General Manager Interview Questions To Expect
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
related jobs
Salary
£13.50 per hour + Service Charge + Tips
Location
Roebuck (Richmond)
Business Area
BOH Teammate - 500104
Brand
Heritage - BRA_208
Hours
Full time
Description
As a Chef, your passion for all things food, and the desire to make the perfect dish every time, is what sets you apart. With a keen eye for maintaining the highest standards and thriving during a fas
Reference
ff6fe0fe-616a-4ac4-86f3-be3d272850ac
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£12.21 - £12.50
Location
White Barn (Cuddington)
Business Area
FOH Team Leader - 500026
Brand
Hungry Horse - BRA_104
Hours
Full time
Description
As a Team Leader, you’ll lead by example, making sure the team have everything they need so the shift runs like clockwork! You’ll make sure the team maintain high standards and that our customers are
Reference
50fa9c1a-51f0-413c-b1ae-fc755ff02826
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£8.00 - £12.21
Location
War Horse (Chorley)
Business Area
BOH Teammate - 500104
Brand
Hungry Horse - BRA_104
Hours
Part time
Description
As a Chef, your passion for all things food, and the desire to make the perfect dish every time, is what sets you apart. With a keen eye for maintaining the highest standards and thriving during a fas
Reference
764fadc9-ac30-4447-bb70-047c11b4e7c6
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£8.00 - £12.21
Location
Crab & Winkle (Peterborough)
Business Area
BOH Teammate - 500104
Brand
Pub & Social - BRA_202
Hours
Part time
Description
As a Chef, your passion for all things food, and the desire to make the perfect dish every time, is what sets you apart. With a keen eye for maintaining the highest standards and thriving during a fas
Reference
0718f78b-8bdf-4e8f-b074-3331e569f1f7
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£8.00 - £12.21
Location
Heron (Havant)
Business Area
FOH Teammate - 500097
Brand
Hungry Horse - BRA_104
Hours
Part time
Description
As Bar & Waiting Staff, you’ll be key to creating unforgettable moments for customers, whether you’re pouring a pint or recommending the perfect drink to a customer after a long day, you’ll keep the g
Reference
ec8d1ce5-f88f-44bd-9958-677cf4f82691
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£32,000 - £36,000 + Bonus
Location
Tandem (Kennington)
Business Area
Kitchen Manager - 500389
Brand
Hungry Horse - BRA_104
Hours
Full time
Description
As a Head Chef, you’ll make sure everything in the kitchen runs smoothly during a busy service. You’ll know how to get the best out of your team by encouraging and supporting them to work well togethe
Reference
b406fa96-6e19-4ad4-b21c-8ff64049eb70
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£30,000 - £33,000 + Bonus
Location
Tandem (Kennington)
Business Area
Assistant Manager - 500037
Brand
Hungry Horse - BRA_104
Hours
Full time
Description
As Assistant Manager, you’ll be at the heart of our management team, helping to ensure the smooth running of a busy pub. From the moment you step through the door, you lead by example making sure our
Reference
43196c3d-061e-4b9e-b342-ae1678477ada
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£30,000 - £34,000 + Bonus
Location
Nottingham Knight (Ruddington)
Business Area
Kitchen Manager - 500389
Brand
Pub & Grill - BRA_205
Hours
Full time
Description
As a Head Chef, you’ll make sure everything in the kitchen runs smoothly during a busy service. You’ll know how to get the best out of your team by encouraging and supporting them to work well togethe
Reference
5ecba629-b6c6-4fc1-aad2-632c0a3bf3fb
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£8.00 - £12.21
Location
Sherlock Holmes (St James's)
Business Area
Chef - 500339
Brand
Heritage - BRA_208
Hours
Part time
Description
As a Chef, your passion for all things food, and the desire to make the perfect dish every time, is what sets you apart. With a keen eye for maintaining the highest standards and thriving during a fas
Reference
737e7665-3096-4c0f-be43-f05e9845f5f8
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£12.21 - £12.50
Location
Ye Olde Mitre (Barnet)
Business Area
FOH Team Leader - 500026
Brand
Heritage - BRA_208
Hours
Full time
Description
As a Team Leader, you’ll lead by example, making sure the team have everything they need so the shift runs like clockwork! You’ll make sure the team maintain high standards and that our customers are
Reference
bf67e8f6-c108-46a9-8ff8-d9ddb36e7711
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
related posts
.jpg)
Teaser
Bar and WaitingContent Type
BlogsPublish date
08/18/2025
Summary
Summer's bringing longer days, brighter evenings, and plenty of chances to make memories. If you're looking for summer job opportunities, Greene King has pub jobs that fit all kinds of lifesty
by
Charley Young

Teaser
Bar and WaitingContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/31/2025
Summary
As a student, it’s normal to be looking for ways to earn some extra cash around your studies. With 69% of students having a part-time job, it’s just as much a part of uni life as late nights and le
by
Ellie Burrows

Teaser
ApprenticeshipsContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/31/2025
Summary
You’ve just finished school and “what next” is the big question. Apprenticeships in hospitality could be the answer you’re looking for. Last year alone, over 200,000 leavers started their apprentic
by
Kat Ross

Teaser
Head OfficeContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/31/2025
Summary
When you think of Greene King, chances are you think of that pub at the heart of your community. Somewhere you can grab an award-winning pint, tuck into some tasty food, or relax in a place where y
by
Abida Perveen

Teaser
KitchenContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/30/2025
Summary
What does a kitchen assistant do? In a kitchen assistant job at Greene King, you’ll be at the heart of our buzzing culinary crew. With over 2,700 pubs and restaurants up and down the UK, we dish up
by
Sam Stacey

Teaser
ManagementContent Type
BlogsPublish date
07/17/2025
Summary
WHAT IS A GENERAL MANAGER?General Managers in pubs and restaurants know how to build a great team! Are you ready to deliver unforgettable experiences for our customers and bring our brand to life? You
by
Charley Young
.jpg)
Teaser
KitchenContent Type
BlogsPublish date
06/25/2025
Summary
Looking to build a career that serves up satisfaction every day? At Greene King, we believe in growing our people as well our plates. If you're wondering how kitchen career progression works here, spe
by
Sam Stacey

Teaser
Bar and WaitingContent Type
BlogsPublish date
06/04/2025
Summary
The summer break is all about new experiences and taking a break from the books. 64% of students are looking for work, and with pubs hiring more young people than ever, now’s the time to look at stud
by
Kat Ross

Teaser
Bar and WaitingContent Type
BlogsPublish date
06/04/2025
Summary
So, you’ve got a pub job interview coming up. No doubt you’ll be keen to ace your interview and land the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. We get it, interview nerves are real, but don’t worry, we
by
Lucy Richardson

Teaser
Bar and WaitingContent Type
BlogsPublish date
06/04/2025
Summary
Looking to get a summer job that offers more than a bit of extra spending money? With summer jobs at Greene King, you can gain real skills and make some memories along the way. 69% of students work p
by
Rachel Lang