20 Gordon Food Service Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to food service, Gordon Food Service is one of the most trusted names in the business. If you’re looking to land a job with this company, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some specific interview questions.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common questions you’re likely to encounter in a Gordon Food Service interview, along with sample answers to help you prepare.

Gordon Food Service Interview Process

The interview process at Gordon Food Service is generally quick and efficient. In most cases, perspective employees will meet with a hiring manager, a couple members of their potential team, and another manager. The interviews are typically a mix of behavioral questions and some verbal technical questions. Overall, the experience is positive and many perspective employees report feeling welcomed by the staff.

1. What are your biggest strengths?

Gordon Food Service is looking for candidates who have strong communication skills, problem-solving abilities and attention to detail. When answering this question, highlight your strongest qualities that you feel are relevant to the position.

Example: “My biggest strength is my ability to multitask. I am able to manage many tasks at once while still maintaining quality work. In my last role as a server, I was responsible for taking orders, delivering food and handling customer complaints all at the same time. This required me to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.”

2. Do you have any experience working in a warehouse or cold storage environment?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience working in a warehouse or cold storage environment. If you do, share your previous experience and how it helped you develop skills that are transferable to this role.

Example: “I worked as a forklift operator for three years at my last job. I was responsible for moving pallets of food from one location to another within the warehouse. This position required me to be aware of my surroundings at all times because there were other forklifts operating around me. It also taught me how to work with others and communicate effectively when something went wrong.”

3. How would you handle an irate customer that was abusive to you on the phone?

Gordon Food Service is looking for employees who can handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism. This question allows you to show your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “I would first apologize for the inconvenience and then try to understand what they were upset about. I would listen carefully to their concerns and address them one by one until they are satisfied. If they continue to be abusive, I would politely tell them that if they do not stop being abusive, I will have no choice but to end the call.”

4. Have you ever worked with a large volume of orders before?

This question is a great way to see if you have experience working in a fast-paced environment. If you haven’t, it’s okay to say so and explain what your previous work experience was like.

Example: “I’ve worked with large volumes of orders before at my current job where I am the lead server. We often have long lines during peak hours, which means we need to be able to handle multiple tables at once. This has helped me develop skills that help me stay organized and prioritize tasks.”

5. Tell me about a time when you were not able to complete a task in a timely manner and how you handled it.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle challenges and setbacks. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to adapt to change and willingness to take on new responsibilities.

Example: “In my previous role as a server at a restaurant, I was responsible for taking orders from customers and delivering their food. One night, there were so many customers that it took me longer than usual to deliver everyone’s food. When I got back to the kitchen, I realized I had forgotten one customer’s order. Rather than going back out to the dining room to retrieve the meal, I decided to make the dish myself. The customer ended up enjoying her meal, and I learned an important lesson about double-checking all orders before leaving the kitchen.”

6. What is your availability based on our hours of operations?

This question is a great way to see if you are a good fit for the position. It also allows you to show your knowledge of the company’s hours and operations. When answering this question, make sure to read through the job description to ensure that you know what their current hours are.

Example: “I am available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., as well as 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. I have experience working in both day and evening shifts, so I would be happy to work any shift that Gordon Food Service needs me to.”

7. What has been your greatest career accomplishment so far?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleague and how they view their own career. It’s important to be honest, but you can also use this opportunity to highlight an accomplishment that relates to the position you’re interviewing for.

Example: “My greatest professional achievement was when I started working at my current job as a server in a restaurant. I had just graduated from college with a degree in business management, and I wanted to get some real-world experience before starting my career. I applied for a server position and got it. I worked hard every day and learned so much about customer service and food preparation. After six months of working there, I was promoted to head server.”

8. Why do you want to work for Gordon Food Service?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working for their company. It’s important to show that you’ve done some research on Gordon Food Service and can speak to what makes it unique or interesting.

Example: “I want to work for Gordon Food Service because I’m passionate about food service operations, especially those that provide healthy options. I also love working with people, so I think this position would be a great fit for me. I know Gordon Food Service has an excellent reputation for providing quality food at affordable prices.”

9. Can you tell me about a time when you made a mistake? How did you fix it?

This question is a great way to see how you respond to challenges and learn from your mistakes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a mistake that was not too serious but still shows the interviewer that you are willing to admit when you make a mistake.

Example: “I once forgot to put in an order for one of our most popular dishes at my last job. I realized my mistake right away and immediately called the vendor to place the order. Unfortunately, they were out of stock and would need to wait until the next day to deliver more food. I apologized to my manager and offered to work late to help cover the loss of revenue.”

10. Are there any aspects of this role that would be difficult for you?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are honest and willing to admit when something might be challenging for you. It also shows them that you’re aware of the challenges ahead, which can help you prepare for them. When answering this question, try to think about any aspects of the job description that you aren’t sure how you would handle.

Example: “I have never worked in an environment where I had to manage multiple locations at once. While I am confident that I could learn how to do so, it may take me some time to get used to managing employees across different locations. I am eager to learn more about Gordon Food Service’s management software and processes.”

11. Do you have experience driving a truck on city streets and highways?

If you’re applying for a position as a driver, the interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience driving in different conditions. If you don’t have any experience driving trucks, explain what type of vehicle you’ve driven and how it compares to a truck.

Example: “I haven’t had the opportunity to drive a truck on city streets or highways, but I do have experience driving large vehicles like 18-wheelers. In my last job, I drove a delivery van that carried food from restaurants to customers’ homes. The roads were mostly clear, so I didn’t need to use special equipment to maneuver the van.”

12. What do you think we need more of at Gordon Food Service?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and how you can contribute to its success. When answering this question, make sure to highlight any skills or qualities that are important for employees at Gordon Food Service.

Example: “I think we need more innovation in our food service operations. I’ve noticed that many of our clients have special dietary needs, and I believe it would be beneficial if we could offer more options for those customers. For example, I worked with a client who was allergic to nuts. We were able to create a nut-free menu for them by using different spices and ingredients.”

13. We are looking to hire individuals who will represent us well. How would you represent us if given the opportunity?

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are aware of the company’s brand and how you would represent it. When answering this question, make sure to mention specific aspects of Gordon Food Service that you admire or find interesting.

Example: “I have always admired Gordon Food Service for its commitment to quality food service. I believe that every customer deserves high-quality meals no matter where they are eating. If given the opportunity to work here, I would do my best to ensure that all customers were satisfied with their meal. I am also very committed to upholding the safety standards set by Gordon Food Service.”

14. Would you say you are better at problem-solving or creative thinking?

This question is designed to help the interviewer understand your strengths and how you would apply them in a Gordon Food Service environment. Your answer should highlight your ability to solve problems, but also show that you can be creative when needed.

Example: “I believe I am better at problem-solving than creative thinking. However, this doesn’t mean I don’t have any creativity. In fact, my ability to think critically allows me to come up with new ideas and solutions to existing issues. For example, during my last job as a server, I noticed that customers were having trouble reading the menu. So, I suggested adding larger fonts to make it easier for everyone.”

15. General Motors is a company that emphasizes innovation. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when trying to be innovative?

General Motors is a company that values innovation, and they want to know what you think about it. They are looking for someone who can help them innovate in their food service operations. When answering this question, try to give examples of how you have been innovative in the past.

Example: “I believe that when trying to be innovative, it’s important to remember that there is no one right way to do things. You should always be open to new ideas and willing to try something different. I’ve found that being flexible and creative helps me come up with some great solutions.”

16. Have you had difficulty balancing multiple projects at once? If yes, how did you overcome them?

Gordon Food Service is a large company that requires employees to work on multiple projects at once. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience with this type of environment and how you can contribute your skills to the organization.

Example: “In my previous position, I was responsible for managing all aspects of our social media accounts. This included creating content, responding to comments and questions, monitoring analytics and more. It was challenging to balance everything while also completing other tasks, but I learned to prioritize my time so I could complete everything by deadlines.”

17. What is your past experience as an assistant manager?

Assistant managers are responsible for assisting the manager in their daily tasks. They also have to ensure that all employees are performing their duties and responsibilities according to company standards. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your past experience as an assistant manager, so you can explain how it prepared you for this role.

Example: “In my last position as an assistant manager, I was responsible for scheduling shifts and breaks for employees, ensuring they were following food safety regulations and maintaining customer satisfaction. I also had to make sure that servers were meeting sales goals and handling customer complaints appropriately. These tasks helped me develop skills that will help me succeed as a restaurant manager.”

18. Give us an example of a time when you went above and beyond for one of your customers.

Gordon Food Service is looking for employees who are passionate about customer service. They want to know that you’re willing to go the extra mile to make sure your customers have a positive experience with their company.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a regular customer who would come in every day and order the same thing. One day, she came in and ordered her usual meal but said it was taking longer than normal to get her food. She asked if there was anything we could do to speed up the process. I went into the kitchen and helped expedite her meal so she could eat before leaving for work.”

19. Do you like working independently or with a team?

Gordon Food Service is a large company that offers many opportunities for advancement. They want to know if you’re willing to work independently or as part of a team. Your answer should show your willingness to do both, depending on the situation.

Example: “I enjoy working with others and I’m very comfortable being independent. In my last position, I worked in a small restaurant where we had a tight-knit staff. We all helped each other out when needed, but I was also able to complete tasks without help from anyone else. At Gordon Food Service, I would be happy to work either way.”

20. Why should we choose you over another candidate?

This question is a great opportunity to show your confidence and enthusiasm for the position. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight some of your most relevant skills or experiences that relate to the job description.

Example: “I am confident that I would make an excellent addition to Gordon Food Service because of my previous experience working in food service operations. In my last role as a server at a restaurant, I learned how to work with customers from all backgrounds and handle any challenges they may have had. This experience has prepared me well for this position, where I know I will need to provide excellent customer service to students, faculty members and hospital patients.”