What questions can I expect at a job interview to be working in the Kitchen?

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Finch

2851 posts

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#141028 27-Feb-2014 14:44

Hi guys,

I have a job interview tomorrow for a junior cook/s position. I have been researching what questions I am most likely to be asked and have been thinking how I would answer them and what my answers would be if I get asked the questions.

I came across this site here and was wondering if there was any chance I could be asked any of these questions. It is for a chef and I am applying for a Junior cooks position so I am guessing I wont be asked any but I want to be prepared.

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/job-specific/fl/Chef-Interview-Questions.htm

I hope this doesn't come across as "Robot-like" and my answers don't sound false.

Also how common is it for an interviewer to ask the question "What animal do you see yourself as?"

Thanks :)

BTR

1527 posts

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#995562 27-Feb-2014 15:32

1 . How long have you been cooking.
2. What are your skills i.e. pastry chef or other
3. How many kitchens have you worked in
4. What type of environments i.e. cafe, restaurant or bar.

gzt

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#995707 27-Feb-2014 18:23

I have no experience in the kitchen industries. But imho..

For a junior position you will be asked very few if any of those ones. It doesn't hurt to prepare though.

You are more likely to be asked more of the usual general questions.

Main ones to prepare for because those ones can throw you if you have not thought them through properly. Here's my picks for your industry:

1. Have you ever had a problem with a co-worker or manager and how did you handle it?
2. Tell me about your weaknesses
3. Tell me about yourself
4. Do you always come to work on time?

Hint, with #1 it is actually better to have had some kind of problem and solved it because this shows you are capable of dealing with those situations.

But seriously in addition prepare for everything on the linked list because you will handle the interview a lot better even if you are only asked a small number of them or none at all. The suggested answers are sometimes not that great but reading through them and thinking through you own response will be the preparation you need.

Batman

Mad Scientist
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#995712 27-Feb-2014 18:30

Put yourself in the employer's shoes. Ask yourself if I answer the question like that would I hire that candidate.

He's probably looking for someone who will ask for assistance when unsure, reliable at showing up, can follow instructions, will get along with everyone, does not drop the ball when under the most intense of pressure, who if in doubt will revert back to "a".

gzt

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#995718 27-Feb-2014 18:41

Btw, it's a very common mistake to wait through the whole interview for a question about your strengths or unique abilities before talking about them. If you have some of those you want to get across then figure out a way you can work those into your answers or conversation. It is a common mistake of interviewers not to notice those (or even pick up on those from the C.V) but it is your job to talk about them or they will not get the opportunity to ask you further questions about those and you may lose out because they did not come up.

gzt

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#995719 27-Feb-2014 18:43

Lastly most interviews these days are more conversational. If it seems overly rigid and formal you are probably dealing with somebody without a lot of experience in interviewing and you will have to help them out a bit to get to the interesting stuff.

Finch

2851 posts

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#996019 28-Feb-2014 08:51

Thanks guys for all the info.

Not long to go now. Eek.