Dishwasher Interview Questions [Includes Best Answers]

If you are looking for dishwasher interview questions you have come to the right place.

We understand that interviews can be stressful and competitive.

But don’t worry, with a little bit of preparation you can ace the dishwasher interview.

In this article, we will share some tips on how to answer Dishwasher Interview Questions successfully.

Dishwasher Interview Questions and Answers

1. Tell us about your previous work history?

If you have any experience in dishwashing or working in a restaurant, this is the time to share it.
You can say that you have no experience because you have been focusing on school and that you are eager to show your skills in the workforce.
Don’t worry if this is your first job. Restaurants often hire people who have no experience. You can say that you have been focusing on school and that you are eager to show your skills in the workforce.

2. Why do you want to be a Dishwasher?

A better way to answer this question is to express your passion for food and your ambition to advance in the restaurant industry. You can acknowledge that dishwashing is not your ultimate goal but rather a valuable step to learn the ropes and gain experience.

Possible answers are

Mention you have a passion for food, and believe you can learn a lot at this particular restaurant.
Say that you enjoy the food and service at this restaurant; as a result, you would take pride in representing them.
Say you enjoy the challenge of working under pressure.
Mention you would prefer a job that keeps you active.

3. Why should I hire you?

To answer this question, look at the job description and find the skills they are looking for then restate those skills. Below is taken from a sample job description:

The Dishwasher creates a welcoming environment for our guests by ensuring that all plate ware, glassware, and silverware are properly cleaned and sanitized. (attention to detail).
This person works within a team to ensure that these items are stocked throughout the shift. (teamwork)
Ability to work positively in a fast-paced environment. (Great motivation skills)

So when asked this question state:

Say you pay great attention to detail and understand presentation is extremely important at a restaurant. Part of that presentation is that the plate ware, glassware, and silverware are spotless and presentable.
Mention you have excellent communication skills which will allow you to excel in a team.
Finally, state you have excellent motivational skills and will be able to motivate others in a fast-paced environment.

Additional Interview Questions

4. Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

They will ask you this question to see if you have goals but more than likely they will ask you this to see if you are a good fit for their restaurant. If you state you would like to be a chef or a career in restaurant management you will sound like you are a fit for the job.

5. What hours can you work?

The more flexible you are with your hours, the better your chance of getting hired, so be flexible!
Let the interviewer know if you can work on weekends and holidays.

6. Why did you leave your last job?

Negative things about your past employer. Such as

Don’t Say

I could not stand my old boss or
The pay was terrible

Do Say

You enjoyed your job

The only answer to this question is to say you have learned all you can from your last job and are looking for new opportunities to learn and grow your career.

7. How do you feel about standing for long periods?

Most restaurant jobs will require you to work on your feet for long periods. If possible, let the interviewer know that you do not have a problem with this. Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes with low heels, maintain good posture, and stay hydrated.

8. How do you handle stress, pressure, and fast-paced environments?

Say that you handle stress, pressure, and a fast-paced environment by staying organized and prioritizing your tasks.

To be successful as a dishwasher, you must be very organized. This entails efficiently loading the dishwasher to maximize capacity and productivity.
Say that you try to keep an eye on the kitchen and prioritize the tasks that need to be done. For example, if the kitchen is running low on cutlery, you will wash them before the plates or glasses.

9. How is our driving record?

You may be required to be a delivery driver sometimes, so don’t be surprised if you are asked this question.

10. If you could be one animal what would it be?

Possible Answers are

Dogs show loyalty.
Ants are hard workers and team players.
Dolphins are smart.
Elephants are strong.
Gorilla is gentle but powerful, a good parent, and a good leader.

11. Do you have any interest in food or becoming a cook?

Restaurants prefer not to hire full-time dishwashers and instead look for candidates who show potential for advancement. Therefore, it is in your best interest to express your desire to be promoted and work in the kitchen.

Additional Dishwasher Questions Continued

12. How do you handle delicate or fragile dishes to prevent breakage or damage?

Possible answer is

When it comes to handling delicate or fragile dishes, I take extra precautions to ensure their safety. First, I make sure to handle them with clean and dry hands to minimize the risk of slippage.
To prevent breakage, I pay close attention to how I load the dishwasher or stack the dishes. I place them carefully, ensuring that there is enough space between each item to avoid any accidental collisions.
I also take note of any dishes with chips or cracks, setting them aside and informing the kitchen staff or supervisor to ensure they are repaired or replaced.

13. Can you describe your typical approach to organizing and cleaning dishes efficiently?

I find it best to stack small and large plates and bowls into separate piles and load the racks accordingly. It’s all about maximizing the number of dishes, bowls, and cutlery that can fit in the dishwasher. If you don’t do this, the volume of dishes will build up, and the kitchen will suffer due to a shortage of dishes and cutlery.”

14. How do you feel about doing food prep in addition to dishwashing?

If you have a morning shift, you may be asked to help with food preparation; state you are excited as it will help you learn about food and get more experience in the kitchen.

15. How do you feel about taking out the trash?

Taking out the trash is part of the job and it is important to keep the restaurant clean and sanitized.

16. What can you tell us about our restaurant?

This question is designed to see that it is this restaurant you want to work for and you are not just randomly handing out resumes hoping you want to land a job.
Review the restaurant menu and the positive customer feedback online.

17. Are you familiar with industrial-grade dishwashers or specific equipment used in commercial kitchens?

Hopefully, you have experience washing specific equipment used in commercial kitchens. However, if you don’t have experience, don’t worry. Restaurants will hire dishwashers without experience.

Questions to ask at the end of the interview

18. Do you have any questions for us?

What type of training will I receive?
What type of advancement can a top-performing dishwasher achieve?
Can you describe what you like best about working here?

What to wear for an interview as a dishwasher

Dress business casually for your dishwasher interview. Do not wear shorts and avoid wearing jeans.
Since you are working in a kitchen you will want to look like someone who can handle the food so if you have long hair wear it back.
Also, hide any tattoos as dishwashers may be required to do deliveries which means you will be customer-facing.

How Do I Prepare For A Dishwasher Interview?

Learn as much as you can about the restaurant and ask yourself why you want to work there. Why would you rather work at this restaurant rather than any other?
Review potential interview questions and think about how you will answer them from your personal experience.
Try to think about where you see yourself in the future? Restaurants will prefer to hire people whose career goals align with the restaurant industry and who don’t want to hire full-time dishwashers. Perhaps you want to become a restaurant general manager or a chef. Note if you want to work as a dishwasher to pay for your education that is fine but make sure you demonstrate that you are committed to working there for more than a few months.
Make sure you know where and how long it takes to get to the interview. Go online and work out the easiest way to get there, then be sure to add on extra time so you are on time. The last thing you want is to arrive late.

What skills do you need to be a dishwasher?

There are many skills you need to be a dishwasher. Several notable skills are

Ability to Work Under Pressure – breakfast, lunch, and dinner rush hour can get very busy and you need to have the dishes and silver wear ready for these peak periods.
Attention to Detail – presentation is everything when it comes to food and that goes for dishes and silver wear. The items that come out of the dishwasher need to be spotless.
Desire to learn – no restaurant wants to hire a permanent dishwasher and you need to show you are eager to learn. Having the ability to want to learn to prepare and cook food is the next logical for a dishwasher.
Teamwork – you will more than likely be tasked with other items such as food prep or grabbing items for the line during peak periods. Your ability to contribute to the team is critical as a dishwasher.

Do Dishwashers Get Tips?

Most dishwashers get tips. Usually, servers give 2% of their tips to the kitchen. The kitchen staff consists of dishwashers so you will get tips.

What to Expect at a Dishwasher Interview

If you’re applying for a dishwasher position, you may be curious about what to anticipate during the interview process. Dishwasher interviews are usually short and straightforward, but they can also be competitive.
Review the questions mentioned in this article.
They will be looking for your passion for food and cooking. Restaurants don’t want to hire full-time dishwashers and they will be looking for people who want to transition into cooking.
Research the restaurant and its menu, culture, and values.

Dishwasher Interview Questions