Searching for your first job can be stressful. Your CV has no work experience to brag about and you urgently need this job. Well, here are some tips on how to get a fast food job with no experience.
Talk about you - what makes you the perfect candidate?
When you're applying for a job with no relevant work experience, you need to show off your personality. Particularly in fast food, excellent customer service is a must and if you can show the interviewer that you're happy, polite and considerate, then these are positive traits, a fast food manager and customers would appreciate.
At your interview, your interviewer will want to know more about you. Tell them about your hobbies and other activities you do outside work. Interviewers are looking for people who are proactive and social. If you're in sports clubs or volunteer, tell them about it.
When you don't have much work experience, you need to show you have an interesting personality and you have a willingness to work.
Do you have any relevant qualifications?
Just because you don't have work experience, doesn't mean you cannot talk about your qualifications. Do you have a natural flair with mathematics, that can be useful at the cash counter, or perhaps, you've recently completed a culinary course? Any food experience is beneficial, as it can show your knowledge about cooking and food hygiene.
Show you know the brand
One of the best tips for getting a fast food job with no work experience, is to know about the brand. For example, if you wanted to work in McDonalds, it's important to do some research beforehand.
- When did the first McDonalds open?
- What promotions are they currently running?
- Have they recently introduced some new burgers or meals?
Your interviewer will want to know how well you know the brand and by showing off your knowledge, it shows you're keen to work there and you've spent the time to prepare for the interview.
Check out these fast food innovations that have been introduced.
Be flexible
One of the most important things fast food managers are looking for are employees with flexibility. If you're able to work most days, evenings and weekends, you'll have a higher chance of getting the job. More fast food restaurants are open later (while some, are 24/7) so having flexibility on the hours and times you work can help you get the job.
You may have to work three months with late shifts but the longer you're there, the more likely your manager will give you shift patterns you prefer.
If you live nearby, tell them
Along with being flexible, knowing that you live nearby (like 10/15 minutes away) means managers will be able to rely on you to work overtime or later shifts. This also means you're more reliable. Fast food restaurants are open most days of the year, even during bad weather. Managers need employees they can rely on to get into work.
Prepare for the interview
Where many people fail, when applying for a job without any experience, is they don't put any effort into preparing for the interview.
Understand what the job involves and what responsibilities you'll have.
It's important to dress smartly. By wearing smart clothes, you can show the interviewer you care about your appearance and you will look smart at work. In fast food restaurants, customer assistants and waiters are expected to wear slip-resistant work shoes. These shoes help reduce slips, trips and falls at work.
At Shoes For Crews (Europe) Ltd. we design shoes for food service staff. We combine comfort, safety and support to provide the best shoes for work.
You can also prepare for your interview by researching what interview questions you could be expected to get and prepare answers. Don't be surprised if you hear questions like:
- How would your friends describe you?
- Do you eat at our restaurant? What is your favourite meal?
- What are your strengths? And what are your weaknesses?
Do you want more interview questions (with answers)? Then download our free interview guide
Get prepared for your interview and increase your chances of getting the job. Good luck!