20 Compass Group Interview Questions and Answers

If you’re interviewing for a job at Compass Group, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the food and support services industry. You may also be asked questions about your ability to provide innovative dining solutions, as well as your knowledge of Compass Group’s products and services. To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample Compass Group interview questions and answers.

Compass Group Interview Process

The interview process at Compass Group is generally quick and easy. Most positions only require one or two interviews, and the interviewer(s) are typically very friendly and welcoming. However, some positions (such as barista and waiter/waitress) may require a more extensive interview process. For these positions, you can expect to answer questions about your experience and availability, as well as general competency and behavioral questions.

1. Why are you interested in working at Compass Group?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your motivations for applying to Compass Group. Use this opportunity to show that you have done some research on the company and understand what it offers its employees.

Example: “I am interested in working at Compass Group because of the innovative dining solutions you provide. I love food, so I find the idea of helping people enjoy their meals very rewarding. I also like how Compass Group focuses on employee satisfaction. Your commitment to providing a positive work environment is something I value highly.”

2. What is your previous experience with food preparation and serving?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and experience needed for this role. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your abilities in food preparation, customer service and teamwork.

Example: “In my last position as a server at a local restaurant, I was responsible for taking orders, serving meals and drinks and answering any questions customers had about our menu items. I also assisted with cleaning tables and washing dishes after each meal. In my time there, I learned how to multitask while maintaining excellent customer service.”

3. Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer situation. How did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a similar situation in the future and if you have any experience with it.

Example: “In my last position, I had a regular client who was very demanding. He often called me at odd hours of the day or night to complain about something he didn’t like. One time, he called me while I was on vacation to tell me that his food wasn’t hot enough. I calmly explained to him that we were not open for business during his call and that I could do nothing about it until I returned from vacation. After that, he never called again.”

4. Are you comfortable handling cash transactions?

This question is a good way to determine if you have experience handling cash transactions. Cash transactions are common in the food service industry, so employers want to make sure that their employees can handle this responsibility. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about your experience with cash transactions and emphasize any skills or training you may have.

Example: “I am comfortable handling cash transactions. In my previous position as a server at a restaurant, I was responsible for counting out change and making sure we had enough money on hand to cover our sales. I also completed some additional training on how to properly count out large amounts of cash.”

5. Do you have any managerial or supervisory experience?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience managing or supervising a team. If you do, share your experiences and how they helped you develop as a leader. If you don’t have managerial or supervisory experience, you can still answer this question by sharing other leadership roles you’ve held in the past.

Example: “I currently manage a small group of servers at my current job. In this role, I am responsible for scheduling shifts, training new employees and ensuring that all staff members are following company policies and procedures. This has given me valuable management experience that I hope to apply to this position.”

6. Tell me about a time when you had to effectively communicate a new process, policy, or procedure.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you communicate with your team and the public. Use examples from previous work experiences to explain how you effectively communicated a new process, policy or procedure to your team members or customers.

Example: “At my last job, I had to implement a new food safety program that included more frequent inspections of our facilities. This change required employees to wash their hands more often than before and also increased the frequency of cleaning in some areas of the kitchen. Employees were initially resistant to this change, but I explained why it was important for the health and safety of our customers.”

7. Provide an example of a time when you had to work quickly to meet a deadline.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you had to work quickly and the steps you took to complete your task in a timely manner. This can show employers that you are capable of working under pressure and how you might handle similar situations at their company.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for preparing food for large events. One day, I received notice that we would be catering a wedding with over 200 guests. The bride called me later that day asking if we could add more vegetarian options to our menu. I immediately began calling other vendors to see if they could help us prepare additional meals. Luckily, one of our regular suppliers agreed to make some extra meals for us. We were able to meet all of the bride’s requests and still serve all of the guests.”

8. What would you do if you noticed that one of your team members was not following proper sanitation procedures?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you’re willing to speak up when necessary. In your answer, try to show that you value cleanliness and are willing to take action if someone on your team isn’t following proper procedures.

Example: “If I noticed a team member not washing their hands or using improper food handling techniques, I would first approach them privately to let them know about my concerns. If they didn’t change their behavior after our conversation, I would report it to my supervisor so that we could address the issue together.”

9. Give us an example of a time when you worked on a successful teamwork project.

Teamwork is an important skill to have in the workplace, and employers ask this question to see if you are a good team player. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how your teamwork helped achieve success.

Example: “At my previous job, I worked on a project with two other employees who were responsible for marketing and sales. We had to come up with new ideas for social media posts that would increase our brand awareness. My coworker and I came up with some great content ideas, but we needed help from my coworker to create them. By working together, we were able to successfully complete the project.”

10. How well can you manage a large group of people?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and ability to work with a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific examples of how you managed a large group in the past.

Example: “In my previous position as a manager at a restaurant, I had to manage a team of 20 employees. This included hiring new staff members, training them on our processes and ensuring they were meeting company standards. I also had to delegate tasks to each employee so that we could meet customer needs efficiently. In my current role as a server, I have learned more about what it takes to run a successful business.”

11. When faced with a difficult problem, how do you determine the best solution?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your problem-solving skills and how you approach challenges. Use examples from previous experiences to highlight your critical thinking, analytical and decision-making abilities.

Example: “When faced with a difficult problem, I first assess all of my options before making a final decision. In my last position as an event planner, I had to find a new venue for a large corporate dinner after the original location fell through. After speaking with several venues, I decided on one that could accommodate the number of guests we were expecting while also providing quality food and service.”

12. We want our employees to be able to work independently. Would you say that this is something you’re good at?

This question is a great way to determine how well you can work independently. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you’re willing to take on more responsibility and learn new things.

Example: “I’m very good at working independently because I enjoy learning new things. In my previous position, I was often given the opportunity to try out new recipes or techniques for preparing food. This helped me develop my skills as a chef and gave me the confidence to make decisions when needed.”

13. What is your approach to dealing with an upset customer?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a challenging situation and if you have the ability to diffuse it. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.

Example: “I believe that every customer is important, so I always make sure to treat them with respect. If they are upset, I listen carefully to what they have to say and do my best to resolve their issue. I find that most customers just need someone to hear them out and help them feel heard. I also use active listening techniques to show them that I am paying attention to what they’re saying.”

14. Have you ever had to train someone before? If so, what was their reaction?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential colleague’s leadership skills. It can also help you understand how they might fit into the company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to share an example of when you trained someone and what their reaction was.

Example: “When I first started working at my previous job, I had to train a new employee on how to use our inventory system. At first, she seemed overwhelmed by all of the information that I was giving her. However, after explaining everything in detail, she understood the process much better. She even thanked me for taking the time to explain things so thoroughly.”

15. Provide an example of when you were proactive in solving a problem.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills. They want to know that you can use your critical thinking and analytical skills to solve problems on your own. In your answer, explain how you used your problem-solving skills to find a solution.

Example: “At my last job, I noticed that the kitchen staff was running low on supplies. This meant we couldn’t prepare all of our meals for the day. I spoke with the manager about it, and they told me that they would order more supplies later in the week. However, I didn’t feel comfortable waiting until then. So, I went into the supply closet and found some extra food items. We were able to serve all of our customers that day.”

16. Are there any situations where you think it’s okay to bend the rules?

This question is designed to assess your moral compass and how you make decisions. It’s important to show that you have a strong sense of right and wrong, but also that you’re willing to consider the circumstances when making tough choices.

Example: “I think it’s okay to bend the rules if there are extenuating circumstances or if it’s in the best interest of others. For example, I worked with a client who was very particular about their food presentation. One day they were out sick, so we had to send someone else in their place. The substitute didn’t care as much about presentation, so we bent the rule and served them something different than what they usually ordered.”

17. Tell us about a time when you made a suggestion to improve the way your company does business.

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your leadership skills and how you approach problem-solving. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you made a suggestion that led to positive results.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that we were running low on supplies during lunchtime. This was causing some customers to have to wait for their food or drinks. I approached my manager with my concerns and suggested that we hire another server to help alleviate the issue. My manager agreed and hired an additional server, which helped reduce the amount of time customers had to wait for their orders.”

18. We value strong communication skills here at Compass Group. Can you tell us about a time when you had to effectively present information to a large crowd?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your public speaking skills and how you might interact with customers or other Compass Group employees.

Example: “I’ve had to give presentations in front of large crowds before, but I find that my best skill is one-on-one communication. When I was working as a server at a restaurant, I noticed that some guests were having trouble understanding our menu. So, I offered to walk around the dining room and explain each dish to any tables who needed it.”

19. What do you know about Compass Group?

This question is a great way to show your research skills and knowledge of the company. Before you go into an interview, make sure you read through the job description and familiarize yourself with the company’s mission statement, values and goals. You can also look at their website for more information about what they do.

Example: “I know that Compass Group is one of the largest food service companies in the world. I’ve heard that it has over 500 locations across the globe and serves millions of meals every year. I’m excited to learn more about this company and how I can contribute to its success.”

20. Do you have any experience in employee training?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience in a similar role. If you do, they may ask you to describe your previous training experiences and how they helped you develop as an employee. If you don’t have any experience with employee training, you can talk about other ways you’ve developed new skills or taught others.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for training new employees on our company’s policies and procedures. This included teaching them how to use our computer systems and explaining our safety protocols. I found that this responsibility helped me learn more about the company myself and gave me valuable insight into what it takes to be successful in this industry.”