Weird Questions

HoneyBunny960

Wondering if anyone can help. I've just sat down to apply for a bar job. Passed the online screening, continued with my application and on the last page they ask the following:

Describe your favourite meal?
Describe your favourite drink?
What was your most embarrassing moment?
What are your interests/hobbies?

Obviously these questions normally are straight forward but is there a better answer to put because its a bar job? I can't really think what to say that would benefit my application. Any help would be much appreciated.

an9i77

I'd imagine they are asking these so that if you get to interview, they have something to break the ice and chat to you about, I don't think there's a right or wrong answer. It's just to enable a light hearted conversation so they can see what kind of personality fit you'd be. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Having said that think carefully before you answer the embarrassing moment one - nothing that will make you look too incompetent/stupid/forgetful so try and choose one that isn't your fault!

MacMickster

Unfortunately some employers still ask some pretty stupid questions which are unlikely to provide much idea of your suitability for the job that you have applied to do.

I still recall as a student applying for a run of the mill holiday job in a hotel gym (more years ago than I would like to say) being asked "If you were in charge of attracting inwards investment to a disadvantaged part of the UK, how would you sell the area to foreign investors over other similar areas?" I got the job despite replying that if I had the answer to that question I would be applying for better jobs than theirs.

scheming_gypsy

the better answer is the right answer. If you put down that you enjoy lobster and caviar washed down with Crystal champagne; your most embarrassing moment was when you fell off your polo pony in front of the queen and that your hobbies are, polo, croquet, collecting royal memorabilia and going to the queens garden party..... you'll get filed in the big round filing cabinet. They're probably wanting to make sure you're compatible with the rest of the staff / team

Jariya

I'd agree with an9i77.

It's just a bit of a get to know you thing - and to see a sense of humour too.

The last thing that you want when working in a team environment like bar work is for someone to be mortified if for example they dropped a drink!

I remember when I worked doing bar food when I was 16 and I was so shy back then too!
I took a huge food order out to the garden and the garden was packed!
I called the order out and it all went quiet..then they all started laughing..I didn't know what they were laughing at and then someone pointed out that the cats might need it after they had er finished..

I looked over and saw the pub cat and next door's cat having some um..fun..in view of the whole garden!!!
I was a little mortified and it stopped me in my tracks and I had no choice but to laugh along with everyone else! I did go back in the kitchen for a second, composed myself, came out again with the order and a grin on my face, called it out again and got a round of applause from all the customers! Haha!

Gleeful

In a recent job interview, I was asked 'What kind of humour do you like?'

For a job as a teacher!

thegirlintheattic

It's to get an idea of you as a person, just avoid anything too extreme and don't lie, they could refer to it in the interview!

Lizling

Lol, bar job applications seem to have got a lot more complicated over the last few years!

Anyway, the first 2 questions might be testing to see if you've got a passion for food and drink, depending on what sort of place it is. I'd elaborate a bit on the answers and describe what makes these things your favourite. You might be able to demonstrate that you know what can make the difference between a good and bad drink.

Strider590

HoneyBunny960 wrote: »

Wondering if anyone can help. I've just sat down to apply for a bar job. Passed the online screening, continued with my application and on the last page they ask the following:

Describe your favourite meal?
Describe your favourite drink?
What was your most embarrassing moment?
What are your interests/hobbies?

These questions are to gauge your level of enthusiasm for food/drink, how well you cope with potentially embarrassing situations (what happened and what did you do/learn) and how well you can communicate with people when asked about your own interests/hobbies (as often happens to bar staff)..... Plus If your interests are "sitting in front of TV" or "playing computer games", they'll deduce that you won't be a very social person.