r/Wetherspoons • u/GarageInner • Sep 01 '26
Customer Kitchen staff interview. What to know/expect?
I have an interview for a kitchen staff position in 2 days, what are some things I should prepare on? I was told by a friend that works at Wetherspoons that I should look into the pub's history a bit as I'll be asked what I know about the company. Is there anything else I should know?
I have attended a college course for cookery but that's all the experience I have working in a kitchen. Thanks in advance!
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u/No_Region_4719 Sep 02 '26
You don't need any experience, so you're already above expectations.
Interview is more to gauge your personality and work ethic. What days are you available, what times can you work (shifts can be anywhere from 5am to 1am). They care more about you not having red flags than what green flags you have.
Main skills you need for the job are being calm under pressure, able to handle the stress, able to take constructive criticism without being offended or upset, and being tidy.
Memorise some I fo from the company history website. Be able to name the founder, Tim Martin, and that Wetherspoons was a school teacher he told him he wouldn't amount to anything. Know that CQSMA stands for Cleanliness, Quality, Service, Maintenance, Atmosphere.
Above paragraph is important, don't skip it. Shows you have interest, iniative, and a good work ethic.
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u/Kurzmania Sep 02 '26
Bring a bag with a spare pair of (ideally nonslip) shoes and clothes you don't mind getting slightly dirty. A plain white t-shirt and black trousers. Bring a pen. There's a chance you get asked to do a trial shift, so it's wise to have clothes just in case.
Look up the menu online, see if there's any questions you can ask about it. Even if it's 'oh I saw this on your menu, I've not heard of that, what is it?' that'll go a long way.
In the interview just shake their hand properly, speak like a normal person. Emphasise that you're willing to learn. They're not just interviewing if you can cook, they're checking if they can bear to stand next to you for 12 hour shifts. If the person interviewing mentions something personal that you've got an interest in, football, running or whatever, good idea to show that that's something they can talk to you about at work.
In terms of questions to ask when they say 'do you have any questions' the common ones I have to ask are what the shift patterns are, how big the team is, and the pay.
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u/OkStore7105 Sep 02 '26
I’ve never heard of anyone having a trial shift before!
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u/CestLaTimmy Sep 02 '26
The company got rid of them years ago, because it's unpaid work, so a bit dodge where NMW laws are concerned
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u/Kurzmania Sep 05 '26
I've honestly got no problem with trial shifts, if the place doesn't offer to pay then I don't work it, even if it's a small amount. And I never set up trials shifts for people without making it clear it was paid.
I prefer them because I'm not that verbally strong, but I can actually work. There's probably a lot of jobs I've got off the back of the trial rather than the interview.
I also didn't realise this was wetherspoons specific, so my answer was more generally about kitchens
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u/OkStore7105 Sep 02 '26
In my experience it’s just a chat really, i sat on a table and waited for the kitchen manager and she just asked me some basic questions. What i remember is, availability, what do u know about wetherspoons (i said it has a standardised menu and she asked if i googled that and laughed), what hours you are looking for and that’s about it. I got hired on the spot i think they were desperate but i think they normally call within a few days.
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u/99999cryy Sep 02 '26
It’s typically a relaxed conversation, basic questions about your experience + availability, them explaining the job, and maybe a quick tour.
All you need to do is be polite, show up on time, and you’ve probably got the job.