Waiter interview questions in Romania, with good answers
The questions Romanian restaurant and hotel managers ask waiters at an interview, what they want to hear, and how to answer in simple English.
By Viorel Păun, The Butler Hospitality Collection
In short: the manager wants to know three things: do you know the service rules, can you work fast under pressure, and are you good with guests. Short, clear answers with a real example from your work are better than long answers.
Questions about your experience
1. Tell me about your last job.
Good answer: “I worked two years as a waiter in a hotel restaurant in Kathmandu, with about 60 seats. I served breakfast and dinner, and I looked after 6 to 8 tables.” Say the type of place, how long, and how many tables.
2. Have you worked with à la carte service or with a buffet?
Good answer: say which one, and what you did: took orders, served wine, refilled the buffet, cleared tables.
3. How many tables can you handle?
Good answer: a real number from your experience. Do not say “any number”.
Questions about service
4. From which side do you serve a plate?
Answer: plated food from the right, with the right hand. You also clear from the right.
5. Who do you serve first at a table?
Answer: ladies and older guests first, the host last.
6. When do you clear the plates?
Answer: when the whole table has finished, not one by one.
7. How do you open a bottle of wine at the table?
Answer: show the label to the guest, cut the foil, pull the cork quietly, give a little to the guest who ordered it to taste, then serve the others.
Practise these questions: the free waiter test in English has 10 questions like these, with an explanation after each answer.
Questions about guests and problems
8. A guest says they are allergic to nuts. What do you do?
Answer: I write it down, confirm it with the guest and tell the kitchen at once. If I am not sure about an ingredient, I check and come back. I never guess.
9. A guest complains about the food. What do you do?
Answer: I listen, I apologise, I offer to change the dish and I tell the manager.
10. Two tables call you at the same time.
Answer: I show both tables that I have seen them, then I go to them one by one, calmly.
Questions about you
11. Can you work evenings, weekends and in the season?
Answer: be honest. Restaurants are busiest in the evening, at weekends and in summer.
12. Do you speak any Romanian?
Answer: if you know a few words, say them: “Bună ziua” (good day), “Mulțumesc” (thank you). It shows you want to learn.
Bring proof, not only a CV
The Butler certificate, with its QR code, shows the manager your real results. The full waiter assessment in English has 4 modules. When you pass, The Butler issues your certificate, which the employer can check on their phone.
Frequently asked questions
Is the interview in English?
Often yes, in hotels and international restaurants. Smaller restaurants may use an interpreter or the agency.
Will there be a practical test?
Many managers ask you to carry plates, set a table or serve a glass of wine. Practise at home.
The Butler certificate is issued by The Butler Collection SRL to everyone who passes the assessment. It is not a Romanian state qualification (ANC) certificate. This page does not give advice about visas or work permits; ask your licensed recruitment agency or the Romanian authorities.
