By 2019, there will be an additional 2.2 million restaurant jobs in the United States, according to the National Restaurant Association. Knowing what skills are in demand, an attractive resume and what to expect during the interview process, will help you stand out. Heed these tips:

Remember that when you drop off a resumé or application, or call regarding a job opening, employees of the company are forming an impression of you. Always be polite and friendly. If you visit the company, dress appropriately and pay attention to your grooming. The person with whom you speak may pass along her or his impressions of you to the person doing the hiring.

So how do you convey your qualification and enthusiasm for the job? Here are some tips to help you:

Be prepared

The most important first step is to prepare yourself for the interview. Of course that entails knowing how long it takes you to get to the location so you show up on time. But more importantly, before that, you should have done your research. Make sure you read the job ad carefully. Oftentimes, employers list the types of skills and personality traits they look for in a job.

Before going to an interview, you should make sure that you have prepared carefully. You should research the company so that you know what the company sells and how your skills might fit their needs. When applying for a position as a cook, you might visit the restaurant, study the menu, and perhaps even order and eat a meal. Take a good look around. What does the restaurant look like? What is the general ambiance and tone? Do the staff appear to get along well? Do staff members work as a team? Is this a place where you would like to work? Do you feel that you would fit in? Doing your homework about the potential employer makes you look interested in the job and committed to the new employer.

Manage your body language

Body language is crucial during job interviews, because it tells the interviewer a lot about you. If you tend to get a little nervous for interviews, that’s okay. There are a few tricks that can help you seem more confident and positive. Smile when you introduce yourself, and keep a friendly tone throughout the interview. Sit up straight. Leaning back can make you come across as bored or uninterested. Avoid crossing your arms to keep an open posture. Make eye contact when speaking to put more confidence in your words. If you keep your posture open, positive and confident, then that tells the restaurant manager you’ll be the same on the floor. This can be key to getting the job.

Provide proof for your strongest skills

Your answer should stress how your skills and experience benefit the company and help meet the company’s goals. If you are being hired to address a specific problem, explain how you have handled similar situations in the past. If you’ve got experience in the restaurant industry, you probably know where you excel. Those are the skills you want to get across to your interviewer, and this is what your interviewer wants to know about. But everyone can claim they’re good at something. You will be able to set yourself apart from other applicants through the examples you use to back up your claims.

You don’t have to go over the top. Just share some tangible examples. Stories are also a really good way to convey personality, which will help you stand out from other applicants. 

Asking some questions yourself in the interview demonstrates that you have confidence in your abilities and that you are genuinely interested in the job and in the company.

Leave on a positive note

After you’ve asked the interviewer your own questions, make sure you wrap up the interview on a positive note. Even if you aren’t feeling 100% confident you’ll get the job at the end of the interview, keep a bright spirit. You want to convey enthusiasm for the job and an eagerness to get started with it.

Sincerely thank the interviewer for the opportunity to meet with you. Let the interviewer know you’re available for any more questions. You can ask about the decision deadline here too if you want.

When planning responses, be positive. Indicate how you have learned from experience, what benefits you have gained, and how this learning benefits the employer. Be honest and sincere. Some employers may ask about your leisure activities. Often these employers are looking for someone who is well rounded and contributes to the community.

Leave radiating positivity, and don’t be too anxious. You probably did fine. At the end of the day, nobody expects you to be perfect.

Anna is a swiss army knife marketing genius: sharp, versatile, able to get the job done. Her multi-functional skillset includes website UI, social media, email marketing, and yes, blogging. Anna has a knack for sharing relevant info that website visitors want to know and gets right to the point in sharing that info. In her free time, Anna is on her Peloton giving out high fives or whipping up the latest confection in the kitchen. Find her on all the socials and say Hi.

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