The Old Chicago hiring process generally only takes a few days to complete. Applicants begin by submitting the required forms to a hiring manager. The interview process usually consists of several one-on-one question and answer sessions with recruitment personnel. Most interviews last between 20 and 30 minutes.
People who are interviewing you may start with simple questions like “Tell me about yourself” or “Why do you want to work for Old Chicago?” They may also ask questions that are specific to the job. People who want to work as a server may have to answer questions about customer service, like “Tell me about a time when you dealt with a difficult customer.” How did you resolve it?” and “What makes an excellent server?”.
Getting hired at Old Chicago can be competitive, but going in prepared for the interview puts you at an advantage. With some practice and insight into the types of questions you’ll get asked, you can impress your interviewers and land the job. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about interviewing successfully at Old Chicago.
About Old Chicago
Old Chicago is a popular pizza chain with over 100 locations across the United States. Founded in 1976 in Boulder, Colorado, they specialize in Chicago-style deep dish pizza along with a menu of craft beers, cocktails, and more. Old Chicago has a lively sports bar atmosphere and sponsors local sports teams and events. Employees often cite the fun working environment and flexible scheduling as major perks.
As a large chain restaurant, Old Chicago offers both part time and full time jobs with growth opportunities into management roles. They hire servers, hosts, cooks, bartenders, and support positions like bussers, dishwashers, and expediters. Experience in the restaurant industry is valued, but not always required depending on the role.
Common Old Chicago Interview Questions
While specific questions will vary based on past employee reports there are some frequently asked questions to expect for Old Chicago interviews
Questions about Availability
Old Chicago will want to make sure your availability matches their busy opening hours evenings and weekends before extending a job offer. Expect to be asked questions like:
- What is your availability for work?
- How many hours per week are you looking for?
- Can you work evenings, weekends, and holidays?
Be ready to give specifics on the hours you can work each day and any days you need off. Having wide open availability will give you a boost.
Scenario-Based Questions
Situational and behavioral interview questions that test your judgement in restaurant scenarios are very common. Come prepared for questions like:
- A customer complains that their pizza is burnt. How would you handle this?
- You notice your co-worker giving free drinks to their friends without charging them. What would you do?
- How would you deal with an angry customer yelling at you over a mistake?
Use real examples from past jobs when possible and explain the steps you took to fix issues and delight customers. Emphasize teamwork, professionalism and staying calm under pressure.
Experience and Skills Questions
Interviewers will want to understand your work history and relevant skills, especially in customer service roles. You may be asked:
- Tell me about your previous jobs and responsibilities.
- Why do you want to work at Old Chicago specifically?
- How does your experience make you qualified for this role?
- What do you think makes you a strong candidate for this position?
- How do you ensure customers have an enjoyable dining experience?
Highlight any food service or hospitality experience. Focus on skills like multitasking, organization, ability to work quickly and positive attitude.
Questions About Old Chicago
Show you’ve done research on the company by studying their website and reading recent news. Expect basic questions like:
- Why do you want to work for Old Chicago?
- What interests you about our restaurant?
- What do you know about our company culture and values?
Mention specifics like their community support, lively atmosphere, and your love of pizza to show your enthusiasm for Old Chicago!
7 Tips for Acing Your Old Chicago Interview
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Dress professionally. A clean, neat appearance shows you take the interview seriously. Avoid overly casual clothes – business casual is best.
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Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Confirm the interview time and location ahead of time and plan your commute. Arriving early prevents unexpected delays from causing you to be late.
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Study the menu. Glance over the Old Chicago menu online so you can speak knowledgeably about their offerings if asked.
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Research the company. Check their website and social media to learn about their brand, culture and any recent news.
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Practice interview questions. Rehearse your answers to common questions aloud to polish your responses.
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Bring copies of your resume. Offer interviewers a clean copy of your resume even if you submitted one during the application process.
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Send a thank you note. Follow up with a thank you email emphasizing your interest in the job.
How Old Chicago Interviews Candidates
The interview process at Old Chicago typically involves:
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An initial phone or in-person screening interview with the hiring manager or senior employee at the location. This short interview determines if you will move forward.
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One or two follow-up interviews held in-person at the restaurant location. These 30-60 minute behavioral and situational interviews go more in depth into your qualifications. You may meet with the General Manager or a panel of employees.
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Working interviews for some back-of-house roles like cooks or dishwashers may be required before extending an offer. This on-site paid trial shift assesses your skills.
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External applicants may need to pass background and drug screenings before being officially hired.
The process is fairly standard across Old Chicago locations. How many interviews required depends on the GM. The overall timeline can vary from under a week for urgent hires to several weeks for non-urgent roles. Be patient and prompt in following up if you don’t hear back right away.
Preparing for the interview questions specific to Old Chicago will give you a leg up on landing the job. Highlight your customer service skills, restaurant experience, and eagerness to be part of a lively team. With the right preparation and a genuine passion for the brand, you can impress hiring managers and launch an enjoyable career with Old Chicago. Use these tips and practice materials to ace your upcoming interview!
Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom interview
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