A food service worker is generally tasked with several activities geared towards preparing and serving food. You will mostly find them preparing salad items, cleaning different surfaces, serving the customers, and even performing roles specific to an establishment.
Are you an experienced food service worker looking for a place to work or tired of your current workplace? Well, worry no more because we will look at some of the questions you should expect in your upcoming interview. Remember that passing your interview begins at the preparation stage, and therefore, anticipating what you will be asked is key. Take a look at the following questions.
Food Service Worker Interview Questions
Food Service Worker Interview Questions:
The prospective hires answer will demonstrate their food knowledge. It is important for food service workers to maintain knowledge of food allergies, as these could be potentially fatal.
Which aspect of your position do you enjoy most?
The prospective hire’s answer will give you an indication of their strengths.
How do you deal with challenging customers?
Food service workers have to provide customers with efficient, friendly service in fast-paced, dynamic environments—and cannot be deterred and discouraged by disruptive customers. The applicant needs to show the ability to address this obstacle adequately.
Interview questions with sample answers
Use these sample answers as inspiration when coming up with your own responses:
What is your greatest accomplishment in food service?
Employers ask this question to see if you are an ambitious individual. This question gives you the opportunity to share a time you went above and beyond to serve a guest. Think of a time when someone was especially happy with your service. Explain what you did to make their experience so positive.
Example: “While working as a barista, I noticed a little girl has spilled her hot cocoa. Her mom told her to go ask for a new one, but I could tell she seemed too nervous to get up to the counter. I quickly made her a new hot cocoa, topped with extra marshmallows and candy canes. I delivered it to her and said, This ones on me. In the future, never be afraid to speak up for what you need.
The smile on her face was better than any tip I have ever received. The next time she came into the shop, she felt brave enough to ask me for extra napkins without the help of her mom. Anytime I can make a person feel comfortable, I know I have accomplished something important.”
Interview tips for food service positions
Follow these tips when interviewing for a food service position:
Example: “I am very comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. In my previous role, I had to prepare meals for the entire hospital while also delivering meals to patients’ rooms. I learned how to multitask effectively by prioritizing my tasks. For example, I would start with making all of the meals first before starting to deliver them. This allowed me to ensure everyone was fed while also allowing me to get through my deliveries quickly.”
To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve put together a list of questions and answers that you may be asked.
If you’re looking for a job in hospital food service, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. During the interview, you’ll be asked questions about your experience, your ability to follow recipes and handle food safely, and your knowledge of food service procedures. You’ll also be asked some questions about your customer service skills.
An employer may ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of keeping patients safe. They want to know that you will take extra precautions when handling food for a patient who is allergic to an ingredient or group of ingredients. In your answer, explain how you would handle the situation and what steps you would take to ensure the safety of the patient.
Example: “I think food service workers should wash their hands every time they enter or exit the kitchen, before preparing any food and after handling raw meat or seafood. They should also wash their hands after using the bathroom, sneezing or coughing, touching garbage or anything else that could contaminate them.”
Why do you want to work here?
Try to find something positive. Say that you love their burgers, pizzas, or whatever they offer to customers. You can also praise the system of work they have in place (which is excellent in most franchise food chains), or the reputation and reviews they got on TripAdvisor or similar websites.
You will do well also with more prosaic reasons. Saying that you live close to the place, or that your friend recommended you the job (they are also working there), or that the working hours suit your schedule at school, is a good answer.
What experience do you have with respects to this particular FOOD SERVICE WORKER position?
Answer tips:
Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you know you do not have much experience in the job you are applying for, plan for this question ahead of time and ensure you can provide some relatable examples based on what you have done.
Almost all interviewers will appreciate confidence and pride in the work experience you have earned and your passion in transfering these valuable skills to your future role or position.
Answer sample
FAQ
How do I prepare for a food service interview?
- Be able to describe how your experience and skills would benefit the company.
- Anticipate possible questions you might be asked and have answers prepared.
- Plan transportation to arrive a few minutes early.
- Choose appropriate, business-like clothing and accessories to wear.
What questions do they ask at food service interviews?
- How would you ensure the safety of a guest with food allergies?
- What would you do if you had to come to work late?
- What steps would you take to sanitize your workspace?
- What would you do if a guest wasn’t satisfied with their food?
- What would you do if you were responsible for an error?
What does a food service worker do in a hospital?
Why are you interested in this position food service?
