California Pizza Kitchen Interview
California Pizza Kitchen Interview

Congratulations on getting a California Pizza Kitchen Interview.

We all know interviews are stressful and competition is intense.

However, with a small amount of preparation, you can ace the California Pizza Kitchen Job Interview.

Here we will discuss how to successfully answer California Pizza Interview Questions.

Please note these are practice interview questions and we are not affiliated with the company mentioned in this post.

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California Pizza Kitchen Interview Questions

Tell us about yourself?

  • It’s okay to discuss your hobbies and interests; but, keep it brief. Try to focus on relevant work experience. Remember that having relevant work experience will put you ahead of the competition.

What can you tell us about California Pizza Kitchen?

Interviewers ask this question to weed out applicants who are hoping to get an interview by randomly applying to hundreds of jobs. Instead, they want to meet with applicants who have done their research about the company. Here are a few facts about California Pizza Kitchen.

About California Pizza Kitchen

  • Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax opened the first restaurant in Beverly Hills in 1985.
  • Many know CPK its pizzas such as The Original BBQ Chicken, Thai Chicken, and Jamaican Jerk Chicken.
  • CPK also offers appetizers, soups, gluten-free pizzas, vegetarian options, and a and vegan menu.
  • You can buy CPK pizza in many local grocery stores.
  • Golden Gate Capital is the parent company of CPK. Golden Gate Capital is also the parent company of Bob Evans, and Red Lobster.

Why do you want to work for California Pizza Kitchen?

  • State why it is better than the competition.
  • Say you would like a job that keeps you active and will enjoy the challenge of working under pressure.
  • Say you enjoy the product and the service you get and because of this, you would be proud to represent them.

What is the difference between customer service and hospitality?

  • Hospitality takes customer service to another level.  Hospitality is defined as the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. 
  • Customer Service is the assistance and advice provided by a company to those people who buy or use its products or services. Customer Service does not imply going above and beyond for the customer.

What is your greatest strength?

  • The best way to respond to this question is to describe the skills and experience that directly correlate with the job you are applying for. With this in mind, review the job description and reassure the interviewer that you have the experience and skills to do the job.

What is your greatest weakness?

  • It would help if you did not deny you have a weakness or state strengths as a weakness. For example, do not say “I am a perfectionist” or “I work too hard and neglect my friends and family”. State a fault required for the role but not a dealbreaker if you don’t have it.
  • When you state your weakness, make sure you say what you are doing to overcome that weakness. For example, I have a fear of public speaking and enrolled in a public speaking class to overcome my fear.

Who are our biggest competitors?

  • Their biggest competitors are Cheesecake factory, Brinker International Inc, PF Chang’s China Bistro Inc, Pizza Hut, and Domino’s

How would you deal with an upset customer?

  • I would find out what is wrong with the customer. If it was the product I would offer to replace it (mention you would check with your manager first) it is important to keep the customer happy as an unhappy customer will never return.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Interviewers ask this question because they want to see you have goals and ambition. Interviewers also ask this question because they want to see if you are a good fit for the industry you are interviewing for.

Possible Answers are

  • Have a look at other California Pizza Kitchen Jobs and find a position you can see yourself doing in five years (this way you will sound like you are not a job hopper).
  • Have a look at other restaurant management jobs that you can see yourself doing in five years. Stating you want to stay in the restaurant industry will make you sound like a good fit for CPK.
  • If going to college or university state what you would like to be doing after you finish.

Why should California Pizza Kitchen hire you?

  • Have a second read of the job description and find the skills and experience required for the position.
  • Next, match the skills required for the job to your skill set.
  • Finally, reassure the interviewer you have the right skills.

Questions to ask on a California Pizza Kitchen Interview

  • What do you like best about working here?
  • How do you describe your ideal candidate for this position?
  • What about this position is the most important?
  • How do you measure my success, and what could I do to meet your expectations?
  • Which part of the position has the steepest learning curve? What can I do to get up to speed quickly?
  • What opportunities will I have to learn and grow?

California Pizza Kitchen Interview Tips

  • Arrive 10 minutes early
  • Turn off your smartphone.
  • Learn as much as you can about the company.
  • Don’t speak too fast as you will sound nervous.
  • Don’t speak too slowly as you will sound boring.
  • Make eye contact during the entire interview.

What should I wear to an interview at California Pizza Kitchen?

Entry-Level Position

Entry-Level Position

  • Dress business casually if you are interviewing for an entry-level position.  Do not wear shorts and avoid wearing jeans.
Management Position

Management Position

  • Dress formally or business casual if you are interviewing for a management position.  Blazers and dark trousers are a safe choice, as well as wrap dresses for females. Avoid sportswear clothes. 
Colors

Colors

  • Blue tells employers that you’re credible and trustworthy.
  • Black shows leadership and is great if you’re going for a senior position.
  • Red sends a message that you are assertive and will work well in a field like sales.

  • People consider wearing orange to a job interview unprofessional, linking it to being the worst color choice.

Does California Pizza Kitchen Drug Test

  • There is no evidence to support that California Pizza Kitchen Drug Tests.  California Pizza does want to maintain a drug-free workplace and all applicants must acknowledge that the use of drugs creates an unsafe working environment.

CPK Interview Questions for Server

Tell us about your previous work experience?

  • Remember to state-related experience so if you have experience serving, cleaning, working with customers, or any restaurant experience at all mention that first.

Why do you want to be a server at CPK?

  • Say you would like a job that keeps you active, and you feel you have strong customers service skills so you feel you would be a good fit for this role.

How would you greet a customer?

  • First I would great them with a smile and once they were seated I would give them their menus and tell them about any specials offered.

How would you deal with an upset customer?

  • Say you would give them your full attention and apologize for any inconvenience. Mention you would then note the complaint, and give it to your manager and make a constant effort to improve.
  • Finally, say you believe reputation is everything and it is important to keep the customer happy as an unhappy customer will not come back, and may even tell others about their negative experience.

If you could be one animal what would it be?

  • This question is designed to see if you are the type of person who would fit into this role so pick wisely. You want to pick an animal that is friendly, intelligent, and fast on their feet.

How do you handle pressure at work?

  • I feel I deal with it well. I am good at prioritizing and focusing on the tasks that need to be completed one by one.

How did you fill your downtime at work?

  • All jobs have some downtime and they want to know that you used your time efficiently. Usually, I spent my downtime cleaning. I would often polish the silverware, or help bus tables. In addition, I set tables and took reservation orders.

Give us an example of when you came in late and what the reasons were?

  • Everyone has had a situation where they have arrived late to work but a good answer is to anticipate it and let your manager know.
  • For example, I had a child that was sick and I phoned the manager the night before to let him know I would be late. I fully understand the importance of arriving on time as the restaurant can’t operate properly without the proper staffing, so there are very few times I was late.

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