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Plan Your Strategy and Create a Good Answer for Interview Question (s)

good answer for interview question Create a good answer for interview question(s). Having a strategy or plan when you approach an interview will help you feel more focused and in control. There are job interview techniques that can make the difference between a "ho hum" interview and one where you sparkle!

There are two things you should focus when preparing for an employer interview:

    1. What characteristics the employer is seeking in a worker.
    2. What characteristics about yourself to emphasize and repeat when answering the employer's question.


Find the Skills, Qualities, and Experience the Employer Seeks

To start to create a good answer for interview question(s), make a list of skills, qualities, and experience the employer stated they are looking for in the job advertisement. Then, write down how you meet or exceed the employer's requirements. As you interview with the employer, work your "list" into the answers you give. The employer has an agenda but you do too! Your agenda is to answer the interview questions in such a way that you demonstrate to the employer your skills, qualities, and experiences that more than qualify you for the job!

To get started, check out some free interview answers listed below. Practice revising the answers to fit your personal situation.

Let's first look at an advertisement for a Line Cook at "Monday's" Restaurant. I have underlined the skills, qualities, and experience the employer is looking for so we can use those in preparing our answers. We will use this example and create a good answer for interview question(s) that may be asked in regard to this job opening.

Now Hiring Line/Prep Cooks

What do you seek in your career path? An opportunity for growth? A chance to succeed? A fun, exciting social environment? Blending all of these together is the difference between a good job and a great career. Here you'll discover a balance between work life and personal life, as well as a wealth of benefits for your health, future, family and happiness.

We strive to encourage, enrich and celebrate our associates every day. Why? It's simple-we found it's the best way to help people reach their potential. It all starts with our inclusive culture, which welcomes and embraces our collective differences...and the strengths these differences create.

Primary Responsibilities:
Completes all assigned prep work and sets up cook's station. Maintains product presentations, product quality and cook time standards. Prepares all menu items according to Monday's Recipes, Plate Presentations and specifications.

Specific Functions and Duties:

  • Prepares menu items according to Monday's Recipes, Plate Presentations and specifications.
  • Completes all assigned prep work.
  • Sets up work station according to station diagram.
  • Practices sanitary and safe food handling at all times.
  • Cleans and sanitizes the work area before, during and after shift.
  • Completes assigned daily and weekly cleaning projects.

Qualification Standards:

  • Able to place plates, utensils, pans and cases on high and low shelves.
  • Reading, writing and verbal communication skills required.
  • Capable of using knives, slicing equipment and other food preparation equipment.
  • Mobility required during the entire shift.

Sample Question and Answer Interview

Why should we hire you?
(List your skills, qualities and experience and how you would fit in)
    Good Answer for Interview Question:
  • "I have 5 years experience as a line cook in a busy but fun upscale restaurant where I enjoy working as part of a team with a variety of people to ensure customer satisfaction. I am adept at preparing menu items according to restaurant recipes, plate presentations, and specifications. I have been trained in
    • and practice sanitization and safe food handling."

Why do you want to work here?
(Be honest, research the company and state 3 reasons)

    Good Answer for Interview Question:
  • "Monday's Restaurant is a place where I believe I could contribute to the company's success and build on my career as a cook. I would like to be part of a growing, exiting company that offers great benefits to its employees as well as the opportunity to pursue a career."

What are your goals? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

    Good Answer for Interview Question:
  • "I would like to continue to grow within the food service business and expand my knowledge of restaurant operations. I would like to take advantage of training opportunities and advance within the company. I am particularly interested in continuing to learn new cooking techniques, and also more about managing restaurant staff."

What can you do for us that other candidates can't?
    Good Answer for Interview Question:
  • "I work well with a variety of people and personalities. I pick up new cooking techniques quickly and easily and am focused on food quality & presentation and customer satisfaction. I will do a great job for you, and will support the cook's time standards."

Summary

As you continue to interview, you will become more adept at answering a variety of questions with ease and focus. Remember, the interview is where the employer determines how well you will fit at the company, but you have an agenda as well! Your agenda is to "sell" the employer on the qualifications, skills, and experiences you have that are most important to them.

Focus on what you want to accomplish during the interview. Use honesty and sincerity as you create a good answer for interview question(s).You will finish with confidence knowing that you satisfied your goals and presented yourself in the best possible ways to the employer.

Happy Interviewing!




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temporarily - you
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