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: You want to see how your candidate will handle a difficult situation. You can learn a lot about their character and how they will react in the future.
Sample Answer: I would apologize for the inconvenience and offer them a discount on their next visit.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that the person you hire is going to be a good fit for your restaurant. You can learn about their personality and how they will interact with your other employees.
Sample Answer: I'm a hard worker who is always looking for ways to improve my skills. I'm also very friendly and enjoy working with others.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that your line cook is of legal age to work in your restaurant. If they are not, you will have to find a replacement.
Sample Answer: I am twenty-one years old.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential line cook is not only interested in working for you, but that they are also interested in the restaurant industry. A good answer will show that they have a passion for food and the restaurant business.
Sample Answer: I love cooking and I love being around people. I want to be a chef someday, and I know that working in a restaurant will help me get there.
Question Overview: This is a great question to ask a potential line cook because it will give you insight into how they view themselves and their coworkers. You want to hire someone who can work well with others and who understands the importance of a team.
Sample Answer: A team is a group of people working towards a common goal.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential line cook is reliable. If they are late for work, it can cause a domino effect of problems. You will need to make sure that they can be counted on to be on time, and this question will give you a good idea of how reliable they are.
Sample Answer: I've never been late for work. I have always been punctual and on time.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that your potential line cook 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: I am very good at communicating my needs to others and delegating tasks. I am also good at listening to others and working together to solve problems.
Question Overview: You want to know that your line cook will be able to handle stressful situations with grace and professionalism. If they are unable to handle situations with a calm demeanor, you will have to deal with a lot of stress in the kitchen.
Sample Answer: I would speak up and let the cook know that they need to follow proper procedure. I would also make sure that the other cooks were aware of the situation so that they could help out.
Question Overview: You want to see that your potential line cook is a good fit for your restaurant. They should be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the position and how they can contribute to your restaurant's success.
Sample Answer: I have extensive experience working in a fast-paced environment. I have also worked with a number of different types of food, which will help me adapt to your menu.
Question Overview: You want to make sure that the line cook you hire is available to work when you need them. This is especially important if you are hiring for a specific shift or event.
Sample Answer: Yes, my availability is the same as listed on my application.