Candidates

Succeed at Interviews

At C & C we hope that your first interview will result in your ideal offer. Whilst this does often happen it is also likely that you will need to attend more than one interview before you find your next position.

Before you attend an interview we will take time to find out your criteria for your next position. So, if you are offered an interview do see this is an opportunity to practice your skills (even if you have a few doubts about the position overall). It is also true to say that you cannot really know what any company is like until you attend.

Following every interview that you attend through C & C we will always obtain feedback from the client and pass this on to you.

When an interview has been unsuccessful this can actually be an invaluable opportunity to evaluate your own performance, and improve your skills for the next time.

Before The Interview

Prepare: Research the company before you attend your interview. Look on the company website and search engines and find out as much information about the company before you attend. We will always give you as much information as possible as well.

Plan your journey: If possible visit the location of the client before attending. You can also use our journey planner link to obtain travel information.

On The day

• Turn up on time. (Aim to arrive fifteen minutes early)
• Look presentable. Remember it is better to dress more formally than too casual.
• Turn off your phone during the interview.
• Answer questions honestly and clearly.
• Remember to bring photographic identification as well as any certificates, awards and menus you have written.
• Be yourself.

The Working Trial

Before you start, agree the time that you will finish, this avoids confusion at a later stage. Find out if you are required for a further interview after your shift in the kitchen.

Make sure you are clear about what it is they have asked you to do, and don’t be afraid to ask for further instruction if you are unclear.

Remember that it is your opportunity to assess the working environment as well, i.e. is this somewhere that you would like to work? What is the brigade/management like?

Below we have given some of the questions that you might be expected to answer during your interview.

Interview Questions

• Why are you leaving your current position?
• What attracted you to this position?
• What do you know about our company?
• Why were you in your previous job for such a short/long time?
• What do you think were your major achievements in your last job? 
• What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
• What training/ development do you think you will need in this position?
• How do you motivate people?
• How do you motivate yourself?
• How do you deal with pressure in the kitchen? Give an example.
• How do you delegate?/ What do you delegate?
• How did you get into this industry?
• What do you look for in a manager?
• Describe a time when you managed a difficult situation at work?
• What most interests you about being a chef?
• If you didn’t have to work, what would you do?
• What would your colleagues say about you?
• What can you bring to this position?
• What do you think was your biggest mistake?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
• What questions do you have for us?