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Chipotle Interview Questions and Answers

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Practice for your upcoming Chipotle job interview by using our mock interview. Click 'First Question' below to get started.

First Question

32 Chipotle Interview Questions

15 Interview Questions With Sample Answers

1.   How do you handle stress?

How to Answer

Are you someone who is able to handle stress on the job? How do you manage the stressful times? Talk to the interviewer about your ability to manage pressure in the workplace.

Written by Ryan Brown

1st Answer Example

"I handle stress very well and when you call my references, they will attest to this fact. When I am under pressure on the job, I focus on the task at hand and make sure to not get distracted. Staying on deadline is very helpful and I will delegate when necessary to alleviate some stress."

Written by Ryan Brown

2nd Answer Example

"Stress is part of any demanding job and I have learned to embrace it. I take good care of myself and prioritize my workload to maintain a healthy balance in my stress levels."

2.   What is your favorite item from Chipotle?

How to Answer

This is more of a fun question we have thrown into the mix. Probably won't be asked at a real interview, but you really never know at Chipotle! The reason for a question like this, and you should be prepared for a random question about the company. Is they want to know if you are a customer or not. This plainly tells them if you enjoy Chipotle and you eat there.

Written by Ryan Brown

1st Answer Example

"My favorite item is definitely a burrito bowl. I get white rice, chicken, corn salsa, and guac! It's my all-time favorite."

Written by Ryan Brown

2nd Answer Example

"A chicken quesadilla! I know it's not exactly on the menu but I love ordering this."

3.   Tell me about your experience in training and coaching others.

How to Answer

Coaching and training experience may not be required for this role, but they are abilities that are always valued by an employer. Briefly explain the experience that you do have in training, and coaching, in the workplace.

Written by Ryan Brown

1st Answer Example

"In my last position, I trained new hires on how to use our applicant tracking system. It was a very cool experience because it showed me that I love to teach and train. I am good at explaining how things work. It required a lot of patience, but it helped me to recognize my leadership potential."

Written by Ryan Brown

2nd Answer Example

"I have been a part of the interviewing and on-boarding team in numerous organizations. Whether I am training formally or not, I am always the go-to for shadowing and mentorship. It's something that I am really passionate about. I love to see others succeed and help them do so. I've done this in each company I've worked for and wouldn't have it any other way. "

4.   What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

How to Answer

If you are a part of any organizations, sports teams or clubs, talk about your involvement. Share the role you play and your contribution as well as what you enjoy about it. If you enjoy other activities like writing, hiking or spending time with friends, talk about those too. This question gives the interviewer a chance to get to know you. They are interested in learning about your personality and what motivates you. If any of your outside activities relate to this position, definitely share the skills you have learned and the similarities.

Written by Ryan Brown

1st Answer Example

"I spend a lot of my free time volunteering at the local animal shelter. I think that it is important to give back to your community, whenever possible."

Written by Ryan Brown

2nd Answer Example

"I absolutely love to read in my free time, and spend as much time as I can doing that. I can be found reading anything from a 19th century piece of British literature to the latest dystopian fantasy novel. My absolute favorite thing to do is to travel and couple it with reading: on the beach, on the plane, or just read about the cool intricacies of the place I'm visiting."

5.   Do you have reliable transportation?

How to Answer

Even if you're not expected to drive for the job, you will need to have some form of reliable transportation. If you take the bus or ride a bike, that works too! Simply share that you have the means to get to work consistently and on time.

Written by Ryan Brown

1st Answer Example

"I have reliable transportation. My vehicle is well maintained and I am comfortable with the amount of travel required to get to your office every day."

Written by Ryan Brown

2nd Answer Example

"I take public transit; however, I find it to be very reliable. I was late to work only once last year and that was due to a snow storm which stalled all of our employee's commute - including those with personal vehicles. Rest assured, I am reliable and will always come to work on time."

6.   How many days were you absent from work last year?

How to Answer

A part of being a diligent employee is to ensure that you are always on time and present when expected. It's great to even be 10 minutes early rather than just showing up right on the dot. Talk to the interviewer about your attendance.

Written by Ryan Brown

1st Answer Example

"I had zero unexcused absences last year. In total, I took 12 vacation days out of my 15 allotted days. I was sick just 2 and those were accompanied by a note from my Doctor. Once I was late due to a terrible snow storm and I always try to be 10 minutes early for my shift."

Written by Ryan Brown

2nd Answer Example

"I cannot recall the exact number but I think it was around 3 days total. All absences were excused and with notice."

7.   Tell me about a time when you had to lead a team. What was your biggest success factor?

How to Answer

The interviewer would like to hear about a time that you led a team, with a positive outcome. Highlight for the interviewer the primary factors that made your leadership style a success. Your example could come from the workplace or perhaps a time when you led a group project during your post-secondary studies.

Written by Ryan Brown

1st Answer Example

"Just last month I was asked to lead our day shift employees when my boss was away on sick leave. I took charge for two weeks and the experience was quite positive! I believe the biggest success factor was that I tried to emulate his leadership style and did ask his help when I wasn't sure what to do. I feel this experience really prepared me for a leadership role. I am excited to take on a team lead role again."

Written by Ryan Brown

2nd Answer Example

"Our company had a contest last month to see who could up-sell the most menu add-ons, and I was asked to be our team lead for the challenge. I really enjoyed that responsibility and we ended up winning the reward in the end because my team increased sales by the highest percentage."

8.   When a problem arises, what are your first reactions?

How to Answer

The interviewer wants to know if your reactions to problems reflect maturity and professionalism. How you react will greatly determine how you fit with their existing team.

Perhaps your computer crashes and you realize you may have just lost all of your hard work. Or maybe you are limited on time and have a deadline rapidly approaching. Demonstrate to the interviewer that you take a very methodical approach to problem solving, rather than reacting in an impulsive way when a problem occurs.

Written by Ryan Brown

1st Answer Example

"When a major problem arises, my first instinct is to take a step back and absorb what just happened. I then go into "

Written by Ryan Brown

2nd Answer Example

"I have taught myself to become much calmer with my first reactions when problems arise. Now, I will step back and review my options for solving the problem rather than allow myself to become frustrated."

9.   How do you respond to problems that require a quick solution?

How to Answer

Making decisions about complex problems isn't always easy. It takes practice and experience learning what sorts of decisions yield the best results. Problems that require you to act quick can be emergency situations, like knowing where the fire extinguisher is and grabbing it fast enough to put out small grease fire in the company kitchen. Other quick decisions could be if you are asked to take on a new responsibility and only given five minutes to decide if it's something you are prepared to take on. Going with your gut is a skill, and the more you learn to trust your intuition, the easier it can get to make these kinds of decisions. Demonstrate that you are confident and willing to sometimes take a risk when necessary.

Written by Ryan Brown

Answer Example

"I respond well in emergency and fast-moving situations that require intuitive decisions. I was raised to trust my initial response so, I do just that! One recent example was when we had a kitchen fire in my previous place of employment. Many of the staff panicked but I relied on my training, found the fire extinguisher, put the fire out, and made sure that everyone was okay and uninjured."

10.   When have you spoken up for cause, knowing that it would directly look unfavorable on you, because it was the right thing to do?

How to Answer

Every manager wants a team player who will not resist company policy or argue about every detail of the work load. However; a time may come when you need to speak up about something and it may not look the best on you. Talk to the interviewer about a time that this may have happened to you on the job.



Written by Ryan Brown

1st Answer Example

"For the most part, my company abides by all labor regulations. In the case of overtime, they did not abide by the regulations and I had to speak up for my team. The company was not happy about it because it cost them a lot of money but, in the end, they realized that they were in error."

Written by Ryan Brown

2nd Answer Example

"I stuck up for an employee who was being bullied in the workplace. They were not fitting in, and perhaps their personality was a bit off-putting; however, nobody deserves treatment like that. My co-workers didn't like being called out but eventually they came around. All in all, it was worth it to speak up."

11.   Have you ever taken the fall for a situation, where it was really not your fault, in order to protect a coworker?

How to Answer

Taking the fall for a situation, in order to protect a coworker, is a tricky situation. It can show teamwork but it may not be the most honest thing to do. Talk to the interviewer about your thoughts on taking the fall for something you did not do.



Written by Ryan Brown

1st Answer Example

"I do not believe in 'taking the fall' for people based on protecting them. Transparency is always a good idea and if something went wrong then it needs to be addressed in order to prevent it from happening again. When it comes to clients, I will apologize on behalf of the company for errors. In that case, I will do what it takes to protect the company's reputation."

Written by Ryan Brown

2nd Answer Example

"I have taken the heat for a situation that was not my fault. Honestly, it wasn't anyone's fault and I understand that sometimes the blame needs to land somewhere when corporate is looking for answers."

12.   We have had concerns with employee theft recently. What would you do if you caught a co-worker stealing?

How to Answer

Some businesses have trouble with employee theft and they need to make sure that they are hiring someone who is honest and trustworthy. Talk to the interviewer about the steps you would take if you caught a co-worker stealing.



Written by Ryan Brown

1st Answer Example

"I am sure that you have an internal policy for employee theft so I can assure you that I would follow the required steps to report the theft. I am a trustworthy person with a strong track record of honesty with my previous employers."

Written by Ryan Brown

2nd Answer Example

"If I caught an employee stealing, I would report the incident immediately. As a previous manager I really understand the value in employee honesty."

13.   Do you think honesty is always the best policy?

How to Answer

Is honesty always the best policy? Talk to the interviewer about your thoughts on honesty in the workplace.



Written by Ryan Brown

1st Answer Example

"Sometimes full disclosure can damage someone's self esteem, and reality isn't always best expressed in full and can be self-indulgent based on the person's intention. In those instances, honesty isn't always the best policy."

Written by Ryan Brown

2nd Answer Example

"I was raised to always be honest so yes - I do believe that honesty is the best policy. It's best to be honest and tell the truth whenever possible."

14.   Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.

How to Answer

Being able to communicate is crucial at Chipotle. If you have ever been in line ordering a burrito, you'll often hear the employees communicating back to the kitchen on their current food levels. If there isn't proper communication between the line workers and the kitchen, it's likely they will run out of food items and lose sales. When answering a question about communication, be confident in your answer. Be sure to say you have strong communication skills. When answering this particular question, keep your answer above a 7.

Written by Ryan Brown

1st Answer Example

"I rate my communication skills as a 9/10 as I will, on occasion, have times when I am not as clear as I would like to be. My supervisor and co-workers will attest to my clear and concise communication skills. Because I am an open leader, my team will let me know if I need to clarify anything."

Written by Ryan Brown

2nd Answer Example

"My verbal communication skills are strong; however, I would say that my written communication skills are not as strong. I simply don't have the experience when it comes to email communication, for example. For this reason, I would rate my communication skills as a 7/10."

15.   Are you a leader or a follower?

How to Answer

For Chipotle, there may not be a right or wrong answer to this question. If they ask this interview question, it may just be them trying to get to know you better. Answer honestly, so they know the candidate they are interviewing. A good leader takes initiative, listens and communicates well with others. A good follower is good at following directions and working hard to accomplish tasks. Both have great qualities. Depending on the role, it may be more important for you to instigate solving problems and creating innovative solutions, or it may be more important to get the work done. Share some of your strengths to show you have qualities in both categories.

Written by Ryan Brown

1st Answer Example

"It depends on the situation. I am good at listening and following directions, but I am also great with people and working as a team to solve problems. I would say I have qualities of both, and I know I would rise to the occasion if given a leadership opportunity."

Written by Ryan Brown

2nd Answer Example

"I can be a follower when necessary; however, I am naturally a leader at heart. I like to mentor others and am a good example to new employees."

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