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Fast Food Interview Questions: 10 Questions With Explanation and Sample Answers

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Do you want to work at your favorite fast food place?

You should look into some popular fast food interview questions to expect.

That way, the questions won’t catch you off guard.

You can think of your answers ahead of time so that the interview goes smoothly.

Read on to learn more about the questions hiring managers usually ask.

10 Common Fast Food Interview Questions

If you want to work in food service, you can expect a lot of the same fast food interview questions from different employers.

The following questions can help you get an idea of what to expect from most interviews.

  1. Why Do You Want to Work Here?
  2. Why Do You Want This Job?
  3. What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?
  4. Tell Me About Yourself
  5. How Do You Work Under Pressure?
  6. Why Is Customer Service So Important?
  7. What Hours Can You Work?
  8. Would You Consider Yourself a Team Player?
  9. Have You Worked in Fast Food Before?
  10. What’s Your Favorite Item on the Menu?

While these are some more common questions, you should prepare for others.

An interviewer may ask entry-level interview questions to help gauge your potential if you’re new to the industry.

Some people will also ask behavioral interview questions to learn more about you.

What Should I Say in a Fast Food Interview?

Not only do you have to prepare for the right questions, but you should think about your responses.

You shouldn’t practice answers exactly because you could sound too rehearsed.

However, knowing what to say can help you make the best parts of yourself stand out.

You can also minimize the other qualities to increase your chances of getting a job.

What Skills Are Fast Food Interviewers Looking for in a Candidate?

Fast food interviewers need to know they can trust you to provide good service.

They don’t have much time to assess that in an interview, but you can help them.

Consider the skills and traits fast food interviewers look for.

  • Ability to learn quickly: Fast food changes all of the time, from menu items to sales, and you need to adapt.
  • Flexible: You may need to do stuff outside your position to help or work hours outside your typical schedule.
  • Patient: Customers may have questions or need help, and so may your fellow employees.
  • Good communicator: You’ll work as a team and with the public, so you need to be able to listen and communicate effectively.
  • Fast: You need to do everything quickly without making significant mistakes when you work in food service.

What Traits Are Fast Food Interviewers Looking To Avoid in a Candidate?

Fast food interviewers also have traits in mind that they don’t want.

If you have the following traits, you can learn to suppress them while on the job.

Here’s what you should avoid talking about in a fast food interview.

  • One-on-one supervision: You may get individual support during training, but you’ll eventually have to work independently.
  • Unwilling to learn: Food service requires learning new things regularly, and if you aren’t able to do that, you won’t succeed.
  • Laziness: Fast food involves a lot of physical labor, so you won’t do a good job if you tend to be lazy or slack off.

Sample Fast Food Interview Questions and Answers

You should consider a few sample questions if you’re preparing for one or more interviews.

Then, you can get an idea of what you might say.

And you’ll be able to tailor your response to specific jobs.

Here are the most popular fast food interview questions and what you need to know about them.

1. Why Do You Want to Work Here?

Many interviewers will ask why you want to work for them, regardless of the industry.

You may want to research the restaurant before your interview.

That way, you can mention specifics in your answer.

Why This Question Is Asked

People ask this question because they want to know what made you apply.

Sure, you might need a job, in general.

However, hiring managers want to hire someone who wants to work for them.

What To Focus on When Answering This Question

Focus on the specific restaurant or location in your answer.

You can talk about how you want to grow as a person.

Just make sure your answer is honest.

What To Avoid When Answering This Question

Avoid saying anything about how you just need a job.

You also shouldn’t complain about other jobs you’ve had and how you think this job will be different.

The hiring manager might suspect you’ll complain about them.

Example Answer

I want a job that challenges me and keeps me on my toes. It looks like this position could fill that goal.”

2. Why Do You Want This Job?

A very similar question, this one focuses on the specific role you’re applying for.

Whether you want to work as a cashier or cook, it’s an important question.

Why This Question Is Asked

Hiring managers want to learn why you want a specific role in the company.

That way, they can learn if you’ll be a good fit for that role and the team.

What To Focus on When Answering This Question

Before the interview, go over the job description.

Then, you can pull specific duties from it that may interest you, such as working with others.

You can also talk about your desire to be part of something bigger than yourself.

What To Avoid When Answering This Question

Try not to focus on what the job pays or if it will put you in a position of power.

While those things are great, making those your focus can make you look bad.

Example Answer

I want to learn and grow as a person while working with a team. Being a [cashier, cook, etc.] could help me do that.

3. What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

Talking about your strengths and weaknesses can be challenging.

However, it helps interviewers learn what they can expect from you on the job.

Why This Question Is Asked

People ask this question to gauge how well you’ll fit the requirements of the role.

It can also tell a manager if they’ll need to work harder to train you or to help you succeed.

What To Focus on When Answering This Question

When answering both parts of the question, be honest.

You should also focus on qualities that relate to the job, such as customer service or teamwork.

If you don’t know your strengths and weaknesses, ask friends or family what they’d say before you go to the interview.

What To Avoid When Answering This Question

Some people say to share a weakness, like how you’re a perfectionist.

However, give some other weaknesses you have.

Consider if you’re working on getting better at it, and share that as well.

Example Answer

My biggest strength is my ability to listen and learn quickly. My biggest weakness is my fear of public speaking, but I’m working on it through a class.”

4. Tell Me About Yourself

This can be a very vague question, and it can be easy to answer it with a life story.

However, an interviewer usually just wants to know enough about you as a potential employee.

Why This Question Is Asked

Asking this question can give a manager an idea of who you are in a way that other questions can’t.

It also can be telling based on the details you give about yourself, such as your work history or family life.

What To Focus on When Answering This Question

Focus on things about you that make you a good fit for the job.

For example, maybe you love cooking at home and want to bring that skill into your career.

Or perhaps you worked at another fast food place and have experience.

What To Avoid When Answering This Question

Avoid talking too much about unrelated aspects of your personal life.

You may love getting to travel when you’re off work, but that doesn’t matter to a potential boss.

Example Answer

I grew up helping my parents and grandparents cook and host dinner parties. After working at [name of other restaurant], I knew I wanted to stay in the industry.

5. How Do You Work Under Pressure?

Fast food can involve a lot of high-pressure situations.

While you aren’t saving people’s lives, you do have to work quickly and deal with stress.

Why This Question Is Asked

Employers need to know if they can trust you to stay calm in stressful scenarios.

If you tend to stress out yourself, you might not be a good fit for the role, and that’s okay.

What To Focus on When Answering This Question

Focus on what you’ve done to work better under pressure.

If you’re naturally good at working under pressure, say that too.

What To Avoid When Answering This Question

You shouldn’t complain about being under pressure at work.

However, you also shouldn’t lie about your ability to deal with stress if it’s one of your weaknesses.

Example Answer

I handle stressful situations well and do my best to stay calm. I’m also good at helping others stay calm and work through the pressure.

OR

I don’t work the best under pressure, but I’m working on getting better at handling the stress.

6. Why Is Customer Service So Important?

Customer service is a massive part of many fast food jobs.

Even in the kitchen, you still need to work to please your customers.

You should know why customer service matters in your future job.

Why This Question Is Asked

Employers may ask this question to see your initial reaction.

Fast food is about more than serving good burgers or tacos.

The hiring manager wants to know your thoughts on the service side.

What To Focus on When Answering This Question

Focus on how customer service can help make the experience better.

If you’ve had a good experience as a customer, you can share that as an anecdote in your interview.

What To Avoid When Answering This Question

Avoid complaining about customers who are needy or who ask a lot of questions.

Sure, customer service is essential for helping those people.

However, you don’t want to come off as negative.

Example Answer

Customer service can make customers feel good and want to come back. It can also encourage customers to recommend a restaurant to their friends. Poor customer service could have the opposite effect.

7. What Hours Can You Work?

Fast food doesn’t have the traditional schedule of an office job.

Why This Question Is Asked

A manager needs to know if you can fill their open shifts.

If you’re taking over for an employee with a specific schedule, your availability could make or break your chances of getting the job.

What To Focus on When Answering This Question

Focus on how you’re flexible and can work various days and times.

If you’re willing to work holidays and weekends, mention that.

However, you should always be honest so that you make a good impression if you do get the job.

What To Avoid When Answering This Question

Avoid mentioning how you only want to work Monday through Friday and during the day.

You might be able to get that schedule, but there may be times when you have to work late.

The company might not want to hire you if you come off as inflexible.

Example Answer

I can work days and evenings, and I can work any day of the week. I know working weekends and holidays is part of the job, and I can handle that schedule.

8. Would You Consider Yourself a Team Player?

No matter the position you’re applying for, you’ll work with others.

Why This Question Is Asked

The hiring manager needs to know if you can work well with others.

A lot of fast food work involves a team, and you need to be able to work together and make compromises.

What To Focus on When Answering This Question

When someone asks about teamwork, focus on how you can work with others.

Of course, you shouldn’t lie to make yourself sound good.

However, if you have experience being part of a team, share that.

What To Avoid When Answering This Question

Try not to complain about past teammates, even if they were bad.

You may need to work with people with similar personalities, and you should be open to that possibility.

Example Answer

I consider myself a team player and enjoy working with others. While issues are bound to arise, I enjoy working with my team to find a solution that works for everyone.

9. Have You Worked in Fast Food Before?

Industry experience could help you get a leg up on other applicants.

Why This Question Is Asked

Someone may ask you about your fast food experience to learn if you’ve worked a similar job.

This can be especially important when applying for a managerial role.

However, it also comes in handy for entry-level roles if the company doesn’t offer much training.

What To Focus on When Answering This Question

Focus on your relevant work experience, whether it’s in fast food or not.

For example, even if you don’t have food service experience, you could talk about how you’ve worked with people.

You should also focus on details that aren’t on your resume or application.

What To Avoid When Answering This Question

Avoid talking negatively about any industry experience you have.

If you’re new to fast food, you should avoid making it out to be your biggest downfall.

You can, however, mention that you’re a quick learner.

Example Answer

I’m new to the fast food industry, but I have worked in retail before. As a cashier, I had to work with the public and my fellow employees, and I believe those skills transfer very well.

10. What’s Your Favorite Item on the Menu?

The boss may want to know how much you know about the food they serve.

Why This Question Is Asked

This question isn’t as common as others, but it may come up.

An interviewer may want to know how much you know about the restaurant’s food and what you’d say to a customer who asks for a recommendation.

What To Focus on When Answering This Question

Focus on your favorite item on the menu if you’ve eaten there before.

If you haven’t had the food, mention items that look good to you and that you’re excited to try them.

What To Avoid When Answering This Question

You shouldn’t complain about any menu items, even if you don’t like them.

Also, don’t compare the food to the restaurant’s competitors.

If you do that in front of customers, you’ll make the place look bad.

Example Answer

I enjoy the burger and fries and love pairing my meal with a shake on a hot day. When I come in for breakfast, I love getting a breakfast sandwich with some coffee.

Other Common Interview Questions You Could Be Asked

Consider a few more questions you may hear in an interview.

1. How Would You Describe Yourself?

This question is similar to “tell me about yourself.”

Why This Question Is Asked

An interviewer may ask you this to learn about your traits.

It’s a good follow-up question to the one asking you to talk about yourself, or someone may ask this instead of that question.

What To Focus on When Answering This Question

Focus on the traits that make you a good candidate for the job.

Maybe you’re good at teaching others, which would make you a nice fit for a training role or managerial position.

What To Avoid When Answering This Question

Avoid sharing too many negative traits.

While you can share one or two, be sure to focus more on how you’re overcoming those parts of yourself.

Then, focus on more positive aspects.

Example Answer

I’m a caring, loyal person and enjoy working with others. While I can be shy at first, I quickly open up once I get comfortable.

2. Why Should We Hire You?

This is an excellent question to help you set yourself apart from others.

Why This Question Is Asked

A lot of questions can help an employer decide to hire you.

However, this question allows you to share your side of the story.

What To Focus on When Answering This Question

Focus on what makes you a good fit for the company and specific role.

If they haven’t asked other common questions, include some answers for those, like your biggest strengths.

What To Avoid When Answering This Question

You shouldn’t talk about how you need a job, and this is the closest one to your home.

Even if that’s true, you want to share what makes you unique.

Example Answer

You should hire me because I love a good challenge and can learn new things quickly. That will help me whenever we get a new menu item or start a seasonal promotion.

3. What Do You Like to Do for Fun?

An employer may want to get to know you as a person.

Why This Question Is Asked

Learning about you outside of work could help an employer decide to hire you.

It also may help gauge how likely you are to leave a job, such as if you have specific hobbies or interests that wouldn’t work well with the job long-term.

What To Focus on When Answering This Question

Be honest when answering this question, and share some hobbies you have.

If it’s relevant, you can share how your hobbies help you in your job.

What To Avoid When Answering This Question

Avoid talking about how you wish you could do your hobby as a full-time job.

It may be a joke, but the interviewer may think you aren’t serious about working for them.

Example Answer

I enjoy playing chess, which helps keep my mind sharp. To help me stay active, I enjoy running on the treadmill or a local walking trail.

4. May We Contact This Employer?

References are an essential part of a job application.

The employer may need to contact your references if they have specific questions about you.

Why This Question Is Asked

An interviewer may want to learn more about what others think of you.

To do that, they will ask if they can contact your current or former employers.

What To Focus on When Answering This Question

Be truthful about if someone can contact an employer or not.

If you have a current job that doesn’t know you may leave, tell the interviewer you’d prefer they not call them.

Instead, direct them to another one of your references who’d be happy to talk.

What To Avoid When Answering This Question

Don’t discuss how an employer may bash you if the interviewer calls them.

Even if that’s possible, you don’t want to make yourself look bad in the interview.

Example Answer

You can call this employer, but please contact my direct supervisor at [their phone number.] They know I’m searching for a job, but the HR department doesn’t.

5. Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

This can be a tricky question to answer, especially if fast food isn’t your dream industry.

But it may come up, especially if you go through multiple rounds of interviews.

Why This Question Is Asked

Employers may want to know how long they can expect to keep you as an employee.

If they think you’ll quit in a few months, they won’t want to waste money and resources training you.

What To Focus on When Answering This Question

You should share the truth about where you want to be in five years.

If that’s not in food service, share how working in the industry could help you and how you can help the company.

What To Avoid When Answering This Question

Avoid lying, especially if you have apparent tells that could tip off an interviewer.

You can turn the answer around to show how you’ll help them.

Example Answer

I see myself settling down and taking care of my future kids full-time. While I don’t see myself in food service, I believe I can help the team over the next year or two.

Additional Tips for Fast Food Interviews

Here are some things to consider before your next fast food interview.

How Do You Prepare for a Fast Food Interview?

Take a good look at the job description to learn what you can expect to do.

You should research the restaurant and what they sell.

You should also prepare answers to the questions listed above.

For example, when talking about weaknesses, always put them in a positive light, like “I focus too much on details.”

What Should You Wear to a Fast Food Interview?

Wear something business casual, such as a solid-color top and black slacks.

That will be pretty similar to your uniform.

How Should You Introduce Yourself in a Fast Food Interview?

Introduce yourself using your name.

If you have any education in cooking or hospitality, share your degree or certification.

What Questions Should You Ask at the End of a Fast Food Interview?

The following are questions to ask during an interview.

It’s important to ask your interviewer questions because you’re also interviewing them.

1. Can You Tell Me About the Day-to-Day Responsibilities of the Position?

Learning about your daily responsibilities can help you prepare for the job.

On the other hand, you may decide it’s not the right fit for you.

2. Are There Opportunities for Training and Advancement?

If you want to advance to a manager role, ask about that.

Then, you’ll know what future you can expect from the company.

3. How Could I Impress You in the First Three Months?

Asking this can give you an idea of how to act once you get the job.

Then, you can know what the manager prioritizes from their employees.

4. When Will I Expect To Hear From You?

This question gives you an estimate of when you will hear back from the interviewer about hiring you.

It’s also a good idea to send a thank you email after your interview.

A thank you email show courtesy and good manners and your interest in the job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before your next interview, consider the following query and its answer.

Then, you’ll have all of the details you need to get a job.

What does “referred by” mean on a job application?

“Referred by” usually means a current employee told you about the position.

If a friend told you to apply, you should write their name on your application.

Wrapping Up

Answering fast food interview questions can be stressful.

However, you can expect a lot of the same questions from different companies.

Be sure to go through these questions before each interview.

While you shouldn’t script out your answer, you can come up with points you want to cover.

Then, you can make yourself stand out from the other applicants.

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