How to prepare for an interview in Catering?

Preparing for a catering job interview is extremely important. Employers share lots of funny horror stories about interviews, and you can bet anything you like that the candidates they’re talking about didn’t get the job! That’s why we’ve written some top tips on how to prepare for your interview in catering to raise your chances of being offered the job.

What you need to do before your interview:

• Research – Find out as much as possible about the company. You’re bound to be asked why you want to work for them, so a bit of research will help you think of a good answer. Look at the company’s website, and also see if there are any reviews on the internet, e.g. on TripAdvisor.

• Preparation – Prepare your answers to the most likely questions you’ll be asked, which could include:
  • Tell me about a suggestion you’ve made that was implemented at work.  
  • What’s your greatest weakness?
  • What challenges are you looking for in this position?
  • Why do you want to work with us?
  • What do you know about the company?
  • What qualities will you bring to the team?
  • Tell me about a time when things didn’t go to plan.

• Questions – Have a list of questions you want to ask. In every interview, you will be asked if you have any questions – so have something handy! It’s fine to have a notepad and pen with you during the interview so you can prompt yourself, as well as make a note of any points the interviewers make that you’d like to ask them about later.

• Appearance – Choose a smart outfit to wear. Make the effort to wear something smart in order to make a good impression on your interviewers.

• Travel – Work out how to get there and factor in time for delays so you arrive for your interview on time. If you’re travelling by public transport, check the timetables and factor in extra time for delays or cancellations. If you’re driving, do a dry run beforehand to make sure you know the route, and also factor in extra time/all a bit repetitive in case you get stuck in traffic. It’s better to arrive too early than too late!

• Leave them with something to remember you by – Have a copy of your CV and any certificates with you in case they ask to see them. Even if you’ve given all the information as part of your application, it is always good to give interviewers hard copies – though make sure you keep them in a folder to stop them getting dog-eared or dirty.

After the interview

Politeness is always appreciated and it is therefore a great idea to send a note to your interviewers to thank them for their time. It is an especially good idea to do this if you would like the job as it shows them that you’re not only interested in being offered it, but are also thoughtful enough to provide the kind of teamwork and great customer service they’re looking for.

If you’re looking for temporary or permanent work in the catering industry, search the current catering jobs we currently have available in Hertfordshire, Essex and London, or call us on 01992 620200 to talk about the kind of job you’re looking for.