The Do's and Don'ts of Getting Hired

Do:

• Bring a fresh copy of your resume printed on plain white or off-white paper. Make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes!
• Dress professionally, even if you are interviewing for a back of the house position.
• Rehearse a sales pitch. Why are you the best candidate for the job? What can you do better than anyone else? What have your previous employers admired in you?
• Be on time for your interview.
• Be positive during your interview.
• Listen to the interviewer. You are also there to learn about the job, not just talk about yourself.  Practice answers to common interview questions (listed below).
• Prepare questions in advance. Ask the interviewer about specific job duties, the future of the company, why the job is available, or when they will make the final hiring decision.
• Research the company you are interviewing with before the actual interview, even if it's to find out what type of cuisine they serve, how old the company is, and who owns it.
• Thank the interviewer for meeting with you.
• Follow up with a phone call a week after the interview if you were not told when you would be contacted about the job.

Don't:

• Lie on your resume or fudge dates to cover up a period of unemployment.
• Badmouth a former employer or coworker. Everyone knows everyone in the foodservice industry; your interviewer could be best friends with the person you badmouth.
• Chew gum, slouch, or fidget during an interview.  Answer questions with a simple yes or no answer. Be friendly and responsive.
• Act like you are desperate for the job.
• Call the interviewer by a wrong name.
• Ask the interviewer if they are going to hire you during the interview.
• Ask about vacation, sick days, or how much you are going to make at the beginning of the interview.

Common Interview Questions:

• Tell me about yourself. The interviewer wants to hear a brief statement about your education, experience, and job skills.
• Why do you want to work here?
• What interests you about this job?
• Why did you leave your last job?
• What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?
• What are your future plans?