20 Aramark Interview Questions and Answers

Aramark is a company that provides food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to healthcare institutions and more. If you are interviewing for a position with Aramark, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the food service industry, your customer service skills, and your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Aramark interview questions will also focus on your ability to handle difficult situations and your knowledge of Aramark’s products and services.

Aramark Interview Process

The interview process at Aramark can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like Food Service Worker, the process is quick and easy, with little to no difficulty. For other positions, like Account Executive, the process may be more difficult, with multiple interviews and a longer hiring process. Overall, the experience of the interview process at Aramark varies depending on the position you are applying for.

1. What are your thoughts on the current state of food service?

Aramark is a leader in the food service industry, and they want to know that you’re aware of current trends. They also want to see if your opinions align with their own. In your answer, show that you are passionate about food service and understand how it’s changing.

Example: “I think the current state of food service is exciting. There are so many new ways to get creative with meals and snacks. I love seeing chefs use seasonal ingredients to create unique dishes. It’s important for Aramark to stay on top of these trends because our customers expect us to provide them with quality food.”

2. Why do you want to work at Aramark?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you’re interested in working for Aramark. Use your answer to share what attracted you to this company, including any research you’ve done on its mission or values.

Example: “I want to work at Aramark because I’m passionate about providing quality food services to customers. In my last role as a server, I noticed that many of our customers were unhappy with the quality of the cafeteria’s food. I would love to be part of a team that works together to improve customer satisfaction by offering delicious meals.”

3. What is your experience with customer service?

Customer service is a vital part of Aramark’s business model. The company wants to know that you have experience providing excellent customer service and can apply those skills in your new role. When answering this question, highlight the specific skills you use when interacting with customers.

Example: “I’ve worked as a server for five years now, so I’m very familiar with how to interact with customers. In my current position, I am responsible for taking orders from customers, bringing them their food and drinks, refilling beverages and cleaning up after they’re done eating. I also provide exceptional customer service by being friendly and helpful, anticipating their needs and resolving any issues they may have.”

4. How do you respond to difficult customers or situations?

Aramark wants to know how you will handle challenging situations that may arise in the workplace. Use your answer to show that you can remain calm and professional when faced with a difficult customer or situation.

Example: “I always try my best to make sure every customer is satisfied, but I understand that it’s not always possible. If a customer ever has an issue with their food or service, I first apologize for any inconvenience and then do everything I can to resolve the problem. For example, if they are unhappy with their meal, I offer them another one on me. I also take note of what they didn’t like so that we can improve our services.”

5. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a client.

Aramark is looking for employees who are willing to go the extra mile and provide exceptional customer service. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you went above and beyond for a client or coworker.

Example: “When I worked as a server at a restaurant, one of my regular customers was in a wheelchair. He always ordered the same thing, so I memorized his order. One day he came in with a friend, and I realized that I had forgotten his usual order. Instead of just taking their orders and bringing them back out, I asked him what he usually got and wrote it down. This way, I could make sure I never forgot again.”

6. Give an example of how you would make sure all customers were satisfied in your department, even if they had conflicting needs.

Aramark wants to know that you can work with a variety of customers and ensure they all leave satisfied. Use your answer to show the interviewer how you would handle this situation in real life.

Example: “I once worked at a hospital where I had to serve patients, visitors and staff members. One day, I was serving lunch to a patient who needed their food cut up for them. At the same time, I also had a doctor who wanted his meal served quickly so he could get back to work. I made sure both customers were happy by cutting up the patient’s food before bringing it to them and then delivering the rest of the meal to the doctor as soon as possible.”

7. If hired, what would be your approach to managing a team of food service workers?

Aramark is a large company that employs thousands of food service workers. Your answer to this question can help the interviewer understand how you would approach managing your team and what leadership skills you have.

Example: “I believe it’s important for managers to be accessible to their teams, so I would make sure to hold regular meetings with my staff to discuss any issues they may be having or ways we could improve our processes. I also think it’s important to provide clear instructions to employees so they know exactly what is expected of them. This helps ensure everyone is on the same page and reduces errors.”

8. Do you have any experience with inventory management?

Aramark uses a software program to track inventory and other important information. The company wants to know if you have experience with this type of system so that they can determine whether or not you’re ready for the job. If you don’t, it’s okay to say so. You can also mention that you are willing to learn how to use the system.

Example: “I’ve never used an inventory management system before, but I am eager to learn. I understand that Aramark has training available for new employees, which will help me get up to speed on the system quickly.”

9. Can you tell me about a time you had conflict within your team? What was the outcome?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle interpersonal conflict and your ability to resolve it. When answering, try to focus on the steps you took to solve the issue and highlight any skills or traits that helped you work through the situation.

Example: “In my last role as a food service manager, I had a team of five employees who worked together in the cafeteria. One day, one of my employees was running late for her shift and didn’t call in advance. This led to another employee having to cover her position while also working her own. She became upset with the other employee and told me about the incident.

I spoke with both employees separately and learned they were both stressed out from their jobs. We talked about ways we could all support each other and make sure no one felt overworked. In the end, we decided to hire two more employees so everyone would have enough time to complete their tasks.”

10. Tell us about a time you made a mistake.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you react when faced with a challenge. When answering, try to focus on the steps you took to fix the mistake or learn from it.

Example: “When I first started working in food services, I was responsible for ordering supplies for my department. One day, I ordered too many plates, which meant we had extra inventory. Rather than return them, I kept them in storage. A few months later, I needed some plates but didn’t have any left. I ended up having to pay for new ones out of pocket because I hadn’t returned the extras.”

“I learned that it’s important to always be honest about mistakes and take responsibility for them. In the future, I would make sure to report all errors so they can be fixed immediately.”

11. Describe a time where you had to think outside the box to come up with a solution to a problem.

Aramark wants to know that you can think critically and solve problems. This is a great opportunity for you to showcase your problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities and creativity.

Example: “When I was working as an event planner at my previous job, we had a client who wanted us to plan their wedding in the middle of winter. We were worried about how we would be able to decorate the venue with flowers and other decorations without them dying or getting damaged by the cold weather. After talking it over with our team, we decided to use fake flowers instead of real ones so we could decorate the venue however we wanted. The bride loved her wedding and didn’t even notice the difference.”

12. Have you ever handled cash before?

Cash handling is a vital part of Aramark’s operations. The company needs employees who can count money accurately and quickly, so it asks this question to make sure you have the necessary skills for the job. If you haven’t worked with cash before, explain what your experience was like in previous jobs where you did handle cash.

Example: “I’ve never had to handle cash at work, but I do have some experience doing it outside of work. When I was younger, my family owned a restaurant, so I often helped out by counting money after our shifts were over. It wasn’t until later that I realized how important accuracy was when dealing with cash.”

13. Do you consider yourself to be detail oriented?

Detail orientation is an important skill for Aramark employees to have. The company wants people who can pay attention to detail and ensure that their customers receive the best service possible. When answering this question, it’s important to show your ability to be thorough and accurate in your work.

Example: “I consider myself to be a very detail oriented person. I pride myself on my ability to notice small details and make sure they’re done correctly. In my last position as a server at a restaurant, I noticed that one of my coworkers was forgetting to put silverware on some tables. I let her know about it so she could correct the mistake, but I also made sure to check all the tables after that to make sure everything was okay.”

14. Are you comfortable working weekends and/or holidays?

Aramark is a 24/7 operation, and the interviewer wants to make sure you understand this. They also want to know if you have any objections or concerns about working these hours.

Example: “I am comfortable with weekend work, but I do prefer to spend time with my family on holidays. However, I understand that sometimes we need to work during these times. If it’s an emergency situation, I will be there for my team members.”

15. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your career goals. They want to know if you plan on staying with Aramark for a long time or if you’re looking for something new in the future. When answering, try to be honest and specific. Explain what you hope to accomplish in the next five years and how working at Aramark will help you achieve those goals.

Example: “I see myself as an event planner by then. I’m currently taking classes to get my certification, and I think Aramark would be a great place to gain experience. I’ve always been interested in event planning, and I feel like Aramark’s services could really benefit me as I continue my education.”

16. Would you say that you take initiative? Explain why or why not.

This question is a great way to determine how proactive you are and whether or not you would be able to take on the responsibilities of an Aramark employee. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide examples of times when you took initiative in your previous roles.

Example: “I definitely believe that I am someone who takes initiative. In my last position as a server at a restaurant, I noticed that our kitchen staff was running low on supplies. Rather than waiting for them to ask me for help, I offered to go to the supply room myself to get what they needed. This helped save time for the kitchen staff and allowed me to show my willingness to help.”

17. Are you comfortable answering phone calls?

Aramark is a customer service-oriented company, so it’s important that you’re comfortable with phone calls. Aramark representatives often answer questions about the services they provide and help customers place orders.

Example: “I have worked in call centers before, so I know how to handle incoming calls. I’m very patient on the phone and can speak clearly and concisely when answering questions or placing an order. I also understand that there are many people who need assistance, so I try to be as efficient as possible while still providing quality service.”

18. We want our employees to be able to work independently. Do you think you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

Aramark wants to know that you can work independently and be successful in their organization. They want employees who are motivated, hardworking and willing to take on new challenges. When answering this question, show the interviewer that you’re a self-starter and explain why you would be a good fit for Aramark’s independent environment.

Example: “I think I would be a great fit for Aramark because I’m used to working independently. In my previous position, I was responsible for ordering supplies and managing inventory. I also had to make sure our facilities were clean and ready for guests. I enjoy being able to do these tasks without having to ask someone else for help.”

19. Tell us how important teamwork is to you.

Aramark is a company that values teamwork. They want to know how you will contribute to their team and help them achieve their goals. When answering this question, explain why teamwork is important to you and what you can do to make your team more effective.

Example: “Teamwork is very important to me because it allows us all to work together toward the same goal. I believe that by working together we can accomplish so much more than if we were to work alone. In my last position, I was part of a large team that worked on projects for clients. We had weekly meetings where we discussed our progress and any issues we encountered. This allowed us to learn from each other and develop solutions to problems.”

20. How often do you like to be in contact with your manager when working on a project?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with your manager and other members of management. It can also show them what kind of expectations they might have for you if you’re hired. When answering, try to be honest about how often you like to communicate with your manager and why that is.

Example: “I prefer to check in with my manager at least once a week when working on a project. I find it helpful to get feedback from my manager so I know whether or not I’m meeting their expectations. This helps me adjust my work as needed to ensure I’m completing projects effectively.”