How to Get a Job at Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A enjoys popularity for passionate, cheerful, and hardworking crew members. To find the right people to join the team, the fast food chain has unique requirements.
The Chick-fil-A Interview Process
Locational Variations
As a primarily franchise-operated company, owners control all recruitment. The hiring process may vary by location. Applicants should expect the following types of interviews:
- Phone
- Group
- Private
- Panel
Discussion topics cover everything from hobbies to experience resolving customer issues.
Preparation
Company Knowledge
To prepare for the Chick-fil-A interview, applicants should study the fast food chain and learn about company culture. Candidates may receive testing on specific branding. The ability to cite examples impresses hiring managers.
Chick-fil-A Job Interview
Applicants should prepare by practicing answers for basic interview questions. Candidates should also come up with questions to ask the interviewer. Consider discussing the following:
- Advancement opportunities
- Restaurant operations
- Company structure
Interview Formats for Entry-Level Jobs
For team members and cashier jobs with Chick-fil-A, applicants have one or two face-to-face meetings. Interviews typically take places at stores. In some cases, meetings occur at job fairs.
What Are Some Typical Interview Questions?
A team member interview usually begins with these questions:
Interviewers may then follow up with questions meant to gauge personality, such as:
- What are your goals for the future?
- Do you possess any skills or traits that will help the company thrive?
Hiring managers often inquire about scheduling needs and work experience. At the end of the meeting, they might ask fun questions like:
Managerial Candidates
Applicants contending for Chick-fil-A manager roles often need to participate in three interview sessions. Managerial job hopefuls typically need to detail past experience with leading teams and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Some questions asked in the management interview process include:
Related: Chick-fil-A manager job description.
Hiring managers may also inquire about community involvement.
What Should I Wear?
Applicants should dress presentably by wearing casual business attire.
Making Lasting Impressions
A company dedicated to customer care, Chick-fil-A hires applicants willing to provide outstanding service. Prospects should display polite, enthusiastic, and professional demeanors.
No matter the question asked, applicants must provide positive, result-oriented responses. Interviewees should exhibit an eagerness to make customers happy. Applicants also want to express a strong desire to work.
Interview Tips From a Chick-fil-A Hiring Manager Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: What qualities do you look for in an applicant?
Chick-fil-A Manager: First, when we go over the application, make sure it’s filled out, make sure they included everything. One important thing is we look at their work history. We look at if there’s a lot of gaps in-between jobs, what they were doing, and experiences. When they first come in, we make sure they look presentable, and then we just judge on how they answer the questions. If we feel like they’re being honest, or if they were just telling us what we wanted to hear. So, we look for someone who is genuine, and just truthful.
Interviewer: What should an applicant do to prepare for an interview?
Chick-fil-A Manager: You want to do a little research about the company before the interview. Know what they do, what they stand for, what you think the work environment would be, how you can present yourself on how you can benefit them, not what they can do for you. Also, so you have questions for them. So if you go in and don’t know anything about the company, you won’t know anything when it comes to the interview.
Interviewer: What kind of answers do you look for in an interview?
Chick-fil-A Manager: We start off very basic, like: “Let me get to know you,” “Tell me a little bit about yourself.” Then we go into the basic interview questions, like how you react to a situation in the past where a customer is angry, how do you handle it, how do you handle conflicts with your peers, how do you react to stressful situations, just to see how they think they can react, and if they know their strengths and weaknesses, things like that. Then, also: “How do you think you would benefit the team?”, “How well do you work with others?” Things like that.
Interviewer: What is one of the best answers you’ve been given in an interview?
Chick-fil-A Manager: I interviewed one girl, I think she was about sixteen. She hadn’t had a job, but she was very confident in herself, so her just being confident, I think she said she had baby-sitting experience, but she used some of those skills, and transferred them to a real job. I liked that a lot, because she didn’t have much experience at all, but her answers were better than some who had a long list. So, it was just her being confident and thinking outside the box, and kind of transferring skills over.
Interviewer: How can an interviewee tell if the interview went well?
Chick-fil-A Manager: I think if the person’s really relaxed, you’re having more of a conversation than an actual question and answer, then that’s how you can tell it’s going well. Some people are very nervous and tense, and it gets kind of awkward. So, if you’re really relaxed, you can just tell it’s a truthful conversation coming, and if they ask questions at the end, that’s always a plus. If they seem very interested.
Interviewer: What should an applicant do after leaving the interview?
Chick-fil-A Manager: Some at the interview ask “What’s the next step?”, to know how many more people were interviewing, what the callback range will be, is good to ask at the interview so they’re not going home and trying to call right away, if we still have fifteen interviews. If not, just calling back, and checking back on the interview and application, not excessively, but enough time to know.
Interviewer: Describe the advancement opportunities for someone starting out.
Chick-fil-A Manager: Chick-fil-A is actually really good with growth opportunities. There’s different levels of team members, but as you move up in management, you have opportunities with corporate. Each Chick-fil-A is a franchise, with their own individual owners, but it’s all run by corporate. Most people that stick with Chick-fil-A for a good amount of time want to end up being owners, so they move up just by recommendations with that company, so if you’re a good employee, and you meet the standards to move up, you can move up pretty fast with the company, if that’s what you want to do. A lot of people are there to support you. If you’re a store manager, then the next thing you would do is start grand openings for other Chick-fil-A, so when they open, you’re on a grand opening team, so you go to help them, and if you do good in that, you can move up, and keep moving up.
Chick-fil-A Cook Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Chick-fil-A Employee: I was a food prep tech/cook. I would get in there early, prep the station, then just take orders, fill orders, and then clean up your station.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Chick-fil-A Employee: It was a family environment. A lot of families come and eat there. It’s kind of more formal. It’s a nice atmosphere.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Chick-fil-A Employee: The food. I love Chick-fil-A.
Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
Chick-fil-A Employee: You show up to work, you prep your station, you take orders, fill orders, and clean up. If you clean up while you’re working, there’s less to clean up during the day.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Chick-fil-A Employee: I filled out my application, and then I would call back, made sure I called back that week or the week after. The squeaky wheel gets the grease-type philosophy. And sure enough, they called back, and I started the next week.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Chick-fil-A Employee: Wanted to know some work history, what kind of person I was, work ethic, extracurricular activities that I did. Just getting a feel for my personality, if I would fit right on their team.
Interviewer: What set you apart from the other candidates?
Chick-fil-A Employee: I offered to work hours that most people didn’t want to work: closing and Saturdays.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Chick-fil-A Employee: First impressions are everything, so make sure it’s a good one.
More Chick-fil-A Interview Videos:
Adelaide J says:
Dress up properly, answer every question as best as you can, be nice and you interview is going to get you the job!!
Moogley says:
I want to complete my applciation for chickfila but I am worried about the interview. Anyone have any other interview tips. I am a part time college student and I heard that this place pays a little better than other fast food restaurants. Is that true?
Kitsune says:
Basically, just be polite, always smile and have an upbeat attitude. And of course, dress nice. Chick-fil-A has a reputation of being generally well mannered, and noone wants to hire a bum. A firm handshake and an unwavering eye-to-eye connection are excellent things to have during any interview.
dae says:
what questions do they ask during the interview?
Kaytlynnnn says:
I Am a 16 year old girl and i just applied for a job. I am a little nervous of having an interview . How Would i need to prepare myself and get ready folr this ?
Annikka says:
im a 15 year old girl trying to apply for a job at chick fil a. Is it even possible for them to hire me at the age i am????
brianna says:
Yes, I’m applying and I’m 15. The only thing is that you’ll have limited hours and a mandatory lunch break… you’ll also need a work permit depending on your state but they’ll tell you about that at the interview
Kimberley says:
Im a 15 year old girl needing a job do yall hire at that age?
Jackie says:
Yup they will hire you! Dress nice no really high heels and no clevage. Smile and look them in the eye and be prepared. They will ask you for 3 weaknesses but say something like perfectionist. At the end say it was your pleasure talking to them. Remeber this is no time to be humble, you are selling your self for this job. But make sure you show that you have a happy personality!
Jackie Fenney says:
I worked fast food for 3 1/2 years when I was in college over twenty something years ago. What I used to get my job twenty years ago still applys. Please dress appropriately, young man wear nice pants that will stay up on your backside, a shirt and a tie. Young ladies wear a nice top and dark skirt, or dark suit , or dark nice dress, panty hose and black heels (not hooker heels). Remember to give eye contact, smile and be very confident. You are trying to sell yourself so act like it. Always try to know something about the company in case that question comes up. When leaving the interview shake your interviewer’s hand and thank he or she for the interview. Finally when you get home send a thank you card. This really looks good especially when you are young. Now go out and get that job!
Mason Martinez says:
I have my interview today and I am wondering what I should say in a thank you card. Does it have to be 2 or more sentences or can it be very short and sweet? Thank you!
Lisa says:
What questions will they ask when I go for a interview for a asst manager at chick-fil a.
do I ask for the salary is.
Lisa says:
What questions will they ask at a interview for asst manager at chick-fil a.
do I ask what the salary is .
sharhonda says:
im 14 what job positions will be hired for me
BHADD-BARBIE says:
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO WORK AT CHICK-FIL-A ?????????/
Denerius says:
get a job permit from your local police department or juvenile office in ther courthouse
Chloe says:
to answer the age questions…it really depends on the location and the owners. some places are 15 some are 16. i havent seen many for 14. This is because they dont want to deal with Child Labor Laws, you can only work a certain amount of hours. but you would still need a job permit.
Tiffany says:
I am a 16 year old girl, 17 next month. I have done plenty of mock interviews before for Governors honors before so I kinda of knew wat to expect, but anyways I applied on a Monday I dressed up and gave my app to the manager as I was leaving the manager asked if I could come in for an interview the following day. The interview went well asked questions like why do u wanna work here, what are your grades like what would ur family say about ur personality and so on. None the less I had my second interview with the owner on Friday, he was great and I was his last interview of the day. He said I would most defiantly hear back Monday. Well it’s Saturday and I just got a call for the job and I got it!! Overall it doesn’t matter if it’s ur first job or ur 30th job smile be up beat and sell ur self. Hope I helped and good luck!!
keyona says:
i want dress up properly, and answer every question cause i dont have no job and i really need one
Achanti Powell says:
Hello I would like to work at Chick-fil-A . I am 14 Years old I attend G.W Carver High School in Houston Texas . There is a Chick-fil-A that is close to me . So I wanted to see if I could get a interview soon with you guys . Thank You so much .
Ali says:
Hello. I was just wondering, how old do you hire a teenager? I want to apply at Chick-fil-a, but lest, I am only 14. I am turning 15 in a month from yesterday.
Katerine says:
You can work at chick fil a when your 14. Just make sure to get a workers permit. I’m actually 14 and I am really interested in working at chick fil a as my first job.
Katy says:
I just had an interview there today. My best advice is to dress nicely! There were three girls there with me who were getting interviewed and were wearing tank tops and jean shorts. Do NOT do that! Wear a nice blouse and slacks or black jeans if you have any. Wear nice shoes (not flip flops) and make sure you are presentable. Also, when being interviewed make sure you keep good eye contact, smile, and say yes ma’am or sir when asked a question. The manager told me these are all things they look for. Good luck!! (=
Faith says:
You can get a job here at the age of 15 in some locations, just ask the franchise you are interested in if they allow 15 year olds to work there. Where I’m from they do. I can’t answer any questions as of right now because I do not work there at the moment but I am hoping to fill out an application and get a job there really soon!(: Maybe sometime in the next few weeks I can respond once again but with answers!
jasma says:
iam 15 years old and iam try to get a job at chick -fli -a to get things i need a great person for any job you will need done
umm bob? says:
Remember YES SIR! firm hand shake
jamarcus says:
I was hired at Chic-fil-A at 15
Niesha says:
I had my 2nd interview today at chick-fil-a. All you have to remember when goin to an interview is smile, use proper language no ums, buts, or idks. Every question can be answered. many questions they ask are yours strengths? How well can you deal with working fast paced? and also how well do you deal with angry customers.? Just go in with confidence and the job is yours.
Miranda says:
Im 14 & I am really looking for a job to help my mom out with the bills she is a single parent and I want to help her out. I here that Chik-Fil-A hires at the age of 14 is this true?
A Manager's Manager says:
As a manager, reading some of these comments just gives me chills.
“I don’t got no job”. Really?
*******************************************************************************
Speak well.
Dress nice. No heavy perfume or cologne!
Be CLEAN. No heavy makeup. Clean shaven (no beards). Fresh haircut for men. Long hair pulled back for women.
Arrive early. ..NEVER, EVER late. ***If you are interviewing at a location you are unfamiliar with, scout it out the day before so you know where to park, how traffic behaves, how long it will take you in order to arrive EARLY for your interview.
***Never ask a restaurant for a job application or an interview during the 11am-2pm lunch time or 4pm-7pm dinner time. In addition, if you are simply stopping in for an application DRESS NICE as if it IS your interview. This moment is your first impression; make it a great one.***
Shake hands firmly.
Introduce yourself and hand a ONE page resume to the interviewer (very simple: work and school history, plus name, address, phone number and 2 references. This can even be handwritten).
Look the interviewer in the eye.
Smile.
Sit up straight.
Hands in lap. Do not touch your face or pick at your skin nervously.
Yes or no ma’am; yes or no sir.
Be prepared (pen, notebook, knowledge about the company).
Never ask about salary.
As the interview is wrapping up, ask the interviewer if there is any more information they need, or records you can produce. (This can be a lead-in for a follow up conversation for another day).
ASK for the job with confidence.
Thank them for their time.
Write a thank you note the VERY next day (remember the notebook? Write down the interviewer’s name). If you cannot afford a stamp, hand deliver it.
Good luck.
Taylor says:
I’m 14, and I’ve heard many people say that Chick-fil-A hires at 14 so I applied. I didn’t really think I would have a shot, but 2 weeks later I got a call and I have an interview on Monday. I’m a little scared about the interview… this will be my FIRST job, so I don’t really know what to expect from the interview. I’m afraid I’ll mess up, or say something stupid and not get the job. HELP!
Hannah says:
Hello, I’m a 15 and I’m interested in getting a job at Chick-fil-a. I’m homeschooled so I’m not sure if that would make any difference, or if it would in-fact, be better because I’m a little more flexible for hours. I’m a little worried about the interviewing process because I tend to be very nervous when faced with speaking to new people, and I’m worried this is going to be a *BIG* problem for a job.
Help! Please!
Regards,
Hannah
Ryan says:
Hey Guys,
I’ve worked for CFA before and am returning back to start a career with them. My best advice is to be yourself, be polite, and dress nice. Nice khakis, slacks, button up shirt, tie isn’t necessary, and try to avoid jeans. CFA is a customer oriented company so make sure you can show them that (yes ma’am, yes sir, no thank you, my pleasure, etc). They don’t ask out of the ordinary interview questions but be prepared. Some examples are “why do you want to work for CFA?” “name a few weaknesses” “can you handle lunch & dinner rushes” and etc. CFA is a great company to work for, both temporary and for a career. It might be fast food to most people but it really is more than that and you’ll enjoy working for them.
For people wondering about age, it varies by store (depends on the operator) and labor laws. I believe you can work at 14 and 15 but can only work certain amount of hours and only at certain times of the day.
Haley. says:
I’ve heard Chick-Fil-A is really interested in people who are involved in their school, is this true? I’ve applied 3 times and no reply. That’s the only thing I feel is stopping me from getting a job there.
Patrick Olivier says:
how old do you have to be to work here?
Christine says:
Hi. I am 16 and wanting to get a job here. I’m just wondering about the hours I will have to work If I get a job here. I will want to work during the summer and stuff, but during the school year, I have band practice. Will they be ok with that? I may be only able to work 3 or less hours a school day, and 5+ hours a day during the summer. Also, how do you/they choose what job you get there? I am really looking forward to work here because I want to save up enough money for a car and for college. Thanks!
Christine
Micayla says:
I have been working at a Chick-fil-A for about 8 months. The interview was easy, dress nice as stated above. As far as questions go, it honestly depends on who the owner/operator that is interviewing you is. Make sure you’re polite yes/no sir/ma’am. No matter what, be prepared to answer “Why Chick-fil-A?” and “What does teamwork mean to you?
Rachel says:
Hi! I was just hired at a Chick-fil-a and I am very excited to start! I am going to start training tomorrow. What should I wear on the first day since I will not have a uniform yet?
Gabby says:
Where exactly do I print out the Job Application?
Mariah says:
Hi. I am 16 years old and turned in an application for chick-fil-A on Monday. Three days later, I got a call explaining that I had a group interview on Saturday at 9 a.m. at a nearby hotel. Has anyone been to one of these group interviews, and if so what should I expect? What should I come prepared with?
Quelita says:
What hours do they usually need the dining room attendants?
Do they expect people to start working at 6am to get the job and
what would be a good answer for the 3 weaknesses they ask in
the interview?
j ward says:
If you work at Chick-fil-A at age 14-15, what work will you most likely do? Cashier, cook, etc.?
Morgan says:
To answer the “What are good answers to your weaknesses” question, really think about some areas you may struggle with but, are very willing to work on those things in order to improve your chances to get the job. Be honest in your answers, don’t use an answer someone else gave you because you are your own person and need to make an impression that best express YOU.
Angela says:
I was just hired at Chick fil A about a month ago and I am about to begin working. I went to an open interview in June and you basically just showed up at 4 o’clock and about 10 other people came too. No application needed to be filled out, just show up. A team manager had us pull some tables together so we could all sit at one table. He went around and asked questions like, are you in High School, do you want a seasonal job or all-year round, what is your definition of customer service, why we admire Chick Fil A, and other similar questions. We went around the table and everyone answered in the circle. After the interview, I got a call about 2 hours later and they asked me to come in for a second interview the next day. There, they said that I was everything they looked for in an employee and they asked me about my schedule and which days and hours I could work. They said they would talk to their scheduler and call me back to let me know if I am needed. I didn’t get a call for one month. But after that month, I got a call and they said they would like to hire me! I went in to fill out the rest of the paper work and order my uniform. I start my job tomorrow!