The Subway Sandwich Artist’s Guide to Acing the Interview

Working at Subway as a Sandwich Artist can be a rewarding and fun job. You get to unleash your creative side while crafting delicious sandwiches. However, first you need to land the job, and that means impressing in the interview.

Interviewing for any position can induce nerves. When it’s your dream Subway gig on the line, the stakes feel even higher. Fortunately, with the right preparation and insight into the types of questions you’ll face, you can enter the interview feeling confident and ready to showcase your abilities.

In this article, we’ll provide tips directly from Subway hiring managers and Sandwich Artists themselves. You’ll learn

• The most common questions asked and how to ace your answers
• How to highlight your customer service skills
• What interviewers really want to see in your responses

Let’s get started on helping you craft responses as artful as your sandwich-making skills.

Common Subway Interview Questions

While each interviewer will have their own unique questions, there are certain key questions that come up frequently in Subway Sandwich Artist interviews:

1. Why do you want to work at Subway?

This question gets to the heart of your motivation for applying for the role. Interviewers want to understand that you have genuine interest in Subway, not just an interest in having a job.

Good response:

• Share your passion for Subway’s food, mission, or values. Talk about enjoying Subway’s sandwiches as a customer.
• Explain why the role of Sandwich Artist appeals to you specifically, rather than just needing a job. Highlight aspects like the creativity, fast pace, or customer interactions.
• Mention how Subway’s values around providing fresh, customizable food align with your own priorities.

2. What makes you a great fit for this role?

With this question, interviewers want to see that you understand the key requirements of being a stellar Sandwich Artist

Good response

• Highlight skills needed for the role like customer service, multitasking, attention to detail, speed, and efficiency. Give examples of times you demonstrated these skills.
• Talk about how you enjoy food preparation and are passionate about making quality products. Mention any related experience, even if informal.
• Emphasize your ability to stay calm under pressure and communicate effectively.

3. How would you handle an unhappy or difficult customer?

Dealing with unhappy customers is an inevitable part of working at Subway. Interviewers want to ensure you can handle these situations professionally.

Good response:

• Recognize the importance of remaining calm and being empathetic. Show you can de-escalate conflict.
• Explain how you would listen actively to understand the customer’s concerns and offer solutions, like remaking the order or offering a refund/coupon.
• Share your commitment to turn even unhappy customers into loyal, repeat customers through excellent service recovery. Give an example if you have one.

4. What is your availability? Are you available for weekends and holidays?

Subway needs staff who can handle busier shifts, so your availability is key.

Good response:

• Provide your full availability. Highlight any flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• If your availability is limited, highlight that you may be able to adjust it if needed. Also share your enthusiasm to pick up extra shifts when possible.

5. Tell me about a time you provided great customer service.

This question allows you to showcase your customer service skills.

Good response:

• Share a specific example of a time you went above and beyond for a customer, whether in a previous job or everyday life.
• Highlight how you identified the customer’s need, then took initiative to resolve their issue, leaving them happy. Mention any positive outcomes like repeat business or positive feedback.

6. Why do you want to work in the food service industry?

Interviewers screen for candidates who have passion for food service, not just any job seeker.

Good response:

• Talk about your interest in food, cooking, taking care of customers, and crafting great food experiences. Share any related hobbies, courses, or volunteer work.
• Emphasize your passion for bringing joy to customers through food. Outline why you’d find that meaningful.
• If you have previous food service experience, mention how much you enjoyed it. If not, discuss your enthusiasm to gain experience in the industry.

5 Tips for Acing Your Subway Interview

While having strong answers to common questions is key, there are other factors that contribute to interview success at Subway:

1. Research the brand – Learn about Subway’s founding, mission, menu offerings, and values. This shows your interest in the company.

2. Dress professionally – A tidy, professional appearance reinforces your work ethic and enthusiasm. Avoid casual clothes.

3. Highlight your reliability – Give examples that convey you are dependable, responsible, and hardworking. Sandwich Artists need these traits.

4. Convey friendliness – Smile, make eye contact, and have a warm tone. Subway wants staff with an inviting attitude.

5. Ask thoughtful questions – Inquiring about training, growth opportunities, or the hiring manager’s own Subway journey makes a strong impression.

Common Subway Interview Questions – Examples of Top Responses

To further help you craft winning answers, let’s look at examples of stellar responses to some other frequent Subway interview questions:

Question: What do you know about our company and products?

Good response: Subway was founded in 1965 by Fred DeLuca and Dr. Peter Buck with a vision to provide fresh, affordable, and customizable sandwiches. That same vision remains today with Subway offering an array of sandwich toppings so customers can build their perfect sub. Subway also stands out with its wide variety of 6″ and 12″ sandwiches, salads, wraps, and breakfast options. Health and nutrition are priorities too, with low-fat and low-sodium options available. Subway’s dedication to freshness and incredible variety makes it a truly unique brand.

Question: How do you handle pressure?

Good response: Working in a fast-paced environment like Subway, I understand there will be times of pressure like busy rushes. However, I thrive under pressure and enjoy the satisfaction of working efficiently while still making quality products. Specifically, I stay calm by taking a moment, focusing on one task at a time, and using my team for support. For example, in a previous serving job at a busy diner, I learned techniques to keep my cool when handling a crammed ticketing system during back-to-back shifts. This allowed me to prioritize tasks and deliver orders on time, even on hectic days.

Question: What qualities make a successful Sandwich Artist?

Good response: From my understanding, top qualities needed include:

• Customer service skills – Making friendly conversation and ensuring every customer leaves happy

• Efficiency – Working quickly while maintaining quality standards

• Organization – Keeping work area tidy for safety and productivity

• Attention to detail – Following recipes precisely and making visually appealing sandwiches

• Teamwork – Supporting coworkers, especially during high-volume times

• Enthusiasm – Bringing energy and positivity to every shift

I believe I exemplify these qualities through my previous experience providing friendly service during busy retail rushes and my stellar accuracy record in past food prep roles. Subway’s dedication to customer satisfaction strongly aligns with my own priorities.

Question: Describe a time you had a conflict at work and how you handled it.

Good response: While working as a cashier, I once had a misunderstanding with a team member over who was supposed to take their lunch break first. Instead of arguing, I listened to my coworker’s perspective and explained my own view calmly. We talked through the schedule together and found there had simply been miscommunication about when each of us was set to go on break. We resolved the issue by agreeing to communicate more clearly about the schedule going forward. This situation taught me the value of open communication, patience, and finding win-win solutions when conflicts arise. I think these skills of resolving issues constructively are so important for delivering excellent team service.

With preparation, you can feel empowered walking into your Subway interview, ready to share compelling stories and responses. Keep these tips and sample responses handy as you get ready for your upcoming interview. Show your creativity, passion, and dedication, and you’ll be wooing customers with your sandwich artistry in no time. We believe in you! Now, go ace that interview!