Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential candidate has the experience to do the job. You want to know that they have worked in a kitchen before, and you want to know what their responsibilities were.
Sample Answer: I have been working in restaurants since I was 16. I have been a line cook for the last five years.
Question Overview: This question will give you a sense of your candidate's ability to learn from their mistakes. You want to work with someone who can take the time to reflect on their past and use it to improve their future.
Sample Answer: I learned that I need to be more organized and plan ahead. I also learned that I need to be more patient with my coworkers.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential candidate is interested in working with you and your restaurant. You want to see if they have done their research into your restaurant and have a genuine interest in working with you.
Sample Answer: I love the atmosphere of your restaurant. I've eaten there several times and really enjoy the food.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that your line cook is available to work at the times you need them. If you are looking for someone who can work a full-time schedule, you will want to know if they are available for all shifts. If you are looking for someone who can work part-time, you will want to know if they have any other obligations that may prevent them from working the hours you need.
Sample Answer: I am available to work full-time during the week and part-time on weekends.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential line cook is excited about working with you and your restaurant. If they are not excited about the prospect of working with you, then you do not want them to work with you.
Sample Answer: I think it would be a great place to work. I've always wanted to work in a restaurant like yours.
Question Overview: You want to see how your potential line cook handles stressful situations. This will give you an idea of how they will handle the pressure of working in a high-volume restaurant.
Sample Answer: I take a deep breath and focus on the task at hand. I try to keep my mind off of the stress by thinking about something else.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential line cook is available to start as soon as possible. You do not want to waste time training someone who is not going to be able to start right away. If they are not available, you may want to consider other candidates who are.
Sample Answer: I can start right away.
Question Overview: This is a great way to learn about your candidate's personality and what they expect from a job. You can also learn about their past experiences and how they have reacted to them.
Sample Answer: I liked being able to work with my coworkers and create new dishes.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential line cook is looking for a long-term career. You do not want to hire someone who is only looking for a job until they find something better. You want to hire someone who is dedicated to the restaurant industry and has a long-term vision of their career.
Sample Answer: I would like to be a head chef at a high-end restaurant.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that your line cook is not going to be a liability for you. You can ask them what they think will come up on their background check, and then follow up with your own questions. If they have a criminal record, you may want to ask them about the crime and how they have changed since then.
Sample Answer: I was arrested for possession of marijuana when I was 18. I learned my lesson and have not been in trouble since.
Question Overview: This question is designed to see how well the candidate can think on their feet. You want to see how they can apply their knowledge of food and cooking to a fast-food environment.
Sample Answer: I would make sure that the food was prepared correctly and served in a timely manner. I would also make sure that the restaurant was kept clean and organized.
Question Overview: This is a great question to ask because it gives you insight into the line cook's long-term goals. You want to hire someone who is dedicated to their career and understands that they will be working in the restaurant industry for a long time. You can also ask about their short-term plans, but you want to make sure that they are committed to their long-term goals.
Sample Answer: I plan on working in the restaurant industry for as long as I can. I want to be a head chef someday.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential line cook is a good fit for the position you are hiring for. If they have experience working in a similar environment, you can expect that they will be able to adapt to your restaurant's environment.
Sample Answer: I was a line cook at an Italian restaurant. I worked with a team of three other cooks to prepare all of the food for the day.
Question Overview: You want to know what your candidate's weaknesses are so that you can work with them on improving them. You will also want to know how they have overcome their shortcomings in the past.
Sample Answer: I'm not the best at keeping up with the cleanliness of my station. I've been working on improving this by cleaning as I go and making sure that my station is always organized.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential line cook is a team player. They will be working with others in the kitchen, and you need to make sure that they can work well with others. Not only should they have specific knowledge of working in a kitchen, but they should also have at least some background in team-building and organization so as to better provide you with long-term contingencies in all restaurant situations.
Sample Answer: Working with others during dinner rushes taught me how to communicate needs, delegate tasks and synchronize my workflow with those around me.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential line cook is able to handle the stress of a high-volume kitchen. If they cannot handle the stress, they will not be able to handle the job.
Sample Answer: I have a high tolerance for stress. I know that if I can keep my cool, I can make sure that the food is done right.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that your candidate is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. If they are willing to start off as a line cook, you can be sure that they will not be afraid to work hard and take on any task that is given to them.
Sample Answer: I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential candidate can thrive in a fast-paced working environment, and learning more about how they have overcome difficulty in the past can help you build a better image of them working with you. Getting service out on time in a high-turnover restaurant can be stressful, and this question will give you a sense of the candidate's time management skills and ability to follow procedures.
Sample Answer: Things always got busy around dinnertime. I organized my station at the beginning of each shift to meet quality levels during high demand times.
Question Overview: This is a great question to see how your candidate will sell themselves. You want to see them talk about their experience, but you also want to see them sell you on their ability to work with you and your restaurant.
Sample Answer: I have extensive experience in sushi and Japanese cuisine, which is what your restaurant specializes in. I have also worked in a number of other restaurants, which has given me a wide range of experience.
Question Overview: You want to see how your candidate handles stress in the workplace. You will be able to see how they can handle being rushed and how they prioritize tasks. This is also a good way to gauge their ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Sample Answer: I always made sure that I had everything I needed before the rush started. I would check my station and make sure that everything was ready for the rush.