to determine if you’re going to be able to work the hours required for this position. It’s also an opportunity to show that you understand what those hours are and how they might affect your personal life. When answering, make sure to include all of the times you would need to be available for work.

Example: “I am available from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. I can also work some weekends, but my availability varies depending on which days of the week they fall on. For example, I’m free every Saturday and Sunday, but only one weekend day during the week.”

7. Describe your previous experience in customer service.

Customer service is a vital part of working in the hospitality industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with customer service and how it relates to their company. Use your answer to explain what skills you developed while working in customer service. Show that you are empathetic, friendly and willing to help others.

Example: “I worked as a server at a restaurant for five years. During my time there, I learned how important it was to be friendly and helpful to customers. I always made sure to greet people when they came into the restaurant and asked them if they needed anything. If someone had an issue or complaint, I would try to resolve it as quickly as possible. I also took initiative to learn more about the menu so I could recommend dishes to customers.”

8. Have you ever had to deal with difficult customers before?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and whether or not you have experience dealing with difficult customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to share a specific situation where you had to deal with a customer who was upset or angry. Explain what steps you took to resolve the issue and what your outcome was.

Example: “I once worked at a restaurant that got busy on the weekends. One night, I had a table of six people come in for dinner. The group ordered their food and drinks, but one of the appetizers they ordered never came out. After waiting 20 minutes, the group asked me about their appetizer. I apologized and told them I would get them another appetizer right away. They were happy when I brought them the appetizer, however, they still didn’t leave me a tip.”

9. What are some of your favorite restaurants and why?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential co-workers. It also helps the interviewer get an idea of what kind of food you like and how you feel about eating out with your coworkers. When answering this question, try to include restaurants that are local or unique to the area where you’re interviewing.

Example: “I love trying new places, so I have a few favorites in each city I’ve lived in. In Denver, my favorite restaurant is The Fort because it has amazing southwestern cuisine. My favorite place to eat in New York City is Momofuku Noodle Bar because their ramen bowls are delicious. In San Diego, I love going to Cafe Coyote for authentic Mexican food.”

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

Xanterra is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. They want to know how you handle conflict in the workplace, especially when it involves other team members. Your answer should show your ability to work with others and resolve issues.

Example: “I was working on a project for my marketing class where we had to create an ad campaign for a product. I wanted to do something fun and creative, but one of my classmates wanted to do something more traditional. We met as a group to discuss our ideas, and I tried to be open to their suggestions. In the end, we decided to combine both ideas into one campaign.”

11. Tell us about a time where 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 also shows them how much you care about their company and its guests. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer and what the result was.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a guest who was celebrating her birthday. She told us she wanted to have a surprise party with all of her friends there. We were able to get in touch with all of her friends and let them know they would be having a surprise party. They all showed up and had a wonderful time. The guest was so happy that we helped make her day special.”

12. In what ways can we improve our operations?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and willingness to help the company improve. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific ways you would like to see operations change or new ideas you have for improving customer service.

Example: “I think one of the best ways we can improve our operations is by making sure all employees are trained on how to handle any situation that may arise. I’ve worked at other parks where there was no training program in place, which led to some confusion among staff members about their roles. Having a clear system in place for employee training could really benefit Xanterra.”

13. What is your greatest weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews. Employers ask it to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself as an employee. When answering this question, try to be honest but also highlight a weakness that isn’t too important or relevant to the job.

Example: “My greatest weakness is my perfectionism. I want everything to be perfect all of the time, which can sometimes lead me to working longer hours than necessary. However, I am always able to meet deadlines and complete projects on time, so I have learned to balance my perfectionism with realistic expectations.”

14. What is your ideal position?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s career goals. It also allows you to see if they are qualified for your open position. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include what skills and experiences you have that make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I am looking for an entry-level hospitality management position where I can use my customer service experience to help guests enjoy their visit. My previous work as a server has given me valuable communication skills and taught me how to multitask in a fast-paced environment. I would love to apply these skills to Xanterra.”

15. If hired, what would be your approach to designing software for an assembly line?

This question is an opportunity to show your technical skills and how you would apply them in a work environment. Your answer should include the steps you would take to design software for an assembly line, as well as any specific tools or programs you would use.

Example: “I would first create a flowchart of the entire process from start to finish. Then I would break down each step into individual tasks that need to be completed before moving on to the next stage. Next, I would write code for each task using a programming language like Java or C++. Finally, I would test my code to ensure it works properly.”

16. Provide 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 also shows them how you can use your problem-solving skills and creativity to find solutions to customer issues.

Example: “I once had a customer who was visiting from out of state with her family. She called me because she couldn’t get into her hotel room, as she forgot her key card at home. I offered to drive over to her hotel and let her in so she could get settled. When I arrived, she gave me a gift basket full of snacks and souvenirs from her trip. She told me it was the least she could do after I went out of my way to help her.”

17. If a customer was unhappy with their purchase, how would you handle the situation?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle customer complaints and whether you have experience with conflict resolution. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “If a customer was unhappy with their purchase, I would first apologize for any inconvenience they experienced. Then, I would ask them what they were looking for in a solution. If it’s possible, I would offer to exchange or refund their purchase. If that isn’t an option, I would try to find another way to make up for the situation. For example, if they purchased food at one of our locations but didn’t like it, I would offer to give them a discount on a future purchase.”

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

This question is a common one in interviews. It allows you to highlight your strengths and weaknesses while also showing the interviewer that you are self-aware. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what skills you have that would help you succeed in this role. You can also consider which skills you need to improve on.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am always looking for ways to support my coworkers and make sure they’re happy and comfortable at work. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on making sure everyone else is doing okay that I forget to take care of myself. I’m working on being better about taking breaks throughout the day.”

19. Do you have experience working in a team environment?

Xanterra is a large company that relies on teamwork to ensure guests have an enjoyable experience at the national parks. The hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your ability to collaborate with others and share ideas. Use your answer to explain how you work well in teams and what skills you use to help your team succeed.

Example: “I’ve always enjoyed working in a team environment because it allows me to combine my ideas with those of other people. I find that by collaborating with others, we can come up with better solutions than if we worked alone. In my last role as a server at a restaurant, I was part of a team of servers who helped each other out when needed. We also shared our best practices so everyone could improve their service.”

20. We want our assembly line workers to be able to work independently. Do you think you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work independently and how you would approach a situation like this. When answering, it can be helpful to think about the skills you have that could help you succeed in this type of environment.

Example: “I am very comfortable working on my own and I enjoy having the freedom to do things at my own pace. In fact, I find that I am often more productive when I don’t have someone looking over my shoulder. I also feel that I am good at prioritizing tasks so that I get them done as efficiently as possible.”