GE2301

Name: Ma. Gwyneth N. Quinto Date: October 5, 2024

Section: BSHM 4 Instructor: Ms. Kristine Evangelista

Questions and Answers

Directions: It is impossible to predict exactly what will be asked in an interview, but there are a few answers that you can prepare ahead of
time. Use this chart to practice your answers to these questions. (40 points)

Question Example Your Answer

“Tell me about yourself.” (Interviewing for an entry-level position in a My name is Ma. Gwyneth Quinto. I recently
• 1-2 minutes spoken non-profit organization) graduated with a Bachelor's degree in
• Your background: academic, work Hospitality Management from STI Collee
experience, extracurriculars—as they My name is Jennifer Smith. I graduated from Dagupan. The reason why I pursue a degree of
pertain to the job ABC University with a degree in women’s Hospitality Management is my desire to
• Why you are there and what you can studies. I started at ABC with a major in create memorable experiences for others and
bring to the job. biology, thinking I would pursue a career in my passion for service excellence. Throughout
• Your personal brand environmental protection. But then, two my studies, I gained a solid foundation in
things happened. First, I realized that I was customer service principles, communication
more interested in environmental policy skills, and operational procedures essential for
rather than the scientific aspect. Then I took the hospitality industry. My on the job training
an elective in women’s rights, and a light went included practical training in front office
on for me. I had always supported women’s management, where I learned to handle guest
rights and was amazed that it continues to be inquiries, manage reservations, and resolve
an issue currently. Since then, I have been able conflicts efficiently. Additionally, I completed
to volunteer and work on behalf of women’s an internship at Hilton Hotel , where I further
rights, both for abused and homeless women. developed my skills in managing front desk
I am here today because I believe my operations and providing exceptional service
demonstrated passion for women’s rights and to guests. I believe that my academic and
my experience in non-profit organizations will practical experience has equipped me with
benefit your organization. the necessary tools to excel as a front desk
clerk. I am eager to bring these qualities to
your team and contribute to an exceptional
guest experience.

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Can you tell me a little about your strengths “My interpersonal skills probably top the chart I believe that my adaptability, positive
and weaknesses? of my strengths. I thrive on approaching attitude and interpersonal skills probably top
• Identify 3 strengths—as they pertain people I don’t know and quickly establishing the chart of my strength. I have refined my
to this job. rapport. I can think on my feet, and I manage communication skills through various group
• Identify one weakness and how you stress well. One area that challenges me is of projects and presentations during my studies,
manage it. delegating. It’s hard for me to delegate to which enable me to interact professionally
other people, whether it be a team project for with guests and colleagues alike. One
school or on the baseball field. I know this is a weakness I have identified is my tendency to
problem, so I have trained myself to list the be overly detail-oriented. While this trait can
things I must do myself and those that can be be beneficial in ensuring accuracy, it
passed on. It’s still not easy for me, but I have sometimes leads to spending more time on
found that I get more done when I consciously tasks than necessary. To manage this, I have
make that determination, and the quality is implemented a prioritization system that
better.” helps me focus on the most critical aspects of
my responsibilities while setting time limits for
each task. This approach allows me to
maintain quality without sacrificing efficiency,
which is essential in a fast-paced environment
like a front desk.
Where do you want to be in 5 years? “Simply put, my ideal job at this stage in my I see myself eventually developing into a
• A dreaded question but frequently career is one in which I can learn the products leader in managing a hotel. To get there, I
asked. and industry and I can contribute to your hope to learn even more about strong
• Be honest but keep in mind that most success. Eventually, I’d like a job that gives me leadership abilities, excellent communication
entry-level positions don’t provide control over my day, but I know I am not in skills, and effective problem-solving
much autonomy. that position right now, and it will take some capabilities along the way. I fully acknowledge
time to get there.” that reaching that particular destination will
require a considerable investment of both
time and experience.
Can you tell me about your leadership “I oversaw the committee that was asked to During a recent kitchen laboratory session this
experience? revise our school’s vision as they were midterm, we encountered a significant issue
• Direct leadership – in a student transitioning to a co-ed school. There were when one of our key ingredients was not
organization some issues because not all the faculty agreed available in the market which is the avocado
• Indirect leadership – although not with the transition, and we had to get their just before we were set to begin our cooking
specifically designated a leader, buy-in within a tight time frame. demonstrations. This situation created a

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maybe you assumed leadership in a potential setback for the entire team, as it
certain situation—a class project, I quickly realized that I had to include my could have disrupted our schedule and
working with a group to plan an event, advisor in each step we took and each meeting affected the quality of our presentations.
a recognized leader. we held to communicate the changes. We
Use the mnemonic STAR to provide a were able to come to an agreement and meet I organized an immediate team meeting to
framework for your answers: the deadline. I learned the importance of discuss alternative ingredients and methods
✓ Describe the situation or problem ongoing communication.” that could be used as substitutes. some
clearly researched possible substitutions while others
✓ Describe the task about the situation began adjusting the recipes. We collaborated
✓ Describe the actions you took effectively and managed to create a new plan
✓ Describe the result and reflect on the that allowed us to continue with the
experience honestly demonstrations without compromising the
quality of our work. I learned in this
experience the importance of adaptability and
teamwork in problem-solving.
Tell me about a time when you were asked to “When I started my summer internship at XYZ During my internship as a front desk clerk at
complete a task but didn’t have the Online Marketing, I quickly realized that it was Hilton Hotel, I was tasked with managing a
information you needed. What did you do? a small organization which meant that I was sudden influx of guests due to a local event.
✓ They are trying to assess your ability left to my own devices. I had to figure things This required me to check in guests quickly
to self-manage out on my own. There was one instance when and efficiently while ensuring all their needs
✓ Use the mnemonic STAR to provide a I had to rely on myself to get the job done. The were met.
framework for your answers. salespeople were at an off-site conference.
One particular challenge arose when I was
When the sales manager called in to get the asked to assist a guest with a specific request
latest sales figures, I realized I didn’t know regarding room amenities that I was not
how to use that system. familiar with, as the hotel had recently
updated its offerings. Recognizing my lack of
I knew I could access our prospective client information, I immediately approached my
database, but I didn’t know if that would give supervisor for guidance. I also took the
me access to the sales figures. After initiative to consult the hotel’s internal
manipulating the data, I could access, I was database and documentation to familiarize
able to call him back to give him the myself with the updated amenities.
information he wanted.”

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While waiting for my supervisor, I

communicated with the guest to assure them
that I was working on their request and would
provide an update shortly.By proactively
seeking assistance and utilizing available
resources, I was able to fulfill the guest's
request efficiently. The guest expressed
satisfaction with the prompt service, and my
supervisor appreciated my resourcefulness in
handling the situation. This experience
enhanced my ability to self-manage and
reinforced the importance of effective
communication under pressure.
Tell me about a time when you failed. “When I was a freshman, I had a great campus In my junior year, I was part of a team project
✓ They are trying to see how you would job, probably one of the best. Unfortunately, I for a key course that required collaboration
handle it when a mistake is made on didn’t take it seriously. I showed up late, was and effective communication among group
the job. not properly dressed, and probably showed members. Our objective was to develop a
✓ Use the mnemonic STAR to provide a some attitude. What a shock when I wasn’t comprehensive presentation that showcased
framework for your answers. hired back the next year. It forced me to take our research findings.
a good, hard look at myself and where I was
headed. I made the conscious decision to turnI took on a leadership role but failed to
my grades and attitude around. I soon delegate tasks effectively, assuming too much
discovered that it felt good to do good, and responsibility myself. As a result, we fell
everything was on the upswing from there. I behind schedule and were unprepared for the
was young but was able to turn myself final presentation. We received a lower grade
around.” than anticipated, which was disappointing.
However, this failure prompted me to reflect
on my leadership style and the importance of
teamwork. I learned to trust my peers,
communicate openly, and distribute
responsibilities more equitably in future group
projects.
Why should I hire you over the next person? “You mentioned that the most important skill I believe my strong interpersonal skills and
you are looking for is the ability to attention to detail make me an ideal fit for the

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✓ Opportunity to remind them why you communicate with diverse groups of people, Front Desk Clerk position. I thrive in fast-paced
are unique and the best person for the solve problems as well as developed business environments and enjoy interacting with
job. acumen. My experience at the admissions diverse guests, ensuring they feel welcomed
✓ Sell yourself again. office required that I field answers quickly to and valued.
✓ Be sure to relate your qualities to the prospective students, parents, and
position you are interviewing for! administrators. As a fresh graduate, I bring a unique
combination of enthusiasm, adaptability, and
When the admissions requirements were a strong commitment to customer service that
changed, I was on the committee to sets me apart from other candidates. My
communicate the new requirements to new academic background in hospitality
and existing students so that it was management has equipped me with essential
understandable and accepted with a skills such as effective communication,
minimum of problems. This has enabled me to problem-solving, and multitasking, which are
work with diverse groups of people as well as crucial for a Front Desk Clerk role. My
solve their problems. Finally, my internship at internship experience in a busy hotel
XYZ taught me how a business is run. The nuts environment has honed my ability to handle
and bolts of profit, revenue as well as guest inquiries and resolve issues promptly
expenses. As soon as I start here, I will do my while maintaining a positive attitude. I am
best to complete the reports and analysis on eager to apply my knowledge and passion for
time and in such a way as to make them as hospitality to contribute to your hotel's
user-friendly and informative as possible.” success and enhance the guest experience.

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Use the rubric below for scoring.

Criteria 4 3 2 1
The interview script The interview script The interview script The interview script The interview script
presents the answers to presents an excellent presents the answers to presents the answers to presents the answers to
all the questions in the record of the answers to all the questions in the more than half of the less than half of the
instructions. (x5) all the questions in the instructions. questions in the questions in the
instructions. instructions. instructions.
The interview script The interview script The interview script The interview script The interview script
shows at least three shows at least three shows at least three shows at least two shows no additional
pieces of additional especially insightful pieces pieces of additional additional pieces of information compared to
information compared to of information compared information compared to information compared to the given examples.
the given examples. (x4) to the given examples. the given examples. the given examples.
The assignment uses The assignment has no The assignment has one The assignment has two The assignment has more
proper grammar and grammar or spelling grammar or spelling error. grammar or spelling than two grammar or
spelling. (x1) errors errors spelling errors

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