20 Gate Gourmet Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a job with Gate Gourmet, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the catering and food service industry. The interviewer will also want to know about your ability to handle customer service inquiries and complaints, as well as your knowledge of food safety and sanitation procedures.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers that you can use to practice your responses.

Gate Gourmet Interview Process

The interview process at Gate Gourmet can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like Food Preparer and Picker/Packer, the interview process is relatively short and simple. You may have an automatic phone interview followed by a meeting with HR to review your CV. If you are selected, you will be asked to come in for an orientation. For other positions, like Continuous Improvement Manager, the interview process may take up to a month. You will likely have a phone interview followed by an in-person interview with management. You may also be asked to participate in a group activity or take a test.

1. Are you willing to work in a food production environment?

Gate Gourmet is a food production company, and the interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable working in this type of environment. If you have experience working in a similar setting, share your thoughts on what it was like. If you don’t have any experience, explain why you would be willing to work in such an environment.

Example: “I worked as a chef for many years before I became a recruiter, so I’m very familiar with working in a food production environment. In fact, I really enjoyed being able to create new dishes and experiment with different ingredients. While I am happy in my current role, if given the opportunity, I would love to return to a kitchen.”

2. What do you know about us? (Gate Gourmet)

Gate Gourmet is a leading global provider of airline catering and provisioning services. The company has been in business for over 50 years, and it’s one of the largest providers of airline catering services in the world. Gate Gourmet provides food service to more than 200 airlines around the globe.

When you’re asked this question, your goal should be to show that you’ve done some research on the company and are familiar with its history and current operations. You can also use this opportunity to demonstrate your interest in working for Gate Gourmet by asking questions about the company.

Example: “I know that Gate Gourmet was founded in Switzerland in 1962 and now operates in over 100 locations worldwide. I’m impressed by the fact that Gate Gourmet has won numerous awards for excellence in customer service and quality control. I would love to work for such an innovative and successful company.”

3. Do you have any experience working with strict deadlines?

Gate Gourmet is a fast-paced environment that requires employees to work under pressure. The interviewer wants to know if you can handle the stress of working in such an environment and how you will react when faced with tight deadlines.

Example: “I have worked as a freelance writer for several years, so I am used to meeting deadlines. However, I prefer to start my assignments well ahead of time to avoid last-minute rush. In my previous job, I was responsible for writing content for the company’s website. I would usually write at least two articles per week, which meant I had to meet weekly deadlines. I always made sure to plan my schedule ahead of time so I could complete my tasks on time.”

4. Tell me about your leadership style.

Gate Gourmet is a global company, so you may be asked to lead others in your role. Your interviewer wants to know how you would motivate and inspire your team members. Use examples from previous positions where you’ve had to manage or direct other employees.

Example: “I believe that effective leadership requires trust and respect. I try to create an open environment where my team can feel comfortable asking questions or sharing ideas. I also make it clear that I value their opinions and contributions. In the past, I have been able to increase employee morale by listening to their concerns and making sure they understand what’s expected of them.”

5. How would you deal with an employee that was not following company policy?

Gate Gourmet is a global company, and as such, it has many policies in place to ensure the safety of its customers. An interviewer may ask this question to see how you would handle an employee who was not following one of these policies. In your answer, try to show that you understand the importance of adhering to company policy and that you are willing to enforce those policies if necessary.

Example: “I have worked for companies with strict policies before, so I know how important they can be. If I were managing an employee who wasn’t following a policy, I would first speak with them about their actions. If they continued to break the policy after our conversation, I would take appropriate action, including terminating their employment.”

6. As a customer service representative, how would you handle an angry customer or employee?

Gate Gourmet is a customer service-oriented company, so it’s important that you can handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism. Use examples from your previous experience to show the interviewer how you would respond to an angry customer or employee.

Example: “I have had to deal with upset customers in my past position as a call center representative for a large retail store. I always made sure to listen to their concerns and offer solutions to help them feel better about our services. In this situation, I also offered to speak to the manager on their behalf if they wanted me to escalate the issue.”

7. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

Gate Gourmet is looking for candidates who can demonstrate their value and skills. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you have the necessary experience and qualifications for the position. You should also highlight your unique qualities or how you would be a valuable asset to Gate Gourmet.

Example: “I am an experienced flight attendant with five years of experience in the industry. I know what it takes to provide excellent customer service and ensure passengers are comfortable on flights. I’m also highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me a great candidate for this role. I understand the importance of following procedures and regulations when working as part of a team.”

8. How would you describe yourself?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s personality and values. Gate Gourmet wants employees who are honest, hardworking and passionate about their work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include specific examples of how you’ve demonstrated these qualities in your previous roles.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person with a passion for helping others succeed. In my last role as a project manager at XYZ Company, I noticed that one of my team members was struggling to meet her deadlines. I asked her if she needed any help or advice, and she told me she was having trouble prioritizing her tasks. I created a new system for her where she could list all of her tasks by importance and due date. She thanked me for my help and ended up getting promoted two months later.”

9. Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult person, what did you do?

Gate Gourmet is a service industry, and you may have to interact with customers who are upset or angry. Employers ask this question to make sure that you can handle difficult situations and remain calm. In your answer, try to show that you can be empathetic and use conflict resolution skills.

Example: “I once had a customer who was very upset because they didn’t receive their meal on time. I listened to them calmly and apologized for the inconvenience. Then, I explained how our system works and showed them the flight’s catering schedule. They were still unhappy, so I offered to give them a discount on their next order. After that, they seemed much happier.”

10. We want our employees to be able to work independently. Would this type of position fit you well?

Gate Gourmet wants to know if you can work independently and how you feel about it. This is a great opportunity for you to show your confidence in your ability to complete tasks on time and without supervision.

Example: “I am very comfortable working independently, especially when I have clearly defined goals and expectations. In my last position, I was responsible for ordering all of the food for our company’s events. I enjoyed being able to plan out menus and order supplies without having to check with anyone else.”

11. What is the most important thing to remember when dealing with customers?

Gate Gourmet’s customers are airlines, and the interviewer will want to know that you understand how important it is to treat them well. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you value customer service.

Example: “I believe the most important thing when dealing with customers is to be friendly and helpful at all times. I always make sure to greet my customers in a positive manner and offer help or assistance whenever they need it. In my last role, I had a customer who was having trouble finding an item on their menu. I spent five minutes looking through the entire list of items until I found what they were looking for.”

12. How do you deal with stress?

Gate Gourmet employees often work in high-pressure environments, so employers ask this question to make sure you have strategies for managing stress. In your answer, share a few ways that you’ve found helpful in the past and explain why they help you feel more calm and focused.

Example: “I find it helpful to take short breaks throughout my day to do some deep breathing exercises or go for a walk outside. I also try to schedule time each week to meet with friends or family members to talk about things other than work. These activities help me relax and recharge so I can return to work feeling refreshed.”

13. Can you tell me about a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward. How did you approach the problem?

Gate Gourmet is looking for employees who can think critically and solve problems. This question helps them determine how you approach a problem that requires critical thinking to find the best solution.

Example: “I once had to help my team figure out why our inventory was off by $10,000. We were using an automated system at the time, so we couldn’t just look at the numbers and see what was wrong. I started by asking everyone on the team if they remembered taking anything out of the warehouse or putting anything in the trash. After no one could remember doing either, I asked if anyone knew someone else who worked there. That’s when I found out about the new employee who didn’t know where everything went.”

14. How comfortable are you answering phone calls and dealing with the general public?

Gate Gourmet employees often have to answer phone calls from customers and the general public. The interviewer wants to know if you are comfortable with this type of work, as it is a part of the job. If you have experience answering phones or dealing with the public, mention that in your response.

Example: “I am very comfortable answering phones and talking to people on the phone. In my previous position, I was responsible for taking customer orders over the phone. I also had to deal with upset customers sometimes, so I learned how to handle these situations professionally.”

15. Give me an example of when you demonstrated creativity in the workplace.

Gate Gourmet is looking for employees who can be innovative and creative in their work. This question helps them determine if you have the skills to do so. When answering this question, think of a time when you used your creativity to solve a problem or come up with an idea that helped your team achieve its goals.

Example: “At my last job, I was tasked with coming up with new ideas for our catering menu. I decided to hold a brainstorming session with all of my coworkers. We came up with many different ideas for new meals and snacks we could serve on flights. After narrowing down the list, we voted on which ones we liked best. The company ended up using several of our suggestions.”

16. Tell me about a time where you worked on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

Gate Gourmet is a global company that requires its employees to work well with others. This question helps the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether or not you can collaborate effectively with your team members.

Example: “In my last position, I worked on a project where we had to create new recipes for our clients. My coworker and I disagreed about which ingredients would be best for each recipe. We talked through our disagreements and came up with a compromise. In the end, we created some of the most delicious dishes in the company.”

17. Gate Gourmet is a fast paced environment. Do you think you could adapt quickly to that kind of situation?

Gate Gourmet is a fast-paced environment, and the interviewer wants to make sure you can adapt quickly. This question also helps them understand your personality and how you might fit in with their team.

Example: “I have worked in a fast-paced environment before, so I know that it’s important to stay organized and prioritize tasks. I am confident that I could adapt to this kind of work environment.”

18. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

Gate Gourmet is looking for candidates who are honest about their strengths and weaknesses. This question helps them determine if you can be honest with your answers, which is an important quality in a team member. When answering this question, try to focus on one strength and one weakness that you’re actively working to improve.

Example: “My greatest strength would have to be my attention to detail. I am very organized and always make sure everything is done correctly. However, I also know that there’s always room for improvement. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on the details that I forget to look at the big picture. I’m currently taking steps to work on this by practicing mindfulness exercises.”

19. How much notice would you need if you were offered the job today?

Gate Gourmet is a global company, and they may need you to start work quickly. They want to know that you can start on time if offered the job. You should answer honestly about how much notice you would need to give your current employer.

Example: “I am currently employed at a local restaurant as a server. I have been here for two years, so I would need at least one month’s notice to give my employer. If I were offered this position today, I could start in three weeks.”

20. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Gate Gourmet is a growing company, and they want to know that you’re looking for long-term employment. They also want to make sure you’re committed to the job by asking about your future plans. When answering this question, be honest about what you see yourself doing in five years. If you don’t have any specific goals or aspirations, talk about how you hope to grow with Gate Gourmet.

Example: “I plan on being an integral part of Gate Gourmet’s success. I’m excited to continue working here as we expand our services and reach new clients. In five years, I’d like to be managing my own team of drivers.”