Outback Steakhouse Host / Hostess Job Description & Interview
Job Description and Duties
What Does a Outback Steakhouse Hostess Do?
Hosts and hostesses at Outback Steakhouse greet customers, take reservations, and direct guests to tables. Other key duties include answering phones and providing guest assistance. Hosts and hostesses may also need to maintain a cleanly restaurant appearance and assist in opening and closing duties.
Knowledge, Personality, and Other Qualifications
Outback Steakhouse hosts should possess knowledge of Outback menu items, daily specials, and company promotions. The minimum age requirement for an Outback host job rests at 16 years old. Anyone seeking an Outback Steakhouse job should display an upbeat, energetic personality. Outback also look for workers with physical capabilities to stand for an entire shift.
Salary and Compensation
How Much Do They Get Paid?
Outback Steakhouse rewards its employees with competitive pay and work benefits. Starting pay for Outback hosts typically begins at minimum wage. Salary rates tend to increase with experience, and the average Outback host earns between $10.00 and $12.00 an hour. Experienced hosts may earn over $14.00 per hour.
Additional Job Benefits Offered
Hosts and hostesses may earn generous job benefits, such as discounts on meals and flexible work scheduling. Eligible restaurant workers gain access to healthcare coverage, paid time off, 401(k) retirement plans, and life insurance options.
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Outback Steakhouse Hostess Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Outback Steakhouse Hostess: My job title was a hostess, and my primary duties were opening the doors for guests, greeting guests at the hostess stand, walking them to their tables. We had a computer system, so it was marking tables off at the computer system. And we also wrapped silverware.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Outback Steakhouse Hostess: the work environment was very fast-paced on the weekends. During the week, it could be slow, especially around dinner time, so I would say fast-paced for the most part.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Outback Steakhouse Hostess: My favorite part about working there would be getting to know customers and getting to talk to customers, because a lot of regulars came in so you got to learn their names, they know your name. It’s very nice getting to connect with them.
Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
Outback Steakhouse Hostess: Typical day would be to come in, walk in the kitchen, clock in on the computer, go to the hostess stand, and most of the time if it’s not busy, you’re standing at the door waiting for customers to come in. But if it was a Saturday or a Friday, basically we would be on a wait every time I came in, so I would start running the board, checking the tables to see if they’re clean, and start seating.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Outback Steakhouse Hostess: The application… all you had to do, I went into Outback in the morning, because they didn’t open until two. So, you go in, you fill out an application, you had to take a math test, as well, even though I wasn’t going to be a server, you still had to take a math test and personality test. Then, a week later they called me back in for an interview, and I actually started the next day. You actually trained for four days, then you’re off training, you can get tips, regular tips.
Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
Outback Steakhouse Hostess: I think what set me apart, because I was only 15 when I started there. I stopped working there when I was 19. I think that even though I was so young, I was really mature and friendly, and it seemed like I had a good personality and would be a dependable worker.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Outback Steakhouse Hostess: I would say be able to make sure you can work in a fast-paced environment, and be efficient, because you have to walk fast around a restaurant, you can’t be slow because servers are trying to get through. So, make sure you’re able to function in a fast-paced environment and you like people.
Outback Steakhouse Host Interview Video 2
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Outback Hostess: My job title was a hostess, and my primary duties were opening doors for guests, seating guests, making sure the silverware was polished and rolled each night. The hostess would also work the board, which is like the seating chart for the guests when we were on waits on the weekends, or weeknights after like 8pm.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Outback Hostess: I got hired because I just randomly walked in one day and asked if they were hiring. They told me yes, and they gave me an application right there. I filled it out, they called me two days later. I had to take a math test, just because they require our position to take that, especially for servers. I took a little test, then later I had to come in again for a final interview, and then they told me I was hired right after that.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Outback Hostess: They asked if I’ve ever been in the food business or restaurant business before. They asked about my personality a lot. Like if I was outgoing, quite, reserved, stuff like that. They asked education levels. Did I have reliable transportation to work, and stuff like that.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Outback Hostess: I would tell them to just make sure, basically just be yourself and make sure you’re a fun person and are ready to work in a fast-paced environment, because if you’re shy, or you’re not really quick, you don’t like to work well under pressure, then it may not be for you, because it’s a lot of running around, and its fast-paced. Very fast paced. I would just tell them be bubbly, outgoing, and ready to work hard.
Christina says:
Hi, the interview video was great, but I noticed that y’all put the hourly salary was $10-14an hour for hosts? At my restaurant we earned a whopping $2.14 per hour plus tip share!! You would leave with $20-80 in tips a night depending on the hours you worked, how busy it was, and how many hosts there were to split the tip share with. Sorry but you can’t really make a living by being a host, you’ll need a 2nd job to pay the bills.