Server applicants have rated the interview process at Darden with 2.2 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 73% positive. To compare, the company-average is 72.1% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
Candidates applying for Server roles take an average of 8 days to get hired, when considering 115 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at Darden overall takes an average of 12 days.
Common stages of the interview process at Darden as a Server according to 115 Glassdoor interviews include:
One on one interview: 41%
Personality test: 17%
Skills test: 9%
Background check: 8%
Presentation: 7%
IQ intelligence test: 6%
Phone interview: 4%
Drug test: 3%
Other: 3%
Group panel interview: 2%
Here are the most commonly searched roles for interview reports -
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Darden (Athens, GA) in Jun 2013
Interview
I worked for Longhorn Steakhouse. Hiring process took a long time. I applied in late May and finally started training in july. I had to be persistent in attempting to set up times for interviews and training dates. I had 2 different interviews. Both with different managers asking about my previous serving experience and why i want to be a server at Longhorn. Be persistent in showing your desire to work for Darden and it will work out for you. They asked behavior related questions. basically how would i respond if i was triple sat. give me an example of when you had to demonstrate service recovery. Why do you like serving?
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Hardest question: (one of Longhorn's goals is to provide clients with an "unexpected personal touch"- basically something you would do for your tables to give them an above average experience. ) With this in mind, the interviewer asked me what is an example of something i would do to give my tables an unexpected personal touch. I answered bringing them a peppermint (sort of like olive garden does) at the end of their meal. (peppermints are at the front door and free for customers!)
I applied online. The process took 2 days. I interviewed at Darden (Cutler Bay, FL)
Interview
My personal experience was positive. The first interview was with the direct manager. The second one was on the same day with the general manager. The process was very fast. The day after the interview we filled the paperwork and I started working the next day
3 step process. Online application. Interviewed by different managers. Asked a series of questions. Dress is considered. Be professional and polite. Be honest about availability also as that will come into play later.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell us about yourself
What would you do in x situation
The interviews are not too difficult. I would say that having the basic knowledge of service industry would greatly higher your chance of employment or scoring that second interview but it is not required.