23 McDonalds Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our McDonalds interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. Name your three best qualities?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to get a sense of who you are as a person and how this will fit with the McDonalds team. Your qualities are your characteristics such as, hardworking, friendly or detail-oriented. You can expand on these qualities by giving an example of each. If you say you are hardworking, you could mention that you 'have taken on extra shifts in the past.'
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"I would say that I am outgoing, positive and easygoing. I get along well with others and I am not afraid to talk to new people."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"Here are is an example of qualities you could say:
- Adventurous
- Caring
- Creative
- Diligent
- Decisive
- Helpful
- Intelligent
- Kind
- Meticoulous
- Responsible
- Resourceful"
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2. Have you ever goofed off in the classroom or in past jobs?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know if you will take the job seriously. McDonalds puts a lot of time and money into on-boarding new staff. There is a difference towards being a goofy person and goofing off. If you take your work seriously and have a proven track record, tell your interviewer. It's also okay to admit that you like to have fun at work but you understand that having a job is a big responsibility.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"I love to make my friends and family laugh. Having said that, I do not goof off at school or at my jobs. There is a time and place to be funny and joke around and it is not when you are on the clock. As soon as I clock out, that's my time to tell a joke or two."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"I goofed off once at my first job. I was 16 and thought it would be funny to pull a prank on a friend that I worked with. I ended up getting a write-up from my supervisor. I am 24 now and looking back I realize that I was being immature. Now I take my work seriously and come to work with goals in mind and a sharp focus."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
3. Would you say you are a sociable person?
How to Answer
If your position involves working with customers you will need to be able to comfortably interact with others. This doesn't mean you have be a 'social butterfly' but you do need to be able to be social enough to work on a team and help others. If you are a sociable person, talk about this and highlight how it will benefit the company.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"I am not the most social person outside of work but when it comes to my work I am comfortable interacting with others and delivering great customer experience. I save all of my social energy for work and I am not afraid to go outside of my comfort zone."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"I am consider myself to be every sociable. I am an extrovert and I love to constantly be around others. This has played in my favor as I have worked primarily in customer service. I am not afraid to make small talk and provide helpful solutions to a customer who may be distressed."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
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4. Do you need a job at McDonalds or just working for fun?
How to Answer
McDonalds offers entry-level positions for people with little to no experience which is perfect for young people. Sometimes a young person may take the job just for fun and not be serious about it. Your interviewer wants to know that if they invest the money needed to train you they will get a good return on their investment. Try to think of your motive for applying to this job.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"I just moved out of my parents house and I am looking for a stable income to pay my bills. I definitely want to work full-time or as close to full-time if possible."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"Although I live at home, I will be attending university next year and I need to save up. This job will be a great way for me to not only gain valuable experience but to also put money towards my school. I may even be able to work here when I attend university."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
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5. What is your favorite fast-food restaurant?
How to Answer
If McDonalds is your favorite fast-food restaurant, definitely share that with the interviewer. McDonalds does not have to be your favorite fast-food restaurant in order to get hired but be careful which restaurant you choose. It would be safer to choose a fast-food seafood restaurant as oppose to a fast-food restaurant known for its burgers and fries.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"My favorite fast-food restaurant specializes in Chinese food which is my favorite cuisine. Similar to McDonalds, they offer great customer service and an inviting place to dine-in at. "
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"McDonalds is actually my favorite fast-food restaurant. My favorite meal is the Big Mac Meal with a large Coke, I get cravings for it often. I also like how friendly the staff is and the free Wi-Fi is great for completing my homework. My love for McDonalds is actually one of my reasons for applying, I definitely stand behind the product."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
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6. Do you have any friends or relatives that work at McDonalds?
How to Answer
The interview may be wanting to get a sense of what you know about the job and company based on the experience of a family member or friend. If you don't know anyone, you can tell the interviewer. If you do know someone, try to share positive feedback that they have given you about working at McDonalds.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"This was actually where my mom had her first job. She said that the skills she learned from McDonalds were invaluable and helped her grow as a person."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"My friend works at the McDonalds downtown and told me all about it. She loves the flexibility McDonalds has given her so that she can work and go to school. She is also excited about the opportunity to move into a management role."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
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7. What would be a reason that we would not hire you?
How to Answer
This question is asking you to acknowledge your weakness. Take this as an opportunity to state your weakness but also offer a plan of how you will improve it. Don't give a serious reason of why they may not hire you such as 'I a have a poor work ethic.' Instead think of something that another employee may have that you do not such as, 'I have less experience in the food industry.'
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"You may not hire me because you are looking for someone who has more years of experience than me in the food industry. Although I have mostly worked in retail, my ability to engage with customers and work on a team will make my transition into this job run smoothly."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"You may hire someone else instead of me because I do not yet have job experience. You have to start somewhere and I want to start with a company like McDonalds that has been around a long time and helps employees grow. If hired I will make up for my lack of experience by committing myself to learn everything I can and coming to work everyday with a positive attitude."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback
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8. Tell me about a time when you had to be a leader. How was the outcome?
How to Answer
The interviewer is looking for an example of where you stepped up and acted as a leader. Think of a time when you were in a group at work or school and you stepped up and got something done. Maybe you volunteered to lead a group project or offered to train the new employee. McDonalds wants employee who can grow in the company with leadership potential.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"I was once doing a project for school and we were having difficulties getting started and organized. I got out my computer out and made a spreadsheet. I asked what everyone was interested in and recorded. Someone needed to lead the group and I was comfortable being that leader."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"I remember when my manager received an emergency call and left me to be in charge for the first time. I was nervous at first but knew that I had been working their long enough to hold down the fort while he was away. I made sure that we were well staffed in back and on the floor. I got the opportunity to delegate tasks and lead the team."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
9. Tell me about a time when you did not have enough time to complete all assigned tasks. How did you prioritize?
How to Answer
The answer to this question lets the interviewer know how you work in a busy situation and what you do to make sure the most important item gets done first. Maybe you are a student and you can share some of the ways you juggle multiple assignments. Maybe you worked at a busy retail store and you had to juggle restocking inventory and helping customers.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"As a student I have experienced what it is like to not complete every assigned task. Once I was taking a multiple choice test and I was really struggling on one item. I left it blank to come back to it but ended up running out of time. Although I felt bad about missing one question, if I hadn't had skipped it I would have missed many more. "
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"I was training a new employee on how to restock pastries when a huge group of people came in. We both had to jump on the floor and help the team. Although her training got postponed, I knew it was more important that we quickly and effectively served the large group of people. "
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
10. Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for customer service?
How to Answer
Great customer service is critical for a brand as big as McDonalds. Customers want to know that they will have a great experience at McDonalds no matter what location they are at. Think of a time where you took that extra step to make a customer happy. Maybe you refunded a customer's order without them asking because it took too long or you helped carry food out for a customer who had their hands full.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"When I worked at the grocery store I saw a customer had dropped his cereal and was continuing to walk towards his car. I got someone to cover for me and ran out to deliver the dropped item to him. He was happy I made such an effort."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"Once I was helping a mom who was having difficulty calming her child. We kept stickers behind the register. I showed the child the stickers and let her pick one. The mom was very thankful that her child had stopped crying."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
11. Tell me about a time when it was better to be agreeable in a situation rather than continue the argument.
How to Answer
When you are in a argument it can be difficult to get out of it and come to an agreement. Sometimes we want to be right no matter what. The interviewer wants to know your work will always be your main focus and if an argument gets in the way you will find a way to compromise and continue with your work.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"My coworker and I were arguing over the best way to prepare the seasonal milkshake. I noticed that several cars had parked in the lot. Instead of continuing to argue we came to the conclusion that we each had our own unique method."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"On a school project I once got frustrated with my classmate for not agreeing with me on the pictures we should select for the PowerPoint. I noticed that time was quickly escaping us and decided we needed a compromise. He would select the first five images and I would do the next five."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
12. If you find a problem going on with two different employees, what would you do?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know your leadership style and how you handle difficult situations. Think back to a situation that best showcases your conflict resolution skills. What was the issue between the two employees? How did you intervene? What was the result of your intervention?
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"Once I had two employees that were arguing because one of them felt that they always had to pull the other one's weight whenever they were on the same shift together. We sat down the three of us and I asked each employee to share why they were frustrated. It turned out one of the employees tried to stay out of the other ones way because he feared that she did not like having him in her way. She told him he can always work by her side. They just needed the chance to talk it out."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"There used to be two employees on my team who were close friends outside of work. Whenever they were scheduled together they often chatted too much on the floor and goofed around. I told them I was happy they were friends but that if they wanted to continue to be scheduled together they needed to focus on their job."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
13. Why would you like a position at McDonalds?
How to Answer
It's important that you research McDonald's prior to coming into your interview. The interviewer wants to know that you are familiar with McDonalds's background, values and culture. This is your time to not only show that you have done your research but that you have also thought about the the position and how it fits into your long term goals.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"Growing up, I loved coming to McDonalds with my family. The crew members were always smiling and made sure that they got my order right. I want a position where I can be part of a team. I also like that McDonalds makes an effort to give back to their communities, that aligns with my values."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"I want to be a Crew Team Member with McDonald's because I want to gain customer service experience in a fast paced environment. I like that McDonald's offers career growth opportunities for their employees. I can myself eventually growing into a leadership role."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
14. How would you deal with an angry customer while you were busy completing tasks?
How to Answer
McDonalds serves many customers everyday and although most customers are happy, there will always be an angry customer every now and then. The important part is that you show the interviewer that you would know how to handle an angry customer, even if you were busy with another task such as completing an order with another customer, preparing a food item or cleaning up a spill.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"I remember I was once filling a container with straws by the soda machine when an angry customer walked up to me. He held out his bag of food to me and explained that he ordered two desserts, not one. I apologized for the mistake and quickly walked back to the register. I gave him a full refund and his second dessert. Later I went back and finished restocking the straws."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"Once I was helping a customer when another customer interrupted us to make a compliant. I politely explained that I would be with her momentarily after I finished helping my customer. She understood and I was able to resolve the issue by having her order remade."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
15. What would you do if a coworker asked you to help them steal?
How to Answer
Unfortunately employee theft occurs at McDonalds and it results in the company losing money and potentially terminating employees. Your interviewer wants to know that you know this kind of behavior is wrong and that you are committed to being an honest employee.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"This actually happened to me once. My coworker asked me if I wanted to take a couple of sandwiches to our group of friends after work without paying for it. I told him that although we got a free meal per our shift, that it did not apply to our friends. It was difficult at first to stand up to him but he wasn't expecting it and saw where I was coming from. It is never okay to steal product, equipment or money from your job!"
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"Luckily this has never happened to me. I was raised with the idea that stealing is never okay. I would tell the coworker that I would not help them steal and that if they did steal anyways, I would report them to the manager. I would rather do the right thing than appear to be cool to my friends."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
16. Where do you see yourself in two years?
How to Answer
Answering this question will help the interviewer determine if you are looking for a long term position or if this will be a stepping stone for you. Ultimately, McDonalds is looking for employees who want to stay with the company and grow with them long term. If you are interested in building a career at McDonalds, now is the time to mention that.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"I like that McDonalds has a commitment to providing growth opportunities with its employees. I am looking for a company where I can eventually grow into a leadership role and I think that McDonalds is a great fit."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"In two years I plan graduate with my Associates Degree in Business Administration. I read online that employees have started as a Crew Team Member and have gone on to work in a management or corporate position, that is definitely something I am interested in. "
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
17. How do you expect to make a difference at McDonalds?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know what makes you stand out from other applicants and what you will do to make a difference in the company. Try to focus in on one of your major strengths and describe how it could be used to make a positive impact.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"I pride myself on my ability to connect with people. I plan to use this strength to set an example of how to engage with customers. It is my hope that not only will customers leave happy but my team members will be inspired to put in the same amount of effort into serving others."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"In my previous role, I was able to improve our customer satisfaction rating as manager. I did this by training my employees on how to increase their accuracy in taking orders and how to best resolve customer disputes. If hired, I will do my best to make the customer experience here even better."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
18. Describe a time when you had to sacrifice quality to complete a job?
How to Answer
Answering this question will help the interviewer see how you prioritize your tasks and balance quality with quantity. Maybe you were in a rush and had to shorten part of your presentation for school. Maybe you had a spill at work that you had to clean but were not able to clean perfectly until later because a customer was waiting. Explain your reasoning for sacrificing quality.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"Once I was in charge of stocking inventory since we were having a slow afternoon. I was almost done with it when I was called to help out front. I had to leave some boxes out to help my team out and serve the customers. It felt weird at first leaving the task unfinished, but I knew I could complete it at closing. "
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"I once had three assignments for school due on the same night. I was struggling with how to end one of my papers. I looked at the clock and realized that I had to put something down. I did my best to think of a good conclusion but I knew it wasn't my best. I would rather turn in a complete paper than nothing at all."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
19. Describe a time when you disliked a company rule in your last job?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know what kind of rules you have difficulties with. You want to be careful not to name too many rules or important rules that all McDonalds employees need to follow. Make sure to follow up the rule that you do not like with an explanation of what you did to still be a good employee despite not agreeing with the rule.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"At my previous job we were not allowed to have our personal drinks where they would be visible to the customers. At first I was frustrated because I always love to have my water bottle nearby. I later got used to quickly going to the back and taking a sip when I needed to."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"I used to not like that my company always refunded a customer if they had a bad experience. I remember a customer being really unreasonable with their order and I did not agree that they should be refunded. Later that week the customer came back happy and has been a regular customer ever since. I realized that we have to do everything we can to make the customer happy and likely to chose our location over others."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
20. How often are you late for your responsibilities, such as school or work?
How to Answer
Like any company, McDonalds wants reliable employees. The team work nature of McDonalds means that being late for work can place a burden on all of the employees. If you have a great track record, share that with the interviewer. No one is perfect and maybe you were late once or twice. Explain to the interviewer how you handled the situation and what you did to make sure that you were not late again.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"I know how important it is to be punctual and meet all of your deadlines. I have only been late to school once this year. I overslept. To make sure I never did this again, I bough a back up alarm clock that I now use in addition to my phone. My two alarm clocks make sure that I always get up on time."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"I pride myself on leaving for work early and giving myself plenty of time to get there. I currently have to take the highway to work and it can get pretty congested. I have only been late to work once due to a big accident that closed down several lanes. I immediately notified my supervisor."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
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21. Tell me about your experience working in food?
How to Answer
Your interviewer is looking to understand more about your food industry experience. Highlight some of the tasks you completed at a previous job in the food industry and the skills you gained. You can mention your experience in being trained on the POS and correctly entering in orders or how you know how to safely prepare different food items. If you are new to the food industry, mention what you do know about it and how you hope to gain experience in it.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"I previously worked as a crew member at a nearby sandwich shop. It was my responsibility to make sure that all products were sliced and prepared for the sandwiches throughout the day. I had to juggle multiple orders and make sure that I was not missing any key ingredients that the team would need to build the sandwiches. It taught me how to be fast on my feet and communicate well with others."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"As a manager in the food industry, I know how important it is to ensure that each team member is handling the food correctly and delivering a quality product each time. This industry is fast paced and each of my employees needs to know how to safely and quickly prepare food. I also know how important great customer service is to every customer that walks through the door."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
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22. Do you prefer working in a team environment or alone?
How to Answer
Think about the position you are applying for. If you are applying to be a Crew Team Member or Shift Manager you will constantly be working in a team environment. If you enjoy working on a team, share that with your employee. If you are applying for a corporate position that needs a self-starter who can work independently, emphasize what you enjoy about working alone. Research your position and get a sense of what the working environment will be like.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"I love working in a team. I enjoy helping out my team members and working together to reach the same goals. It is pretty amazing how much you can get done when you all work together."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"In my previous job I worked alone and I enjoyed setting goals for myself and tracking my progress. I have not worked in a team environment before, but I would like to gain the experience. I sometimes felt lonely working alone and would enjoy the chance to work closely with others on a daily basis."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
23. What is your best personal trait?
How to Answer
The interviewer is trying to picture how you would work with the team and if your personality would be a good fit for the working environment. Try to think about your best personality trait and how it might benefit the position. For example, if you are applying to a Crew Team Member position and you are friendly, use that as it will benefit the position. If you are ambitious and applying for a leadership position, tie in how your ambition drives you to do your best and reach your goals.
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
1st Answer Example
"I would say my best personality trait is that I am very outgoing. I can strike up a conversation with just about anyone. I love to make connections with people. If I get this position, I will get to talk to new people everyday who come in to order food. I would enjoy that!"
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018
2nd Answer Example
"I would say that I am a kind person. I make an effort to always treat people the way I want to be treated. I think one of the most important things you can do in customer service is show kindness to the customers. It's more than them just getting their food, it's about having a good experience."
Written by Carly Zucker on July 29th, 2018