FOH (Front of House)
Front of House (FOH) refers to all areas and operations in venues like theaters, restaurants, or event spaces that directly interact with guests or audience members. This includes everything from the entrance and lobby to seating areas and customer service points. FOH staff are the public face of the venue, handling tasks like greeting guests, managing seating, selling tickets, and ensuring visitor comfort and satisfaction. This term is commonly used in entertainment venues, hospitality, and event management to distinguish from "Back of House" (BOH) operations that happen behind the scenes.
Examples in Resumes
Managed a team of 15 FOH staff members for large-scale corporate events
Served as Front of House Manager during Broadway production season
Coordinated FOH operations for music festivals with 10,000+ daily attendees
Typical job title: "Front of House Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Front of House Managers
Professional Associations
Job Boards
Online Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where you're understaffed during a major event?
Expected Answer: A senior FOH manager should discuss prioritizing critical positions, having an emergency staff call list, cross-training team members, and maintaining service standards while adjusting operations to match available staffing.
Q: Describe your experience with creating and managing FOH budgets.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate experience with staff scheduling, supply ordering, revenue tracking, and cost control measures while maintaining service quality.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you train new FOH staff members?
Expected Answer: Should explain their approach to teaching customer service standards, venue procedures, safety protocols, and how they ensure consistent service delivery.
Q: What systems do you use to manage customer feedback and complaints?
Expected Answer: Should discuss methods for collecting feedback, complaint resolution procedures, and how they use this information to improve service.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What does excellent customer service mean to you?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic customer service principles, problem-solving abilities, and maintaining a professional demeanor.
Q: How would you handle an upset customer?
Expected Answer: Should show knowledge of basic conflict resolution steps, staying calm under pressure, and when to escalate issues to management.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic customer service
- Cash handling
- Venue safety procedures
- Team coordination
Mid (2-5 years)
- Staff supervision
- Customer conflict resolution
- Event coordination
- Schedule management
Senior (5+ years)
- Budget management
- Team leadership
- Strategic planning
- Crisis management
Red Flags to Watch For
- Poor communication skills
- No experience handling customer complaints
- Lack of leadership experience for management positions
- No knowledge of safety and emergency procedures
- Unable to work evenings and weekends
Related Terms
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