How To Interview For Restaurant Management Jobs

Introduction

Restaurants are a particular segment of the hospitality industry that has grown by leaps and bounds over the years. This is one reason that there are so many advertisements for restaurant management jobs. At one point in time, people traveled to metropolitan areas, such as New York City and Chicago, to experience the best eateries. Today, consumers can find high-quality restaurants right in their own neighborhood, on a local level.

The conglomerates and groups that own and run chains of high-end restaurants have high expectations for management. They want managers who can run the place like it is in NYC, even though it is actually in a smaller suburban area. Consider the following pointers on how to interview for restaurant management jobs, if you need advice.

Step 1

Know your cuisine as you interview for restaurant management jobs. You don't have to be a master chef, who is world renowned, but you have to know about what you are preparing and serving to your customers. In many cases, people will ask to see the "manager" not the "cook," when something is not properly prepared and brought to the table.

For example, is a steak is under or overcooked, it is a simple matter of asking the staff in the kitchen to bring the steak up to customer expectations or start over. However, a manager should understand why there is a growing wave of customers who want to eat raw or "rare" foods, such as trying to adhere the paleo or caveman diet fad.

Mention your knowledge of cuisine and eating trends during the interview to both impress the owners as well as get them thinking about aspects of the menu that they might have never considered before.

Step 2

Know the business side of running an establishment restaurant management jobs. Understand your core clientele, such as the breakfast, lunch or dinner crowd. For example, note in the interview that since the restaurant is downtown, it's important to be fully staffed with kitchen cooks and dining room waiters waiters in the afternoon hours.

Step 3

Talk about stock market and trading factors that affect businesses as you interview restaurant management jobs. The owner already has to think about the cost of food and supplies, and he or she may be impressed that you are able to appreciate the intricacies making a restaurant operate day-to-day. For example, rice is a commodity that goes up and down in price. If you are wanting to run an oriental restaurant, it is important to stay attuned to the market price for rice.

Step 4

Highlight your previous experience as a manager as you interview for restaurant management jobs. Management skills are very transferable.

Step 5

Know the local and non-local competition from other restaurants as you interview for management jobs. Let the owners know that you are aware of the importance of marketing and luring customers into the restaurant, away from competitors.

Conclusion

If you are lacking any skills to get restaurant management jobs, consider taking a few extra college or continuing education courses that can bring you up to speed as to work owners and restaurateurs are looking for in the modern manager.

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