Cactus Club Interview Questions

If you are looking for Cactus Club Interview Questions you have come to the right place.

We all know interviews are stressful and competition is intense.

However, with a small amount of preparation you can ace the interview.

Here we will discuss Cactus Club Job Interview Questions.

Please note we are not affiliated with Cactus Club and cannot guarantee what specific questions will be asked.

Interview Questions by Role

Cactus Club Hiring Process

One can apply in person (although it is not advised during the COVID pandemic) or online. 

Cactus Club provides applicants a video interview.  With the video interview, applicants can create an account, sign in, and perform a video interview.   After you sign in you will be given further instructions and a chance to practice before you begin. 

If selected you will be called in for an interview.  The interview will more than likely be one-on-one interviews with various groups of management interviewing you.

Cactus Club Interview Questions and Answers

1. Tell us about yourself?

  • It’s okay to talk about your hobbies and interests but keep it brief. Try and focus on related work experience. Remember having related work experience is important because it will put you ahead of the competition.

2. What can you tell us about the Cactus Club Cafe?

Companies ask this question because they don’t just want someone who has applied for 100 jobs hoping to get an interview, therefore, you need to learn as much as you can about Cactus Club Cafe.

About Cactus Club
  • Cactus Club Cafe is a chain of casual dining restaurants based out of Vancouver B.C.
  • Richard Jaffray founded the Cactus Club in 1988.
  • Cactus Club has 25 locations located in BC, Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
  • The restaurant supports Canadian farmers and partners with leading organizations such as Ocean Wise and the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef to promote continuous improvement across the food supply chain.
  • Cactus Club Cafe’s culinary vision is led by, a team of world-class chefs including Vancouver’s Rob Feenie and Toronto’s Cory Vitiello.

 

 

 

 

Popular Cactus Club Cafe Menu Items

Tip! It is in your best interest to be familiar with the menu items at Cactus Club Cafe.

Click on image for more info.

3.  Why do you want to work at Cactus Club Cafe?

First of all, make sure you sound excited when answering this question. In contrast, you do not want to sound like someone who is just looking for a job. Remember Cactus Club is a trendy restaurant where you can learn a lot about customer service and the culinary industry.

Possible Answers are

  • State you are passionate about food and say you feel Cactus Club is a great place to grow your career.
  • Mention you enjoy the product and the service you get at Cactus Club Cafe and because of this, you would be proud to work for them.
  • State you would like a job that keeps you active.
  • Say you enjoy the challenge of working under pressure.
  • Finally, state you feel you have excellent communication skills which will allow you to work well in a team and with customers (if required to work with customers)




4. What hours can you work?

  • Try and be flexible when answering this question. The more flexible you are with your hours, the better chance you will have at landing the job.
  • State you understand if you need to work weekends and holidays. 

5. What motivates you?

Do Say

  • Meeting deadlines, targets or goals
  • Mentoring and coaching others
  • Learning new things
  • Coming up with creative ideas to improve something, or make something new
  • Working well as part of a team
  • Spotting flaws and errors so as to make sure the end result of a project is as good as possible
  • Finding a way to solve a problem, or overcome a challenge

Don’t Say 

  • Money 
  • Employee Discounts

6. What is your greatest strength?

  • The best way to respond to this question is to describe the skills and experience that you have which directly correlate with the job you are applying for. Therefore review the job description and reassure the interviewer that you have the experience and skills to do the job.

7. What is your greatest weakness? 

Don’t Say

  • You don’t have a weakness.
  • You can’t think of a weakness.
  • Something unrelated to the job.
  • Do not state a weakness that is critical for the job.

Do Say

  • Something related to the job.
  • Steps to improve your weakness.
Example

My greatest weakness is I don’t take criticism well.  However, I have learned not to overreact and think about what was said.  I have found that I have become a better employee when I learn from feedback.

8. Why is their a gap in your resume?

  • Honesty is the best approach when answering this question.  Being honest about your situation gives the employer a sense of integrity and confidence.

9. What did you like about your current or last job?

  • Unfortunately, this can be a trick question as they may be looking for things you didn’t like in your last job.
  • The best answer is to say that you enjoyed everything about your last job, however, you feel that you have learned all you can in that role and are now looking for new challenges.
Richard Jaffray - Cactus Club Cafe Founder
In 1988, at the age of 23, Richard Jaffray opened the first Cactus Club Cafe in North Vancouver, British Columbia. The goal was to offer a fun, upscale restaurant where you would be welcomed with great food and friendly service in a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere.

10. Why did you leave your last job?

Interviewers ask this question for the following reasons

  • Did you leave for a good reason?
  • Did you leave voluntarily?
  • Did you leave on good terms?
  • What are your work values?
Example

“I enjoyed my last job, however, I felt growth was minimal and I was no longer learning. I want to explore new challenges”.

11. Who are Cactus Club’s Competitors?

12. Do you have any questions for us? 

Tip! Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the interview. Asking questions is important because it builds rapport between you and the interviewer.

 

  • What do you like best about working here?
  • How would you describe your ideal candidate for this position?
  • If I were to start tomorrow what would be my top priority be?
  • What is the history of this position?
  • What about this position is the most important?
  • How would you measure my success, and what could I do to succeed in your expectations?
  • Which part of the position has the steepest learning curve? What can I do to get up to speed quickly?
  • What opportunities will I have to learn and grow?



Server Interview Questions

The next section is Cactus Club Interview Questions for servers.  Please note it is recommended to see the general interview questions above.

 

Tell us about your previous work experience?

  • Remember to talk about related work experience because related work experience will put you ahead of the competition.
  • Talk about any experience you have working with customers, serving food and drinks, using a point of sale system, and finally setting and busing tables.

Why should we hire you? 

  • Mention you have excellent communication skills and will always greet the customer in a friendly manner.
  • State you work well under pressure which will allow you to serve guests in a kind and courteous manner.
  • Finally, mention you are a quick learner and will learn the point of sale system and menu items quickly.

How would you deal with an upset customer?

  1. Listen and let the customer vent.
  2. Show the customer you care.
  3. Don't blame the customer or the company.
  4. Try to solve the problem or find someone who can.
  5. Don't make promises you can't keep.
  6. Finally, it is important not to take it personally.  If you get upset you will take it on future customers.

Questions to ask on a server interview

  • What type of promotion can top-performing servers receive?
  • What are some traits of great servers you have worked with in the past?

Hostess Interview Questions

The next section is Cactus Club Interview Questions for a hostess.  Please note it is recommended to see the general interview questions above.

 

Tell us about your previous work experience?

  • They want to know how your related work experience matches the experience required to be a hostess. So, if you have any experience working in a restaurant, working with customers, or cleaning say that first.
  • Don’t worry if this is your first job and you do not have much work experience, as restaurants often hire first-time employees. Let the interviewer know that you have been focusing on school, and now you are ready to prove yourself in the workforce.

 

Why should we hire you?

  • Be straightforward and confident about your abilities. 
  • Highlight the reasons why you are the right candidate.
  • Be enthusiastic about why you want this job. 
  • Confirm your ability to work hard.

Why do you want to be a hostess?

  • Say you enjoy meeting new people and will work well with customers so you feel like you would be a good fit as a host/hostess.

In your opinion what makes a great hostess?

  • The door is held open when the customer arrives.
  • They are greeted in a friendly manner.
  • They are not waiting long for a table. If they are waiting because it is busy, they are told how much longer a wait.
  • All guest needs are accommodated for any special needs such as boosters, high chairs, disabilities.

Why should we hire you?

  • Say you have excellent communication skills which will make the customer feel welcomed.
  • Mention you have strong organizational skills and will not have an issue maintaining the overall guest flow of the restaurant.
  • State you pay great attention to detail and will always make sure your section is clean and organized at all times.
  • Finally, say you are a team player and will always assist the server when needed.

 

How would you deal with guests that are tired of waiting?

  • If it was okay with the manager, I would offer a free sample of an appetizer.
  • I would assure their table is coming and try and give them an accurate estimate of their wait time.

Do you have any questions for us?

  • What are the characteristics of top-performing host/hostesses?

Please note we cannot guarantee questions asked on the interview as we are not affiliated with the company mentioned in this post. These practice questions are designed to increase confidence. Worknearyou.ca takes no responsibility for the success or failure of your interview.