Question Overview: This question is designed to see how well the applicant can think on their feet. The ideal candidate will have a creative response that will allow you to see how they think. Do they have a good sense of humor? Are they able to come up with a witty answer?
Sample Answer: I would be able to fly because I would be able to get anywhere in the world in a short amount of time.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be able to articulate the differences between a boss and a leader. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand how they view the role of a shift leader. Does the individual believe that a boss is someone who gives orders and expects them to be followed, while a leader is someone who inspires others to work harder?
Sample Answer: A boss is someone who gives orders and expects them to be followed. A leader is someone who inspires others to work harder.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience in the industry you are hiring for. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge how knowledgeable they are about the business. Does the candidate have experience in your industry? If not, what other industries have they worked in?
Sample Answer: I have worked in the retail industry for 10 years. I started as a cashier and worked my way up to shift leader.
Question Overview: Shift leaders are responsible for ensuring that each customer receives the correct order. If an order is incorrect, the applicant must be able to handle the situation in a professional manner. The ideal candidate will have experience in handling this type of situation and will be able to offer a solution to prevent it from happening again.
Sample Answer: If a customer received the wrong order, I would immediately apologize and offer to make it right. I would then find out what went wrong and make sure that it does not happen again.
Question Overview: The ideal applicant will have experience working on a team to complete a project. The candidate's response to this question will allow you to understand what types of strategies they have used in the industries they have worked in. Does the individual use quotas to make sure each person is hitting their sales requirements? What aspects do they focus on throughout their shift to improve productivity?
Sample Answer: At my last position, I helped my team develop a new product by creating a prototype and testing it with customers.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience in all areas of the operation to ensure that they are providing value to those they teach. Focus on the applicant's ability to convey their answer as it indicates how good they are at explaining topics to someone who does not know the business as well as they do.
Sample Answer: I have trained several hundred employees over the course of 10 years. At my last position, I learned about jobs and duties within each department to ensure that I could answer any questions regarding a specific zone.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have done their research on the company prior to the interview. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand how well they know the business. Does the individual have a basic understanding of the company's history and how it has grown over the years?
Sample Answer: I have read about Five Guys Burgers and Fries in several magazines. I know that you started in 1986 in Arlington, Virginia, and have since expanded to over 1,000 locations.
Question Overview: This is a general question that is used to learn more about the applicant. The ideal candidate will be able to speak about their life in a way that shows their personality. Do they have a strong sense of humor? Are they serious? What are their hobbies?
Sample Answer: I am a very outgoing person who enjoys spending time with my family. I have been playing soccer since I was a child and still play on a local team.
Question Overview: Mistakes are inevitable, but the ideal candidate will have learned from their errors and will not make the same mistake twice. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand how they handle their mistakes and what they have done to ensure that they do not repeat them.
Sample Answer: In my last position, I made a mistake by not asking a coworker if they were able to complete a task before I left for the day. When I returned the next morning, I found that the task was not completed.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have researched the company and will have a strong understanding of what it has to offer. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge how well they know the company and whether or not they are interested in working for your business.
Sample Answer: I have been interested in working for your company for some time now. I have read about your products and services, and I am very interested in working for a company that is growing as quickly as yours.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience in the industry and will be able to explain how they can help the company. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand what they feel their strengths are and how they can use them in your organization.
Sample Answer: I have a lot of experience in the food industry. I have been working in restaurants since I was 16 years old, so I know how to handle difficult customers. I am also very good at multitasking, which is essential for shift leaders.
Question Overview: Shift leaders are often required to work long hours to ensure that their team is meeting the company's goals. The ideal candidate will be available to work a full 40-hour work week. It is important to understand how many hours the applicant is willing to work and when they are available.
Sample Answer: I am available to work full-time and am willing to work overtime if necessary. I am also flexible in my schedule and can be available on short notice.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience in all areas of the operation to ensure that they are providing value to those they teach. Focus on the applicant's ability to convey their answer as it indicates how good they are at explaining topics to someone who does not know the business as well as they do.
Sample Answer: I have trained several hundred employees over the course of 10 years. At my last position, I learned about jobs and duties within each department to ensure that I could answer any questions regarding a specific zone.
Question Overview: As a shift leader, you will be required to handle situations that arise with customers. The ideal candidate will have experience dealing with customers who are upset about a product or service. How did the applicant handle the situation? Did they remain calm and collected or did they lose their temper?
Sample Answer: I had a customer who was upset about a product that was damaged during shipping. I apologized and offered to send them a new one at no additional cost. The customer was satisfied with my response and agreed to allow me to send a replacement.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience in the food service industry. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand what types of strategies they have used in the industries they have worked in. Does the individual use quotas to make sure each person is hitting their sales requirements? What aspects do they focus on throughout their shift to improve productivity?
Sample Answer: I think I would be a great fit for Cold Stone Creamery because I have experience working in a fast-paced environment. I am also a team player and have experience working with others to ensure that we are all hitting our goals.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience in a variety of food-related industries. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand what types of skills they have gained from their previous positions. Do they have experience in a restaurant, a grocery store or a food truck?
Sample Answer: I have worked in the food industry for 10 years. I have worked in restaurants, grocery stores and even on a food truck.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience in dealing with customers who are upset about something. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand how they handle a situation when a customer is upset. Does the individual try to calm the customer down or does he/she try to find a solution to the problem?
Sample Answer: In my last position, I had a customer who was upset because he had been waiting for his order for over an hour. I apologized for the delay and offered him a free gift card for his next purchase.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience providing excellent customer service. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand how well they understand the importance of this aspect of the job. Does the individual believe that customer service is about making sure that customers are happy? Or do they feel that it is about making sure that customers are satisfied with the product?
Sample Answer: Customer service is about making sure that customers are happy with the product they purchased. I always make sure to ask if they are satisfied with their purchase and if there is anything I can do to improve their experience.
Question Overview: This question is designed to gauge the applicant's interest in the field of study they are pursuing. The ideal candidate will have a strong passion for the subject they are studying. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand how well they can articulate their thoughts and feelings about a specific topic.
Sample Answer: I chose to study speedway because I have always been interested in racing. I enjoy the thrill of watching cars go fast and listening to the engines roar.
Question Overview: The ideal applicant will have experience in all areas of the business. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to understand what types of leadership roles they have held in the past. Does the individual have experience as a team leader, manager or supervisor?
Sample Answer: I have been a leader in my community for over 10 years. I started out as a youth group leader and eventually became the president of my local PTA.