Top 40 server interview questions to hire the best restaurant staff

Servers help make dining at your restaurant an enjoyable and memorable experience – but for this, you need to make sure you hire the right people. 

It's a role that requires more than just carrying dishes to tables; it involves always meeting and greeting customers with a smile, giving them the right amount of attention without being intrusive, upselling specials without being pushy, and making sure the kitchen staff has all the right info on everyone’s order, even amidst the chaos of a busy night.

So, how do you find the perfect candidate in a pool of potential hires? 

While a test of their tray-carrying skills or a competition to recite the wine list in reverse might be fun to imagine, there's a more effective approach – and no, it doesn’t involve sifting through piles of resumes. A combination of targeted skill assessments and carefully curated server interview questions will help you find your next server quickly and with ease. 

In this article, we’ll talk about both, and provide you with a selection of the best interview questions for servers, along with our advice on what to expect from candidates.

How to assess a server’s skills

When recruiting a server for your restaurant, adopting a hiring strategy that includes both pre-employment skills assessments and insightful interview questions is key. 

Pre-employment skills testing enables you to identify candidates who have the essential skills for the role, while the interviews provide a deeper understanding of their experience, their approach to customer service, and their problem-solving skills.

Here are the top skill tests to consider when hiring a server:

• Attention to Detail: This test evaluates a candidate's ability to notice small yet significant details, a crucial skill for ensuring customers get exactly what they order.

• Communication: Assess applicants’ skills to interact with customers, understand their needs, and relay information accurately to the kitchen and bar staff.

• Hospitality (incl. Restaurant): Tailored specifically for the needs of the hospitality industry, this test measures a candidates’ ability to provide a welcoming, high-quality dining experience.

• Customer Service: Evaluate candidates’ skills in resolving complaints gracefully and ensuring all customers leave your restaurant happy and satisfied. It's vital for finding servers who can maintain your restaurant's reputation.

• Time Management: Do applicants have what it takes to manage their workload during the busiest shifts? This test will help you find out. 

Use these tests to pinpoint the candidates who stand out in terms of skills and invite them for an interview. 

Top 20 server interview questions to hire the best waiting staff

During the interview phase, you can assess candidates’ experiences, evaluate their approach to service, and determine who’s the best fit for creating an excellent dining experience for all of your patrons.

Below, you’ll find our selection of the best server interview questions to ask applicants, along with guidelines on what to look for. 

1. Why do you want to work as a server in our restaurant?

Motivation is one of the factors that distinguish a strong candidate from a sea of average servers.

Candidates should express an interest in your restaurant's cuisine, style, or reputation. The best ones will understand exactly what makes the place unique and show a desire to contribute to its success. 

They might mention specific aspects, such as the fact that your venue is the only one in the area that offers tasting menus, or that it was featured in a Lonely Planet guidebook. 

Use our Motivation test to check whether candidates’ expectations align with what you can offer. For this, you need to fill out a brief survey; the test will then automatically rate applicants’ suitability and fit. 

2. What are your strategies for handling busy shifts?

Are the servers you interview able to stay organized and maintain a positive attitude under pressure? How do they prioritize tables’ requests? How do they make sure they haven’t forgotten a customer’s dietary restrictions even when they’re already tired?

Candidates might talk about specific strategies like: 

• Taking notes and using checklists

• Using downtime to prepare for rush hours

• Communicating effectively with kitchen and floor staff 

The best answers should include examples of these strategies in action. To go a step further, use our Time Management test to assess candidates’ ability to manage their time and workload effectively. 

3. What do you think are the most important qualities a server should have?

Look for mentions of key traits like: 

• Excellent communication

• Customer service

• Attention to detail

• Teamwork 

The best candidates will go beyond the more obvious skills and might talk about empathy, adaptability to changing situations, and a genuine passion for food and the hospitality industry as a whole. 

4. Can you provide an example of how you've dealt with a difficult customer in the past?

Look for stories that show the candidate's problem-solving skills, professionalism, and ability to diffuse tense situations. 

They might explain that they: 

• Listened attentively to the customer

• Figured out the exact reason for their dissatisfaction

• Showed understanding and helped diffuse the situation

• Provided alternatives 

• Checked in with the customer later to see if they were happy with the solution offered

The balance between meeting customers’ needs and sticking to the restaurant’s policies is sometimes delicate; the best candidates will know how to reach it. 

5. How do you ensure you remember all customers' orders and special requests?

Expect techniques that go beyond just "good memory." Candidates might mention repeating orders back to customers for confirmation or writing down orders in a specific way that improves recall. 

The key here is an emphasis on accuracy and customer satisfaction. Ensuring orders are correct the first time reduces waste and delays – and helps your establishment get good Google reviews. 

6. How do you manage your time effectively when assigned to multiple tables?

Applicants might talk about how they assess each table's needs, balancing attentiveness while giving guests enough space, and how they set priorities. For example, they might mention they’d take orders from a newly seated table before clearing the dishes from another. 

Skilled candidates will also mention the importance of clear communication with customers and restaurant staff to manage expectations and ensure smooth service.

7. How would you handle a situation where a customer is unhappy with their meal?

Unhappy customers’ bad reviews can be very damaging to your business’ reputation, so look for waiters and waitresses who show a customer-first attitude and excellent problem-solving skills. Candidates might explain how they would: 

• Acknowledge the customer’s disappointment

• Identify the exact problem

• Offer solutions based on your venue’s policies 

For example, they might offer a replacement dish or remove the item from the bill.

8. What methods do you use to learn the menu?

Candidates might talk about various techniques such as: 

• Studying the menu in sections

• Using flashcards

• Tasting dishes to understand flavors

• Using abbreviations or stories to remember ingredients and cooking methods

Servers who know your menu well will be able to answer guest questions confidently, make good recommendations, and upsell specials and newer items. 

9. Describe how you would deal with a language barrier with a customer.

Top candidates will be creative and patient – and explain how they’d use their smartphone to make communication simpler, for example by using Google Translate’s voice recognition or Google Lens to translate the menu to the customer.

They might also talk about involving a coworker who speaks the customer's language. Or, they might even want to learn key phrases in different languages to improve the customer service! If your restaurant is in a tourist spot, those are the candidates you should be looking for. 

10. How would you handle a situation where a coworker is slacking off during a busy shift?

You’re not looking for someone who’d tell on their coworker immediately – but you also need to make sure they wouldn’t cover someone’s inefficient work or mistakes all the time. So, can candidates find the right balance between teamwork and accountability? 

They might approach their colleague in a friendly way and try to understand if there’s a problem. If the behavior continues, they might chat to a supervisor to find ways to maintain the team’s performance and make sure all customers are happy.

11. Describe a time when you received negative feedback from a customer about your service. How did you respond?

Candidates should recount situations where they received negative feedback and explain how they dealt with it without getting defensive. Did they thank the customer for their input? Did they take action to resolve the issue? 

The best stories will also show emotional capacity, self-reflection, and an ability to learn from the experience.

12. How do you create a memorable dining experience for guests?

Look for servers who understand the importance of attention to detail and of personal touches  – and who know how to read guests' needs and preferences. 

They might share examples of: 

• Personalizing their service (for example by acknowledging a birthday or an anniversary)

• Going above and beyond to fulfill special requests

• Engaging in genuine conversation to make guests feel valued and welcome

The goal is to find candidates who see beyond transactions (and tips) and strive to build connections that encourage repeat visits.

13. How would you manage a situation where you made a mistake with an order?

Mistakes happen, especially during busy shifts. However, candidates should be ready to show accountability, quick problem-solving, and excellent communication skills. 

Expect them to describe how they’d promptly inform the customer and the kitchen staff of their mistake, offer sincere apologies, and correct the order. 

14. What’s your approach to making knowledgeable recommendations about wine and food pairings?

Look for candidates who are passionate about providing excellent customer service – even if they aren’t themselves passionate about wine. 

Skilled servers would study the restaurant's menu and wine list, participate in tastings, and chat with the chef and other kitchen staff to understand how to make strong personalized suggestions. 

15. In what ways do you think a server can impact the overall success of a restaurant?

Any server you hire should be deeply aware of the importance of their role – and know it extends way beyond taking orders and serving food. Waiting staff are the true ambassadors and the faces of your restaurant, so they should know how to: 

• Create a welcoming environment 

• Build rapport with customers (perhaps by cracking a joke or wishing them happy birthday?)

• Maintain good relationships with repeat customers

• Support other staff members and be excellent team players

16. How do you ensure consistency in the quality of service you provide?

The best candidates will have a systematic approach to service that includes preparation before their shift starts, attention to detail, and self-reflection. 

Candidates might talk about:

• Routines that help them stay organized

• Techniques for maintaining high energy and a positive attitude

• Methods for self-evaluation and improvement based on feedback from guests and peers

Use our customer service interview questions to gain deeper insight into applicants’ problem-solving and communication skills. 

17. Describe your experience with handling large party reservations or special events.

Large groups can be a challenge to handle, but the best servers will know exactly what to do to make everyone feel welcome and cared for. 

Candidates should explain their role in planning and providing service for big groups, including special touches that cater to the event's purpose, and give you specific examples from past roles. They should also describe how they handle problems on the spot, such as last-minute changes or unreasonable guest requests.

18. Describe how you would handle a situation where a guest has had too much to drink.

Look for candidates who have sensitivity and tact, and who would discreetly and respectfully cut off service, offer non-alcoholic alternatives, and, if necessary, involve a manager or arrange a safe ride for the patron. The safety and comfort of all guests are essential.

19. How do you deal with unexpected rushes or an influx of guests without reservations?

Expect candidates to share examples of how they've stayed organized, communicated effectively with the team to distribute work evenly, and used strategic seating or a waitlist to improve seating capacity and reduce wait times. 

After all, nobody wants to wait an hour to be seated or to have their order taken, and skilled waiters and waitresses know that better than anyone.

20. How do you handle a situation where you notice a coworker giving incorrect information to a guest?

Expect candidates to explain how they’d discreetly inform their coworker of the mistake or directly provide the correct information to the guest if necessary, without being confrontational or accusatory. 

Team player qualities such as a positive attitude and empathy are key in such situations.

20 more interview questions to ask servers

Need more ideas? Look no further. Below, you’ll find 20 extra interview questions you can ask candidates: 

Describe a time you had to adapt quickly to a change in the menu during a shift. How did you handle it?

1. What strategies do you use to work effectively as part of a team?

2. Can you tell us about a time when you had to deal with a conflict within the team? How was it resolved?

3. What are your strategies for ensuring all guests feel welcome and attended to?

4. How do you stay motivated during slow periods in the restaurant?

5. How do you handle customers’ special requests or dietary restrictions?

6. How do you approach upselling to customers without being pushy?

7. How do you maintain your composure and professionalism in challenging situations, for example when a customer is angry?

8. What’s your strategy for memorizing the restaurant's specials?

9. How do you handle feedback from peers about your performance?

10. What do you believe is the key to effective communication between front-of-house and back-of-house staff?

11. How do you assess the pace at which a table wishes to dine?

12. How do you balance attentiveness with giving guests their space?

13. How would you describe the importance of attention to detail in your work?

14. What steps do you take to ensure that you are approachable and available to guests?

15. How do you approach the end of your shift to ensure a smooth transition for the next server?

16. What strategies do you use to build rapport with regular guests?

17. What approach do you take to ensure that you are continuously improving in your role?

18. Describe a situation where you had to quickly adapt to a menu change during service.

19. How would you deal with a particularly demanding customer?

Use skills tests and the right interview questions to hire the best waiting staff

Waiting tables is a tough job that’s also essential for the reputation of your establishment, so you cannot hire just anyone who applies – you need to make sure that they have the right skills for the role. 

The best way to find out who does (and who doesn’t) is to combine skills tests with structured interviews, where you ask all applicants the same questions in the same order. Follow-up questions are definitely okay, though, so don’t hesitate to use them to dig deeper. 

As for the skills tests? Check out our free plan to start assessing servers’ skills today – or sign up for a free demo to chat with one of our experts about how you can hire the best restaurant staff.

Yep, that’s right, TestGorilla isn’t only for office jobs! We also have tests for hospitality recruitment and even for cooks.