Research Korner: Sample Answers to an Interview

Introduction to Food and Beverage Operation

Introduction to Food and Beverage Operation   Information Interview             An information interview is an appointment that you schedule with a particular individual for gaining current, regional and/or specialized information from an “insider” point of view. Information Interviews are useful in acquiring valuable information for job hunting and career planning. It can also give information about a particular organization and identify the problems or needs of the employer.   Information Interview with Nora Daza             Nora Daza is a culinary expert in the Philippines. Nora Daza is not just a kitchen guru but also a larger-than-life culinary icon. From her cookbooks, restaurants and cooking show, Daza has enlightened Filipinos and foreigners alike about the world of gastronomic pleasures. Her books are considered as household staples and regarded as kitchen bibles by those who want to improve their cooking skills and produce amazing dishes.   Questions: 1. How did you get started in the food and beverage field?             There is pleasure in giving good food to people. That started it all for me. My incentive was the appreciation I got whenever I cooked for people. That was, and still is, a big high for me. Unlike some who just smell the food they are cooking, I make it a point to taste the food. It’s my palate that really helps me.             2. What was your education and how did you prepare for your management career?             I took up a Home economics course at the University of the Philippines. After that, I got married and had kids. But I wanted the chance to earn my own income. My first job was as a sales agent selling ads to big companies. Later on, I learned that cooking could be rewarding because it made people happy. I earned a Master of Science in Restaurant and Institution management from Cornell University in New York and headed the Manila Gas Cooking School.   3. What are the daily duties and nature of your job?             I have a hectic schedule. I run restaurants in Paris, New York and the Philippines. I also write a number of cookbooks and even host my own cooking show “Cooking it up with Nora Daza”.   4. What are the toughest problems you deal with?             For me the toughest problem I deal with is juggling all my jobs as a restaurateur, writer and TV host. When I opened my restaurants abroad, it was challenging at first to introduce Filipino cuisine to the French and American markets.    5. How did you start your career as a Restaurateur?             I opened the first restaurant in Manila in 1965. It was called Au Bon Vivant. This place became famous and made French fare such as onion soup, chateaubriand and almond mousse popular among the Manila crowd. The success of Au Bon Vivant led to the opening of two more branches in Metro Manila.   6. How did your restaurants became successful abroad?             When I opened restaurants abroad, it definitely put Filipino dishes on the map. I opened Aux lles Philippines (In the Philippine Islands) in 1972 in Paris. It became one of the favorite dining spots of France’s crème de la crème. It was among the top three Asian restaurants in Paris and was given high rating of three forks in the French guides Gault-Millau and guide Michelin. I introduced many Filipino delicacies and dishes and it became widely accepted. I also opened a restaurant in New York in 1974. Maharlika restaurant was included in the top 37 restaurants in Myra Waldo’s Restaurant Guide to New York City and Vicinity and was awarded four crowns by Pan America. I also became a partner of Mai Thai, a restaurant that offered the best of Thai cuisine.   7. What do you find most rewarding about this work?             What I find most rewarding about my job as a restaurateur and restaurant manager is being able to put Filipino dishes on the map and being able to help people who want to improve their cooking skills. I also find it rewarding to encourage and train my restaurant staff.   8. What is your long-term goal?             My long-term goal is to bring Philippine dishes to the international scene and prove that Filipino food could be at par with other foreign cuisines.   9. Since you have managed various restaurants, what do you think are the characteristics of an aspiring applicant for managerial position?             An aspiring applicant must have extensive knowledge on restaurant operations. He or she must have excellent leadership, management, organization, training/coaching, motivation and communication skills.   10. What are the responsibilities of a Restaurant Manager?             A restaurant manager oversees the daily operations of the restaurant. He or she coordinates activities among various departments, such as the kitchen, the dining room, the bar and the administrative and accounting area. He or she is also responsible for ensuring guest satisfaction with their dining experience. The restaurant manager is also responsible for all of the administrative and human-resource functions of running the business. This includes employee training and performance monitoring.

Introduction to Food and Beverage Operation

Introduction to Food and Beverage Operation Information Interview An information interview is an appointment that you...

INTERVIEW PROTOCOL

INTERVIEW PROTOCOL I   Gender:       M                 Age: 25   Education:   Tertiary   Nationality: Chinese   Tenure in Industry: 6 years   Tenure at current organisation: 5 years   Position: Problem Manager         Previous Position: Environment Management coordinator     1. Turnover Intentions   a.    Think about your previous job.        What led to you thinking about leaving?       Can you give us a detailed run down on what happened from then onward?   l  The reason as to why I left my previous job was due to the fact that I was bored; the work did not excite and challenge me, there was no chance of a promotion within the team, I was not learning anything new, there was no team cohesion, there was no management support or guidance and because of all this, I felt as though if staying in this position any longer that I would fall behind in the skill level of other IT professionals in which would affect my chances of getting a job elsewhere. Please note that my previous job was not by choice but as permanent secondment. l  After I had decided to leave, I was actively looking for other positions that was: 1)                        in the field of IT that I wished to pursue 2)                        it was a promotion l  I applied for several IT positions and was a successful candidate for 3 out of the 4 positions that I applied for. b.    How many jobs have you left for the same reasons?   l  None, I only left the above job on those reasons or those similar to   c.    Have you left any other jobs for reasons that are different from what you just described? l  No   d.   If not in a previous job - Why are you here with this organisation? What made you stay?     e.  Have you been offered jobs in other organisations when already employed? l  Yes, I have been offered several in private industry as well as other public departments.     f.    If yes, what made you stay? (In addition to responses to question d.)  What would it take for you to leave the company?   l  The main reason for why I stayed in my job is because I enjoy it, where as the jobs that were offered to me was different to what I was doing. As most of those jobs were as an application developer or business analyst and that is not the field of work that I want to work in currently.   l  For me to leave the department that I am currently with will mean that the new position is: 1)                        It will in the field that I want to work in which will enable me to further progress my career and knowledge. 2)                        a promotion 3)                        higher pay 4)                        stable work environment                           Factors   1. Please rate each of the following factors in terms of how important it is in deciding to leave a job:   Not at all important     1     2     3     4     5    Extremely important Rank 1 career opportunities 4   workteam cohesion 3 2 challenging work 4   recognition of achievements 3   pay 4   work hours (flexibility, length) 2 3 management support 4   quality of supervision 2   2. Now, please take a moment to pick out the three most important factors, and rank them in their order of importance in the first column of the table.   Optional - Your annual salary:   k) 66,000-70,000  INTERVIEW PROTOCOL I   Gender: M             Age: 35   Education: High School   Nationality: Australian   Tenure in Industry: 6 years        Tenure at current organisation: 1 year   Position: Technician        Previous Position:  Technician       1. Turnover Intentions   a.       Think about your previous job.           What led to you thinking about leaving?         Can you give us a detailed run down on what happened from then onward?   l  The job did not challenge me anymore and I wanted a change so I moved cities. I applied for many jobs but did not get many interviews due to my lack of paper qualifications. It took about 3 weeks to find a job, originally it was for a sales position but once they heard about my technical experience I was shown the technical department, they allowed me to do my current job.     b.                How many jobs have you left for the same reasons?   l  None     c.     Have you left any other jobs for reasons that are different from what you just described?   l  Most jobs I have left due to moving. But I am a family orientated man. If it were best for my relationship I will and have moved for its benefit.   d.    If not in a previous job - Why are you here with this organisation? What made you stay?   l  It is because the salary is better than my previous job. This is the only reason.   g.     Have you been offered jobs in other organisations when already employed? l  No. h.    If yes, what made you stay? (In addition to responses to question d.)  What would it take for you to leave the company? l  Lack of faith in my own abilities, I don’t want to leave my comfort zone and worry of the impact a new job would have on my social life. If I were offered decent money and a training course to induct me to a new job, I would take it.      Factors   1. Please rate each of the following factors in terms of how important it is in deciding to leave a job:   Not at all important     1     2     3     4     5    Extremely important Rank 1 career opportunities 5   workteam cohesion 3   challenging work 3   recognition of achievements 3 2 pay 5 3 work hours (flexibility, length) 4   management support 3   quality of supervision 2   2. Now, please take a moment to pick out the three most important factors, and rank them in their order of importance in the first column of the table.   Optional - Your annual salary:   d) 31,000-35,000

INTERVIEW PROTOCOL

INTERVIEW PROTOCOL I Gender: M Age: 25 Education: Tertiary Nationality: Chinese Tenure...

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