| 1 | What is the most challenging part of budgeting for you? |
|---|---|
| 6 | Tell me about a recent experience you’ve had working with your hands. |
| 7 | Tell me how you organize, plan, and prioritize your work. |
| 8 | Give me an example of when you thought outside of the box. How did it help your employer? |
In this article, we explore some of the most common interview questions asked during a school cafeteria worker interview along with some great answers to help you win the job.
Culinary Interview
What do you think are the main tasks of a cafeteria worker?
The interviewer usually asks this question to test the relevance of your previous job experiences. Simply listing the main duties and responsibilities that you expect to handle is an effective way of showing that you know what you need to do to be successful in the role.
Example answer: “From my previous experiences, I can say that the main tasks of a cafeteria worker are to arrange and serve meals, assist customers in making food choices, collecting payment for the served food, cleaning all equipment and utensils after use and generally making sure everyone in the cafeteria benefits from excellent customer service.”
Questions about experience and background
These questions help to assess the candidates experience and background:
In-depth questions
These questions refer to specific aspects of the job:
Why do you want to work in a school cafeteria?
Let’s be honest. No children dream of working in a school cafeteria once they grow up. Most workers in cafeterias earn minimum wage, and that’s why people dream of other careers. Having said that, the job has actually some advantages. For example, you will end your day early, the stress levels are low, and you will have some contact with young people–which is always nice.
You can refer to these things in your answer. Say that the working hours suit you, or the type of work (considering your previous experience), or basically that in this stage of your professional career, you are looking for a stable job with low stress levels. The key is to find something positive on the job. They shouldn’t get an impression that you apply only because you have to, because you cannot get a better job at the moment.
Tell me about your ability to work under pressure?
Answer tips:
Here’s where the ability to perform under fire comes into play. And, if possible, give an example that is relatable to the type of position that you are applying for.
The ideal way to respond to this question is to provide examples and situations of how you have handled stress in your previous jobs. In this way, the interviewer can establish a clear picture of how well you are likely to react when the going gets tough.
Pro tip: make sure you are not referencing a time when your lack of organization or communication put you in a “self induced” stressful scenario. This is to say, don’t share a story about how your procrastiation created a situation where you had to finish a project quickly.
Answer samples
Why did you decide for a career of a pilot?
Say them that you enjoy flying, and that you believe to be a responsible person. You can also say that you have all skills and strengths needed for this type of work. Alternatively you can refer to an experience that motivated you to pursue the career, such as meeting a pilot when you were young, or having passion for aircraft models since childhood.
The key is to convince them that you really want the job, and did not apply just because you’ve already spent a small fortune on your studies and training.
FAQ
How do I prepare for a cook interview?
- What’s your experience in food handling?
- Do you prefer working alone or as a team?
- What do you do to stay punctual?
- What did you like most in our menu?
- What entrees/sauces/etc. …
- How do you ensure cooks have always adequate supplies during a rush?
What are your 5 most important questions to ask a new prospective line cook?
- What dishes showcase your creativity? …
- What kind of formal training do you have when it comes to preparing and plating food?
- How would you describe the difference between broiling and braising? …
- How do you ensure your station is well stocked, even when it’s busy?
What questions do they ask in a chef interview?
- When did you decide to become a chef?
- What is your signature dish? …
- What is your favorite or least favorite dish to prepare? …
- How do you describe your overall cooking philosophy?
- Name the three kitchen tools you can’t do without?
- Why are you considering a new position?
