IHG hiring usually follows four steps: an online application, a phone screen, an interview with the department manager, and a conditional offer with background checks. At franchised hotels, which include many IHG hotels, the hotel's owner or management company runs those steps, so details differ from hotel to hotel. Steps also vary by role, location, country and team.
IHG Hotels & Resorts runs brands such as Holiday Inn and InterContinental. For other hospitality employers, see our hotel, cruise and theme park interview guide.
The IHG Hotels & Resorts interview process
- Apply on IHG's careers site for IHG-managed hotels, or on the owner's site or a job board for franchised hotels.
- Phone or video screen with HR or the hiring manager.
- In-person interview with the department manager.
- Second interview with the general manager for some roles.
- Conditional offer, checks and orientation.
Franchised versus managed hotels
This is the most important thing to understand about IHG jobs. At an IHG-managed hotel, hiring usually runs through IHG's own careers site. At a franchised hotel, the owner or a management company is the employer, and it sets its own hiring steps, pay and schedules while following IHG's brand standards for guests.
The posting names the employer. If it is a management company, look it up too, because you may be asked why you want to work for them as well as the brand. Common openings include front desk agents, guest relations, night auditors, housekeeping and maintenance.
IHG interview stages and how to prepare
| Stage | What is assessed | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | Schedule, communication, interest in the hotel | Know which brand and which hotel you applied to |
| Manager interview | Guest service, problem solving, teamwork | Stories about a complaint and a busy check-in |
| Night audit questions, if relevant | Comfort with numbers, working alone overnight | Explain how you double-check figures |
| General manager interview | Judgment, attitude, long-term interest | Say where you want to grow in hotels |
| Offer stage | Background and documents | Prepare ID and work authorization |
IHG interview questions and sample answers
Questions candidates often report include why this hotel, handling an overbooking, working alone on a night shift, and serving several guests at once. Sample answers:
“The hotel is overbooked and you have to tell a guest there is no room.” “I'd speak to them privately and calmly, apologize without blaming anyone, and explain what we've already arranged, such as a room at a nearby hotel. I'd make sure they leave with the details written down and my name. Then I'd follow my manager's guidance on how we make it up to them.”
“Have you worked alone on nights?” “Yes, I worked overnight security at an apartment building for a year. I like the quiet, but I stay alert: I keep a checklist, walk the lobby every hour and write down anything unusual. For a night audit role, I'd bring the same habits and double-check every figure before I close the day.”
“Why do you want to work at this Holiday Inn?” “It's close to home, so I can be reliable on early and late shifts, and it's busy with families and business travelers, so I'd learn fast. A friend who works in housekeeping here says the team helps each other. I'd like to start at the front desk and learn every part of the hotel.”
Your IHG prep week
Day 1. Identify the employer on the posting, IHG or a management company, and read about both.
Day 2. Learn who the hotel serves: business travelers, families or luxury guests.
Day 3. Prepare stories on a complaint, a rush and teamwork. Our front desk interview questions are good practice prompts.
Day 4. Role-play the overbooking conversation out loud.
Day 5. Confirm your availability, including nights if the role needs it.
Day 6. Full practice interview, recorded.
Day 7. Plan your route, outfit and two questions, such as how new team members are trained.
Practicing with CoPilot Interview
Most IHG hotel interviews happen in person, so use our tools to prepare. AI mock interviews take your resume and the posting, read each question aloud and score your spoken answer out of 10, with what worked, what to improve and a model answer. They are free, and the free plan includes 15 minutes of live help every day.
Our AI interview assistant can help during a video screen only where that is allowed, so follow your employer's rules. Disclosure: CoPilot Interview is our product, so weigh what we say about it accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
Who hires at a franchised Holiday Inn?
Usually the hotel's owner or the management company it uses, not IHG itself. That employer runs the interview, sets pay and schedules, and follows IHG brand standards for guest service. The job posting names the employer, so research that company before your interview.
How long does the IHG hiring process take?
It depends on the hotel. Busy hotels hiring hourly staff can move from application to offer within days, while corporate and leadership roles take longer. Background checks and orientation dates add time. Ask the person who schedules your interview what the next step is.
What questions do IHG hotels ask front desk agents?
Common ones include why this hotel, handling an overbooking or upset guest, checking in several guests at once, cash and computer accuracy, and your shift availability. Prepare short real stories and practice the overbooking conversation out loud before the interview.
What brands are part of IHG Hotels & Resorts?
IHG brands include Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites, among others. Check IHG's own site for the current list, since brands are added over time.
Rehearse the overbooking conversation
Practice hotel interview answers out loud and get a model answer for each.
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