General Manager Interview Questions To Expect
Snippet Title
Are you curious about what kind of general manager interview questions you'll get?
Prepping for interviews is like perfecting your signature dish in the kitchen - you'll have your own secret recipe that sets you apart and makes a lasting impression. The key to nailing interviews is all in preparation. The more work you put into prep, the more likely you will impress the hiring team and secure the job.
Great pub experiences aren’t just brewed up out of nowhere. They are created by General Managers and the amazing team that supports them to make sure everything runs smoothly.
If you are ready to lead and inspire a team at Greene King, here are some top tips for perfecting your interview:
How To Prepare For General Manager Interview Questions
1. Research the company
Understanding what the company does, its mission and values can help you narrow down the businesses you want to work for. It lets you know if the business matches your values and career ambitions. Because let’s face it, you want to work for a company where you will fit right in.
Our values at Greene King help remind us of what is important to all of us and why. We seek people who put the customer first, care about people and their communities, and are keen to succeed, take ownership, win, learn, and celebrate together.
Highlighting these values in your interviews will let the Greene King team know that you’ve done your research and you’d be a great addition to the culture and team.
2. Understanding the role
Understanding the role you are interviewing for is like having the roadmap to success. Don’t go in blindfolded - instead, read up on the key responsibilities of a General Manager position and the skills you’ll need.
If you can think about how to connect the dots between your past jobs and the responsibilities and skills of a General Manager, your interviewers won’t know what hit them when you deliver the perfect answers to their anticipated questions.
As one of our General Managers, you’ll lead by example in everything you do. If you have led a team in the past and have the results to show for it, this is what you want to shout about in your interview.
3. Types of interview questions
Let’s dive into the types of interview questions along with some great examples so you know exactly what to expect.
- Situational is where you’ll be thrown into hypothetical situations and asked how you would approach them. For example, if the pub was really busy, how would you make sure that your team is still delivering an amazing experience for our customers?
- Behavioral - these questions ask about your past experience. They might ask, “Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.”
- Technical - you’ll be tested on your knowledge and skills as a General Manager. For instance, how do you keep on top of pub sales and keep your team on track throughout the month?
Remember to keep calm and stay confident. We want you to do well in your interviews. It’s all about communicating your experience and skills and showing you can do the job.
4. Giving a strong interview
You’ve put in the work and are ready to impress. The last step is to give a strong interview and let those interviewers know YOU are the person for the job. How, you might be wondering?
By asking thoughtful questions! Remember, this is a chance for you to get to know the ins and outs of the job and interviewers to get to know you. Are you wondering about Diversity and Inclusion, what goals you will be expected to achieve in the first six months of the role or what the team structure looks like - now’s your chance to ask away!
The next top tip is to arrive on time, if not a few minutes early. Timeliness is important for General Managers as you are leading by example. If you set the tone by being late, your team will follow. Arriving on time shows you respect people’s time and are organised - the exact qualities of a General Manager!
Land the General Manager Gig at Greene King
You’ve mastered the interview questions, understood the role of a general manager, and know what it takes to give a showstopping interview - now it's time for you to shine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What questions are asked in a general manager interview?
They'll throw questions at you about leading a diverse team, knowing when to step in and help your people, and knowing your industry inside out. Get ready to chat about how you run the show, deal with challenges head on, and hit those business targets.
How do you ace a GM interview?
Do your homework on the company, shout about what you’ve learnt as a leader, and make sure your skills match up with what they're after. And don't forget to talk yourself up and show you know what's hot in the industry right now.
What are the six responsibilities of the general manager?
Usually, it's all about strategy, keeping the gears turning, handling finance, wrangling the team, keeping customers happy, and throwing in some innovation for good measure. GMs juggle a bit of everything to ensure things run smoothly.
What makes someone a good general manager?
You need to bring the heat with strong leadership, killer communication, big-picture thinking, the ability to roll with the punches, and some problem-solving magic. The best GMs really know their industry inside and out and can dance through the tricky stuff like it's a piece of cake.
Tags
4 REASONS TO CONSIDER PUB MANAGEMENT ROLES AT GREENE KING
Is there anywhere happier than the pub? The place people go to enjoy each other’s company and indulge in delicious food and drink. This lively atmosphere is created by our Pub Managers who head up happiness. If you’re thinking about Pub Management roles, Greene King should be on your radar. Here are four reasons why our Pub Management roles are unique and rewarding:
Read More...related jobs
Salary
£30,000 - £34,000 + Bonus
Location
Dick Turpin (Wickford),Wickford,SS12 9HZ
Business Area
Assistant Manager
Brand
Pub and Carvery
Hours
Full time
Location
Wickford
Description
What you'll do as an Assistant Manager... Support the General Manager in the day to day running of the business and leading the business in their absence. Bring our brand to life by leading the tea
Reference
ca6b23bd-8ec2-4456-99be-3ff3a4ef3c09
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Caroline AtkinsAuthor
Caroline AtkinsSalary
£28,000 - £32,000 + Bonus
Location
Watermill (Dorking),Diss,RH4 1NN
Business Area
Kitchen Manager
Brand
Crafted Pubs
Hours
Full time
Location
Dorking
Description
As a Sous Chef, you will… Communicate with all the team and develop great working relationships with all team members Take responsibility for ensuring standards of cleanliness and hygiene are maintain
Reference
f63d739a-51ad-4864-9620-430eaf83e52e
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Thomas NewellAuthor
Thomas NewellSalary
Upto £14.00 per hour + Tips
Location
George (Holborn),Holborn,WC2R 1AP
Business Area
Chef
Brand
Metropolitan Pub Company
Hours
Full time
Location
London
Description
As a Chef, you will…Prepare, cook and present food which meets specs and customer expectationsMaintain hygiene levels and safety regulations in the kitchen to help guarantee the safety of your entire
Reference
9ed14242-e2e2-45fa-a502-d8c14a23ba23
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Sam StaceyAuthor
Sam StaceySalary
£28,000 - £31,000 + Bonus
Location
Crown (Claydon),Claydon,IP6 0AA
Business Area
Assistant Manager
Brand
Hungry Horse
Hours
Full time
Location
Claydon
Description
What you'll do as an Assistant Manager... Support the General Manager in the day to day running of the business and leading the business in their absence. Bring our brand to life by leading the tea
Reference
7299b872-fba4-44f6-ab07-d44539229b5d
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Caroline AtkinsAuthor
Caroline AtkinsSalary
£30,000 - £33,000 + Bonus
Location
Star (Burnley),Burnley,BB11 2EG
Business Area
Kitchen Manager
Brand
Pub and Carvery
Hours
Full time
Location
Burnley
Description
As a Kitchen Manager, you will… Take the reins in the kitchen, whether you are making decisions or coming up with fresh ways to help the team run better together. Communicate clearly with your team i
Reference
49ac520a-0fd0-42a9-a7fa-c9b41506d934
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Carol WatsonAuthor
Carol WatsonSalary
£30,000 - £33,000 + Bonus
Location
Swan (Abbots Langley),Abbots Langley,WD5 0NR
Business Area
Assistant Manager
Brand
Greene King Pubs
Hours
Full time
Location
Abbots Langley
Description
What you'll do as an Assistant Manager... Support the General Manager in the day to day running of the business and leading the business in their absence. Bring our brand to life by leading the tea
Reference
23ca3bcd-43fd-4216-b05f-ea52a50459c7
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Ellie BurrowsAuthor
Ellie BurrowsSalary
Upto £11.44 per hour
Location
Oadby Owl (Leicester),Oadby,LE2 4PE
Business Area
Waiting Staff
Brand
Hungry Horse
Hours
Part time
Location
Leicester
Description
Your role as Waiting Staff, you will... Provide customers with a heartfelt and memorable experience each and every time they visit Know the menu inside out, offering recommendations to customers. Gr
Reference
640b7ea0-19bd-4fd5-b6ee-30a7ef62d9d0
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Upto £11.50 per hour
Location
Harrington Arms (Sawley),Long Eaton,NG10 3AU
Business Area
Bar Staff
Brand
Pub and Grill
Hours
Part time
Location
Long Eaton
Description
As a member of our Bar Staff, you will…Provide customers with a heartfelt and memorable experience each and every time they visitBe the insider behind the bar, offering recommendations to customersPre
Reference
4fda19a7-cd56-4feb-8566-bb68361d5a0b
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£34,000 - £38,000 + Bonus
Location
Ship (Bedford),Bedford,MK40 3JB
Business Area
General Manager
Brand
Greene King Pubs
Hours
Full time
Location
Bedford
Description
What you'll do as a General Manager... Work with your business development manager and management team to grow pub sales Lead by example in everything you do and bring our brand to life through your t
Reference
abbd4bd3-a588-4814-8397-026bebe86388
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Author
Caroline AtkinsAuthor
Caroline AtkinsSalary
Upto £12.00 per hour
Location
Air Balloon (Filton),Filton,BS34 7PY
Business Area
Team Leader
Brand
Flaming Grill
Hours
Full time
Location
Filton
Description
As a Team Leader, you will…Provide customers with a heartfelt and memorable experience each and every time they visitDeputise for the management team and resolve any issues that arise in their absence
Reference
f505f3a2-f3c5-405e-b338-a8621cfebe5f
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
related posts
Teaser
Bar and WaitingContent Type
BlogsPublish date
05/13/2024
Summary
Looking a Change this Summer ? Greene King Serves Up Flexibility Summer is the time for new adventures. A break from everyday routines. Whether you're a student heading home,
by
Charley Young
Teaser
ApprenticeshipsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
04/25/2024
Summary
Imagine walking into work each day at one of the nation's most iconic pubs, restaurants, or hotels. You love creating memorable experiences and get to do this in a fast-paced, vibrant environment,
by
Carol Watson
Teaser
Bar and WaitingContent Type
BlogsPublish date
04/23/2024
Summary
Snippet Title At Greene King, our values help to steer us along our journey towards becoming the pride of British hospitality. One of our values is a customer-first approach which means custom
by
Ellie Burrows
Teaser
Inclusion & DiversityContent Type
BlogsPublish date
04/19/2024
Summary
What does it mean to be an ally? It's a question that calls us to look beyond our own experience, to see the inequities and barriers faced by others in our midst. At Greene King, we believe that f
by
Billie McGibbon
Teaser
KitchenContent Type
BlogsPublish date
04/18/2024
Summary
Crafting a CV that reflects your unique flavour, is not just about listing experiences; it's about showcasing your passion for the kitchen, your dedication to quality, and your flair for teamwork.
by
Caroline Atkins
Teaser
Bar and WaitingContent Type
BlogsPublish date
04/17/2024
Summary
Snippet Title Discover why working as a Team Leader is more than just a job, it's an adventure filled with pride, passion, and pints of personality! Our customers are at the heart of everything
by
Kelly Batho
Teaser
Head OfficeContent Type
BlogsPublish date
04/15/2024
Summary
At Greene King, we believe in nurturing our talent. One of our values embodies this - freedom to succeed. This looks like giving our colleagues the freedom to explore and create their own career path
by
Tom Risley
Teaser
BreweryContent Type
BlogsPublish date
04/15/2024
Summary
Snippet Title Did you know that here at Greene King we brew around 130 million pints a year? That’s enough to fill 29 Olympic swimming pools. If you are passionate about the art of brewing and the s
by
Jenn Morris
Teaser
Bar and WaitingContent Type
BlogsPublish date
04/09/2024
Summary
Soak Up Good Vibes With Summer Jobs at Greene KingAs the warm weather arrives and the days grow longer, there's no better place to soak up the summer vibes than at a Greene King pub. Whether
by
Charley Young
Teaser
ApprenticeshipsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
03/07/2024
Summary
Snippet Title At Greene King, we're not just about crafting extraordinary dishes; we're committed to building careers through Apprenticeships. From the very beginning, you'll blend hands-on exp
by
Rachel Jones