20 Canteen Interview Questions and Answers

Canteen is one of the largest food service providers in the United States, serving over 2,000 clients nationwide. Canteen provides a variety of services, from full-service dining to vending and office coffee.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Canteen, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the food service industry, as well as your availability and scheduling flexibility. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample Canteen interview questions and answers.

Canteen Interview Process

The interview process at Canteen can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like Customer Service Representatives, you may be interviewed over the phone or in person. For other positions, like Cooks, you may be hired without an interview if you have worked for Compass Group before. The interview process for managers is usually more extensive and may involve a panel interview. Overall, the interview process at Canteen is generally quick and efficient.

1. Why do you want to work at Canteen?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in the position. They want someone who is passionate about working with students and helping them have a positive experience at school. When answering, think of what attracted you to the job posting. Explain why you are excited to work for Canteen and help make it an amazing place for students.

Example: “I applied for this position because I love working with kids. I’ve been babysitting since I was 14 years old, and I am currently a camp counselor during the summer. I enjoy being able to be a role model for children and showing them how much fun they can have when they try new things. Working here would allow me to continue doing that while also getting paid. I’m excited to meet all of the unique personalities that come through the canteen.”

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. They want to know what skills you have that will help you succeed in the role, but they also want to make sure you are aware of any areas where you need improvement. When answering this question, be honest about your strengths and weaknesses while focusing on the positive aspects of your personality.

Example: “I am a very organized person who is always prepared for anything. I like to think ahead so I can anticipate problems before they arise. My weakness is that sometimes I over-prepare and spend too much time planning when it would be better to just go with the flow. I’m working on being less rigid and more flexible.”

3. How would you handle a difficult customer or situation?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills and confidence to handle challenging situations. Use your answer to show that you can remain calm, polite and professional in any situation.

Example: “I would first try my best to resolve the issue with the customer. If they are upset or angry, I would listen to what they have to say and apologize for their experience. Then, I would find out what I could do to fix the problem. For example, if a customer is unhappy with their food, I would offer them a replacement meal or a refund. If the customer continues to be difficult, I would politely ask them to leave the premises.”

4. Describe your experience with handling cash, coin and credit cards.

Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience handling cash, coins and credit cards. They want someone who is comfortable with these transactions and can do them quickly and accurately. When answering this question, explain your previous experience handling cash, coin and credit card transactions. Explain how you did it and what your accuracy rate was.

Example: “In my last job as a cafeteria server, I handled cash, coins and credit cards every day. I had to be very accurate when counting out change for customers because they would count their change back to me before leaving. I also had to keep track of the money in my drawer at the end of each shift so that I could give an accurate amount to my manager.”

5. Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without consulting your manager first.

This question can help interviewers understand how you make decisions on your own and whether or not you have the confidence to do so. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you made a decision that helped improve your workplace or one where you learned from making a mistake.

Example: “When I first started working in food service, I was unsure of what size portions were appropriate for each meal. One day, a customer asked me if they could get more chicken with their meal because there wasn’t enough. I told them I would ask my manager about adding more chicken to their plate. My manager said we couldn’t add any more chicken to their plate but suggested I tell customers that our meals are portioned according to USDA standards. From then on, I’ve always been able to answer questions like that without consulting my manager.”

6. Do you have any experience working in a team environment?

Working in a team environment is an important part of working as a canteen assistant. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with others and can be a valuable member of their team. Use your answer to explain that you are willing to work with others and enjoy doing so. Explain that you understand the importance of teamwork and how it can help you achieve goals.

Example: “I’ve always enjoyed working in a team environment, especially when I know everyone has different strengths. In my last job, I worked alongside two other people who were responsible for preparing meals while I was responsible for cleaning up after them. We all had our own tasks, but we also helped each other out when needed. It made the job more enjoyable because we could rely on one another.”

7. How well do you work under pressure?

Employers ask this question to see if you can handle the pressure of working in a busy environment. They want to know that you are able to work quickly and efficiently while still maintaining quality standards. Use your answer to show that you have experience with high-pressure situations and how you handled them.

Example: “I find that I perform best when under pressure. When there is a lot going on, I am able to focus more and get my tasks done faster. In my last job as a server, we had a rush every day at lunchtime. This meant that I was constantly under pressure to serve customers quickly but also ensure they were happy with their food. I found that I thrived in these conditions and learned to be even more efficient.”

8. Are you comfortable driving a truck?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience driving a truck. If you do, they might want to know how long you’ve driven one and what your record is for the most miles driven in a day or week. If you don’t have experience driving a truck, explain why not and mention any other types of vehicles you’ve driven.

Example: “I haven’t had the opportunity to drive a truck yet, but I am comfortable driving large vehicles like 18-wheelers. In my last job, I drove a tractor trailer that carried food products across state lines. It was an exciting challenge because it required me to be extra cautious when navigating through traffic.”

9. Do you have any experience operating a forklift?

Forklifts are a common piece of equipment in school cafeterias. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the necessary skills to operate one safely if they need you to do so. If you don’t have forklift experience, consider mentioning any other relevant experience operating heavy machinery or vehicles.

Example: “I’ve never operated a forklift before, but I am familiar with how they work and know how to use them safely. In my previous role as a cafeteria worker, I was responsible for loading and unloading deliveries from trucks. This required me to use a pallet jack to move large boxes into the storage room. I also used a hand truck to transport supplies between the kitchen and dining area.”

10. Do you have any experience working in the vending industry?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have any experience working in a similar environment. If you do, share your previous job duties and how they relate to the position you’re interviewing for. If you don’t, explain what vending machines are and how they work.

Example: “I worked as a cashier at a local convenience store when I was in high school. My main responsibility was selling snacks and drinks from the vending machine. I learned how to operate the machine and count change back to customers. I also had to make sure that the machine didn’t run out of stock too often.”

11. Have you ever worked an overnight shift before? If so, how did you like it?

Employers ask this question to see if you have experience working overnight shifts. If you haven’t, they may also want to know how you would handle it. When answering this question, be honest about your previous experience and what you thought of the shift. If you don’t have any experience, explain that you are willing to do whatever is necessary for the job.

Example: “I’ve never worked an overnight shift before, but I am open to doing so. I think it can be a great opportunity to get some alone time to focus on my work. However, I understand that there will be times when I need to interact with students or other staff members.”

12. What is the most important thing to remember when delivering products to customers?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to work with others. It also allows you to demonstrate your customer service skills, which are important for anyone working in a canteen. Your answer should include how you would interact with customers and the steps you would take to ensure they receive their food or drinks quickly.

Example: “The most important thing when delivering products to customers is making sure that I am aware of any special requests they may have. For example, if someone ordered a burger but asked for no cheese, I would make sure to check with them before placing it in the microwave so I could remove the cheese before heating it up. This ensures that the customer gets exactly what they want.”

13. Can you tell us about a time that you went above and beyond for a customer?

Employers ask this question to see if you are willing to go the extra mile for their customers. They want employees who will be friendly and helpful, so they can create a positive experience for their customers. When answering this question, think of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer or coworker.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a regular customer who would come in every day at lunchtime. One day, she came in and told me that her usual sandwich wasn’t as good as it usually was. She said she didn’t know what was wrong with it, but offered to pay for another one. I made her a new one on the house and gave her a coupon for a free meal next time she came in.”

14. How would you describe your leadership style?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your management style and how you would interact with other employees. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you used your leadership skills to help others or achieve a goal.

Example: “I believe in being an approachable leader who is always willing to listen to my team members. I think that by encouraging open communication, I can better understand the needs of my staff and create a positive work environment. In my last position as a cafeteria manager, I noticed one of my servers was having trouble keeping up with her tables. I asked her if she needed any help, and she said she could use some extra training on taking orders. I offered to give her additional training after her shift so she could focus on serving customers during lunch.”

15. What kind of tools do you use to keep track of inventory?

Canteen managers need to be organized and able to keep track of inventory. This question helps the interviewer determine how you manage your time, stay on task and organize information. Use examples from past experience that show your ability to plan ahead and use technology to help you with these tasks.

Example: “I have used a few different tools in my previous position as a canteen manager. I started out using an Excel spreadsheet but found it difficult to update regularly. So, I switched to a database program where I could enter data into multiple fields and sort by each column. It was much easier to find specific information when needed.”

16. Give an example of a time when you were able to improve upon a process or system.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you apply them in the workplace. When answering, it can be helpful to choose a specific example that shows your ability to analyze a situation and implement an effective solution.

Example: “At my last job, I noticed that we were running out of food on our salad bar too quickly. This was causing us to have to restock the salad bar multiple times throughout the day, which was wasting time and money. After talking with some coworkers, I learned that many customers would take large portions of lettuce from the salad bar without taking any toppings or other ingredients. To solve this issue, I created signs next to each topping station explaining what each ingredient was and how they could use it to create a healthy salad.”

17. What are some things you consider when setting up a new account?

This question can help the interviewer understand your organizational skills and attention to detail. Use examples from previous experiences when answering this question, as it can show how you apply these skills in a new environment.

Example: “When setting up an account for a new client, I first ask them what their budget is and then create a menu that fits within those parameters. Next, I consider the number of people they need to feed at each meal and plan out the food items accordingly. Finally, I make sure all my equipment is sanitary and ready to use before starting any service.”

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

Employers ask this question to make sure you are comfortable working independently. They want someone who can work without supervision and still get the job done. In your answer, explain that you have experience working independently and how it helped you succeed in previous roles.

Example: “I think I would be a great fit for this environment because I am used to working independently. At my last job, I was responsible for making all of my own food orders and stocking the kitchen. I also had to clean up after myself at the end of every shift. I really enjoy being able to do everything on my own.”

19. What makes Canteen different from other companies in the food service industry?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company. They want to know that you are familiar with their brand and what makes them unique. When preparing for an interview, it can be helpful to read through the job description and look at the company website. This will give you a better idea of what they value in their employees.

Example: “I think one thing that sets Canteen apart from other food service companies is its commitment to sustainability. I noticed that all of the dishes offered in the cafeteria are made using organic ingredients. Another thing that makes Canteen unique is its focus on employee satisfaction. The company offers many perks like free meals during lunchtime and flexible scheduling.”

20. What is one area where you feel you could improve as a leader?

This question can help interviewers understand your self-awareness and willingness to improve. When answering, it can be helpful to mention an area where you feel you could grow as a leader and how you plan to do so.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my communication skills with students and staff. I think that being more clear in my expectations and encouraging feedback from others would help me learn more about what my team needs. To do this, I have been taking online courses on effective communication techniques.”