Chili’s Server Job Description & Interview
Job Description and Duties
What Does a Chili’s Server Do?
Chili’s servers provide customer care to restaurant patrons. Job duties a Chili’s server performs include taking food and drink orders, serving drinks and menu items, and carrying out customer requests. During slow periods, Chili’s servers may need to perform additional tasks, such as clearing tables and assisting in the kitchen.
What Types of People Get Hired?
Chili’s looks for friendly, customer-focused associates to work as servers. Servers at Chili’s must possess the ability to stand on foot for long periods of time and memorize orders. Chili’s servers must also know how to use the computer system to ring up orders and process payments.
Salary and Compensation
How Much Do They Get Paid?
Hourly wages for a Chili’s server range from $2.00 to $10.00 an hour, depending on restaurant location and worker experience. In addition to hourly pay, Chili’s servers earn cash tips. Qualified Chili’s servers may also enjoy lucrative employee benefits.
Additional Benefits for Working at Chili’s
Servers may receive 401(k) retirement plans, insurance coverage, and medical plans. Additional job benefits an eligible Chili’s associate may earn include bonus incentives, tuition reimbursement, and paid vacation time. All Chili’s workers may take advantage of paid training, flexible work schedules, restaurant discounts, and advancement opportunities. Chili’s employees also enjoy a fun and friendly work environment.
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Chili’s Server Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties?
Chili’s Server: Well, I am a current employee and I am considered by my boss to be somewhat of a goodwill Chili’s ambassador in that not being a hostess but a waitress. I try to put the best foot forward to make it more like home for our guests. We have students who are away from home. We have this incredible opportunity to encourage the people who attend here. So that on top of cashiering, the normal things that come with waitressing, taking food out, making sure people are comfortable. It’s a fast food Chili’s, which is different. It’s the only one in Ohio due to the college atmosphere. So my ambassadorship somewhat is on that level and many come in thinking that they’re going to be able to get everything that the regular restaurant has on the menu. I explain it and our procedure and like I said, I just want people to have an excellent dining experience.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Chili’s Server: That’s the best part is the fact that we have seasoned co-workers. We have a core unit of stability that is not turning over because of the fact that it’s not just a good job in terms of our livelihood, but it’s good for us personally because we really try to look out for people, but we’ve come to do it collectively as a team and so we look out for each other and we look out for our guests and it is a cohesive unit. There is a continuity with us. I enjoy that.
Interviewer: Please describe the application and interview process.
Chili’s Server: That was interesting. I applied online and I downloaded my application to take in to them personally. I don’t like to leave things to chance if I can help it, so I made the inquiry. The first time I came in, I made an inquiry as to whether they were employing, they were. I came in the very next day with a cover letter and information, resume, et cetera, et cetera, application and the day after that I got my first interview with my manager and then I got a second interview with an assistant manager the same day, which I found to be, how shall I say? Comforting in a way because to me that showed that they will follow up. That showed me that they respect each other’s opinion about who they hire, so that was good for me.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Chili’s Server: Have I ever worked in a place where the pace was high, very fast paced, because I think that that was one of the most important aspects of that particular position due to the volume of our clientele.
Interviewer: How were you notified that you received the job?
Chili’s Server: It was about a week because of the background check and Mr. Kirk called me and offered me a position.
Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
Chili’s Server: Sincerity, experience, presence.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Chili’s Server: To be persistent and to follow up. And when one is imply applying online, my strategy has always been to print out my applications and to take them personally to meet a manager and extend myself so that I can be set apart from the rest.
Chili’s Server Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Chili’s Server: When I started, I was a runner, and so basically that means that you’re not the waiter, but the waiter will tell you, “Ok, these foods need to go to this table.” So, you have to memorize all the numbers of the tables. Then, they’ll tell you in which order the food should be served. I would just run the food out. I wouldn’t take any orders, but sometimes people would want water or sauce or whatever like that. Then eventually, after a while, I became barback also, so I was helping making sure the cups were clean and taken away from the tables and that people were having their drinks on time.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Chili’s Server: It was really fun. It was people about my age. It was in my 20s, so it was very comfortable and fun, and everybody was really great. I think that it got stressful maybe Saturdays. Saturday nights were kind of crazy and especially if people had been drinking, but other than that, it was just a lot of fun.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Chili’s Server: I think it was that I was gaining experience as far as service. It was one of my first service jobs, and so learning about how a restaurant is run, how to serve people their food, and it was a lot more complicated than I thought it was going to be.
Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
Chili’s Server: When I started, I would usually… when I started the job, I was a runner, so I would just make sure who I was attached to that day. I would usually have two or three servers that I would be helping, and so I would just jump right in and help them with whatever they needed.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Chili’s Server: That I found through a temp agency actually, so they found me the job and it was a temp-to-hire. I went through a temp agency, and they vetted me and then introduced me to that company, and they eventually took me on after three months. There was a job interview, but it wasn’t as intense because they kind of already did the interview, but I did meet the manager.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Chili’s Server: I would say definitely the same as far as customer service goes, just being really friendly and outgoing. Always carry a pad of paper and a pen. Know that you’re not going to remember everything that’s going on, so I would say know your strengths, know your weaknesses, and introduce them at the interview, even just to say, “This is what I’m looking for. This is what I want to learn. This is what I know already. I’d like to improve myself.” That type of…
