Hillstone Restaurant Group General Intern Interview Questions
& Process

I applied through my university. The first interview was basically a phone call from HR asking if I had 15 minutes to chat, which turned into the first round. They asked basic questions about my major and why I was interested in the position. Then, there was a scheduled Skype interview with the same HR person, focusing on more behavioral questions. After that, I had another Skype interview with a different HR person who was really thorough, asking for multiple examples of how my friends would describe me, what kind of boss I'd like, and if I had any hesitations about the internship. Following that, the initial HR person called again to check in about the second Skype interview, asking how I felt it went and about any hesitations. This call led to an offer for a RJP (real job preview) in Atlanta. Then there was a background check and lots of paperwork. The RJP itself was a LONG day, starting with a timed aptitude test, followed by a tour, working in the bakery and main kitchen, tasting food, training with a server, observing the manager and main cook. This part took over 7 hours, so wear good shoes. It ended with a short 15-minute interview with HR. After all of this, I was told I wasn't a good fit. I'm not sure why it took so many steps to figure that out, and the RJP didn't really use my skills, I was just shadowing. Better communication about expectations for that day would have been helpful; I felt like my time was wasted and I was judged unfairly.

I had one interview on campus and then another one over the phone. Both went really well, and I felt like the process was super fair and they were really upfront about what the internship is actually like. I didn't end up getting the job, but I appreciated how transparent they were.

Hillstone provided a really positive interview experience. They seem to have a clear idea of the type of candidate they're seeking and ask relevant questions. It's definitely a more challenging interview process compared to other companies, but that's likely because they offer a very competitive salary.