Potbelly Sandwich Works Interview Questions & Tips

Application Process Overview

Made up of almost 300 full-service restaurants, Potbelly Sandwich Works stands as a strong alternative to traditional submarine sandwich shops. Despite its niche status, the restaurant still offers many familiar work opportunities to job seekers interested in the fast food industry. Whether preferring to work part-time or full-time, applicants from various backgrounds may qualify for jobs at Potbelly restaurants. Individuals interested in working for Potbelly must first participate in a company job interview for hiring consideration.

How to Get a Job at Potbelly Sandwich Shop

Applicants usually face a single, one-on-one interview to start the hiring process. Managers usually conduct the session as a way to gauge the applicant's interest in the job, skills, attitude, and overall personality. The first portion of the interview takes on a very conversational tone and covers general interests, hobbies, and character traits, while the second half remains focused on the desired job. Very scripted in nature, the interview includes questions like:

• "Why do you want to work at Potbelly?"
• "What do you believe to be the Potbelly Advantage?"
• "What do you think makes Potbelly different from similar restaurants?"

Leave a Good Impression

Applicants often perform better during the interview process with the right amount of preparation. For example, maintaining good communication throughout the interview process shows the ability to work well under pressure. Maintaining eye contact and a positive demeanor during the interview indicates a strong fit with comany values of friendliness and approachability. Potbelly Sandwich Shop generally prefers employees with a casual attitude and the competence to still maintain professionalism and stay on-task.

Potbelly Associate Interview Video

Video Transcript

Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Potbelly Associate: Well, I don’t remember my exact title, but it was … I floated all around. I would make sure the dining room was all stocked up with napkins, and all that. I’d fill up the drink machine, stock the chips, and then, when rushes came in, I’d jump in the back line and make sandwiches, ring people out, do smoothies, that kind of thing.

Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Potbelly Associate: The managers were all really cool. A lot of pretty young people, but it was also downtown Cincinnati, so there was a lot of people coming in during lunch. When that would happen, it would get really stressful and loud and stuff, but not too … It was more like, if people were yelling at each other, it was to get stuff done. It wasn’t an angry thing, just motivation.

Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Potbelly Associate: I was just looking for jobs. It was summertime. I’d just finished my first year at college. I lived downtown, so it was in walking distance. I had on, I think, just a collared shirt and some khakis, nothing too special. Just walked in and … Definitely go before the rush hour. Go either in the morning or in the afternoon, and then just ask to talk to the manager. If you’re in college, you’re already a step above everyone else. If not, just tell them about your experiences so far and go from there.

Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Potbelly Associate: He just asked about previous work experience, how you deal with stressful situations. When there’s lots of people, if you can manage it, or if you just don’t know what to do in those situations. Just asked about what I was studying in college, and what I liked to do for fun, stuff like that.

Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Potbelly Associate: Maybe just have explanation of a time that you dealt with a stressful situation in work, where you had to get down to business and complete a big goal in a short amount of time. Maybe think of an example that you had in that experience.

Related Links:
Potbelly Sandwich Works Application