Checkers Drive-In Interview Questions & Tips

Where to Find Checkers Drive-In Jobs

The Checkers Drive-In hiring process generally takes a week to complete, even for careers in management. Most locations post jobs as needed and receive a number of employee referrals for vacancies.

Timetables

Workers wait an average of two or three days to hear back about scheduling a job interview. Applicants visit Checkers Drive-In locations onsite to interview for available jobs. A single interview proves typical for the hiring process. Additional job interviews may occur as some Checkers franchises deviate from the standard interview methods used by the nationwide fast food chain.

Interview Formats and Common Questions

Applicants begin Checkers Drive-In interviews by providing brief personal introductions. The interviews then move on to employment history and reasons for seeking available jobs. Potential interview questions may include: "Are there any specific reasons you want to work in fast-food?", "Do you thrive in fast-paced and customer-oriented work settings?", and "What does loyalty in the fast-food industry mean to you?"

What Makes a Successful Candidate?

Successful candidates enjoy working with food as well as the general public in intensive and detail-oriented settings. Job hopefuls need to possess sound work ethics and the ability to move quickly in times of extreme demand. As a predominantly carryout fast food restaurant, the popular chain looks for highly motivated individuals able to keep up with the flows of business while maintaining facilities during down times. Interviews review candidate abilities in such areas. Common dress for aspiring team members and managers include appropriate casual to business-casual clothing. Checkers Drive-In also encourages formal attire; however, applicant dress does not necessarily affect eventual hiring decisions.

Checkers Drive-In Cashier Interview Video

Video Transcript

Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Checkers Drive-In Employee: My job title was a cashier and sandwich builder. So, I basically had work my way up to being a cashier. I started off preparing sandwiches. I had to memorize all the sandwiches, learn how to make them, and make them correctly. Then, I worked my way up to learning cash, which was where I would sell things, talk to customers. I give them good, quality food and explain to them what we do at Checkers and how we make their food.

Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Checkers Drive-In Employee: It was a cool, relaxing environment. At times, it would get hectic and very fast paced and very chaotic. But at times, it could get a little fun. It was an experience.

Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
Checkers Drive-In Employee: A typical work day at Rally’s is you clock in, then you look at the chart and see where you’re placed because you might have done sandwiches, or depending on the manager of the shift, where they want to place you – even if you haven’t been trained – that’s where they’re going to put you. You have to just learn it. So you look at the chart, see where your name is, which is a number, and that represents what you have to do when you’re not busy. The chart provides you with different odd jobs around the store. They keep you occupied when you’re not busy. Then, you just do your regular job and just flow into your day.

Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Checkers Drive-In Employee: The application process was fairly easy. They just ask you questions about your previous work experience, they ask you about your educational history, and they also show you video clips of what Rally’s is and what they do – their company – and just explain to you how they make different sandwiches and food and things like that. Then, what they expect out of you once you become an employee and things like that, so it wasn’t too bad.

Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
Checkers Drive-In Employee: Out of all the applicants, what set me apart was the fact that I’m an easy-going person and I have a very strong work ethic. I’m very enthusiastic about what I do. I don’t just question things, I just kind of go for it, and I just accept what’s coming at me and just do what I got to do.

Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Checkers Drive-In Employee: I would say first maybe have some experience working with customers, like customer experience. And, maybe being more of a person that’s not too lazy. It’s a very fast-paced job and you’re going to be doing something every second and not just standing around. So, learn how to have a strong work ethic if you don’t have one already.

Checkers Drive-In Prep Cook Interview Video

Video Transcript

Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Checkers Drive-In Prep Cook: My job title at Checkers was prep cook. When I originally got there, I started off at the grill. That same day, I kind of progressed to taking orders and preparing food, as well. So, I kind of had to work faster; it was kind of all-inclusive.

Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Checkers Drive-In Prep Cook: The atmosphere was very open and friendly. Very friendly for employees. Everyone got along with everyone. It’s kind of like a friendship kind of bond there, almost family-oriented, because everyone knew everyone there outside of work. It was a very enjoyable experience.

Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Checkers Drive-In Prep Cook: My favorite part about working there was opening up, because opening up there, we had the opportunity to prep everything, just kind of interact with each other before the customers got in. We caught up with each other, maybe talked about things we’ve done together before we came in. So, it was more so continuing the relationship outside. We kept it professional, of course, but just kind of continuing what we have before we come into work to when we started and we clocked in.

Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
Checkers Drive-In Prep Cook: Well, it varies. If you’re opening, you’re setting up, you’re coming in, preparing food items to be served throughout the day. If you come in more so on the mid-shift, you’re coming in, getting kind of up to speed on what has been done, what needs to be done, filling in for a position if need be. But if you’re closing, it’s a little different. You’re kind of handling the rush a little bit. So, you’re coming in with the mindset of as soon as I clock in, prepare myself to work, understand that these things can be done, do a quick survey. The closing procedures, the cleaning up everything, making sure everything is put away, utensils are thoroughly cleaned. Making sure the place is secured and locked up, everything is in its right place.

Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Checkers Drive-In Prep Cook: Actually, I was referred by a friend of mine. He actually worked there. He worked there about a year and a half before I came on. I expressed to him that I needed a job, and he was willing to introduce me to the manager, and on one of his shifts, I actually visited the local Checkers in my neighborhood and had a discussion with the manager. Went home, changed my clothes, more business casual dress – business professional, not too dressy. Made myself more presentable as wanting to get a job. Had a conversation and interview with the manager. He asked me questions about things I could do, educational background, experience I had in the fast food industry. It was a very welcoming but professional interview.

Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Checkers Drive-In Prep Cook: They were more general. To my memory, there weren’t any unique questions that kind of jumped out at me. Actually, I would say that education background was kind of interesting to me, because they asked about my highest education level. In my mind, I’m thinking, “This is a fast food restaurant. Do I really need to have any kind of education do that?” But, it kind of made me think about – well, you do need some kind of education to handle food products and different chemical agents to clean and things like that. Education is really important, so the question about education level kind of jumped out at me.

Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
Checkers Drive-In Prep Cook: I already actually had knowledge on a lot of the positions. I worked in retail before I joined the fast food restaurant business, so I had already known how to work cash registers. As far as food preparation, my dad was a chef, so I learned how to cook and things like that. I already knew how to prepare food, food safety regulation, and things like that nature. I believe that was something that really jumped out and kind of qualified me for the position.

Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Checkers Drive-In Prep Cook: Expect to be a professional. Expect to have knowledge of how to prepare food and food safety regulations, as well. Don’t enter into the restaurant industry with a relaxed mentality, but go in understanding that this is a professional environment and to keep in mind that it is a service. When you’re serving you’re serving yourself, so understand that you’re not just going in there for a paycheck; you’re serving others, as well.

Related Links:
Checkers Application