31 Panda Express Interview Questions & Answers

1. Do you have experience in corrective discipline and terminations?

How to Answer

Terminations and corrective discipline measures can be very difficult to do but, with experience, they do get more comfortable. Talk to the interviewer about the extent of your experience with terminations and discipline.

If you do have the experience: "I have been a part of individual terminations and group lay-offs throughout my career. I am comfortable with these types of tasks."

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"I have been a part of individual terminations and group lay-offs throughout my career. I am comfortable with these types of tasks."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"If you do not have the experience: "I have not been in a position to perform terminations or hold corrective discipline meetings; however, I would be willing to perform these types of tasks with a small amount of training and research."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Yes. I have been responsible for both disciplining and terminating employees."

Amanda's Feedback

You've answered concisely, but you can take this opportunity to give the interview more insight into your ability to manage a team. Consider talking about your approach to managing team performance and disciplining/terminating employees. If possible, share an example of a time when you successfully worked with an employee or team to take corrective action and improve performance. Don't forget to share the positive outcome.

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

How to Answer

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

Written by Rachelle Enns

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 Rachelle Enns

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 for which I am very passionate. 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. "

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I held the position of Training Coordinator for 2 years at our center. I guided new employees through the onboarding process as well as continued advanced training."

Amanda's Feedback

It sounds like this is a strong example that you can leverage better to illustrate your training expertise. Consider providing more information, such as how many new employees you onboarded and the kinds of advanced training you provided. Did you perform team training or one-on-one training? Did training take place in person, virtually, or through both avenues? You can also share how training helps others succeed by sharpening existing skills, providing new skills, or enabling them to utilize new tools or strategies.

3. 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 are related to this position, definitely share the skills you have learned and the similarities.

Written by Rachelle Enns

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 Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"I 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."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I enjoy reading and hiking. I also consider myself somewhat of a foodie who enjoys trying new foods I've never experienced."

Amanda's Feedback

Good job! You've shared activities that give the interviewer more insight into your personality. Consider sharing a little more about yourself, such as the kind of books you like to read, favorite areas to hike in, or new foods you've explored recently.

4. 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! Share that you have the means to get to work consistently and on time.

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"I have reliable transportation. My vehicle is in great condition, and I am comfortable with the amount of travel required to get to Panda Express every day."

Written by Rachelle Enns

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 snowstorm 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."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Yes. My vehicle is only 3 years old and still under warranty."

Amanda's Feedback

Good job! You've confirmed that you can be counted on to arrive on schedule.

5. 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 Rachelle Enns

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 a note from my Doctor accompanied those. Once I was late due to a terrible snow storm, and I always try to be 10 minutes early for my shift."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

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

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I generally take a total of three weeks a year. We accumulate 120 hours and we lose them if we do not use them. As far as callouts, I called out one day due to an injury outside of work."

Amanda's Feedback

Great! Your answer illustrates that you are a reliable employee that shows up and doesn't miss work.

6. 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. The 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 Rachelle Enns

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 prepared me for a leadership role. I am excited to take on a team lead role again."

Written by Rachelle Enns

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 leader for the challenge. I enjoyed that responsibility, and we ended up winning the reward in the end because my team increased sales by the highest percentage."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Management always has projects for the Center Leadership Team to address. I will often get a group of employees together and work out a game plan on how to accomplish the goals. The biggest success factor I believe is communication. With proper communication, everyone is aware of their role in the process."

Amanda's Feedback

You're right - communication is key to being a successful leader. However, this answer could benefit from being more specific. Rather than talking in general terms, talk about a specific time when you gathered the team, developed an action plan, and then accomplished the goal. Share details about how you communicated with your team to help them understand the goal and their unique roles. You can also talk about how you communicated when issues arose in order to quickly solve problems and maintain team momentum.

7. 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 significantly 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 Rachelle Enns

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 Rachelle Enns

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."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"My first reaction is to access the situation. Then find a resolution and finally determine how it began in the first place."

Amanda's Feedback

This is a good start! Share more about how you assess the situation before moving on to the rest of your answer. Do you ask probing questions or ask others for insight into what happened? This is also best answered by sharing an example of a time when you assessed a problem, worked to resolve it, achieved a positive outcome, and then addressed the root cause to prevent the issue from recurring.

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

How to Answer

When it comes to complex problem solving, decisions are not always readily reached. It takes practice, experience, and confidence to learn what sorts of decisions yield the best results. Walk the interviewer through your process when it comes to making quick decisions. Do you rely on past experiences? Perhaps you go with a gut feeling. Maybe you have read case studies that you lean on in these instances.

Problems that require you to act quickly can be emergency situations such as knowing where the fire extinguisher is and grabbing it fast enough to put out a small grease fire in the company kitchen. Other quick decisions could be if you are asked to take on a new responsibility and are 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 becomes to make these types of decisions. Demonstrate that you are confident and able to react swiftly when the need arises.

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"I thrive under pressure and always have, so when I'm given a time-sensitive situation to address, I light up and get down to business. I am more impactful and even more creative when I have little time to do much besides jump in and take charge. This ability to make fast decisions is especially helpful in my role as manager when there is an inventory, personnel, or customer issue."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"I respond well to 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."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"On occasion at my current job, a quick solution is required while following strict protocols. An example would be if a donor has a severe reaction. Being a member of management, I am responsible for coordinating our team and making snap judgments on how to proceed."

Amanda's Feedback

This is a good starting place. You've indicated that you sometimes have to respond with a quick solution to win your current role. However, you need to go deeper by talking about how you respond in situations that require a quick solution. Situations that require a quick solution can range from an emergency to a customer service issue or a conflict between team members. Consider using a specific example that demonstrates that you are able to react swiftly when needed to resolve an issue and achieve a positive outcome.

9. 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 workload. However; 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 Rachelle Enns

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 Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"I stuck up for an employee bullied in the workplace. They did not fit 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."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"State and federal laws require companies to produce schedules for employees in advance. Currently, at my center, the schedule changes so often that we are required to look the day before to see if we are scheduled to work. I brought it up to management and we had a discussion on how to address the situation."

Amanda's Feedback

This sounds like an example you can expand on. You can improve this answer by talking about how far in advance schedules are supposed to be produced and how employees felt about the frequent changes. Then, share how you approached management to express your team's needs and why you felt this would result in a negative response. Finally, talk about the outcome you achieved.

10. 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, to protect a co-worker, 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 Rachelle Enns

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 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 Rachelle Enns

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."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"This too depends on the situation. I believe transparency is essential, but if there really is no one to blame but a customer is so unhappy and feels the need to blame someone, I would take the responsibility while trying to remedy the situation."

Amanda's Feedback

I can see the balance you're trying to find in this answer. This question is tricky because taking the fall for a situation, to protect a co-worker, can show teamwork, but it isn't always the most honest option. You've answered in a way that shows your desire to help your team while also meeting customer needs. This is another great chance to make your answer more impactful and unique to you by sharing an example of a time when you took responsibility for your team's failure in an effort to resolve a customer issue. Then pivot to balance that example by talking to the interviewer about scenarios when you feel it would be inappropriate to protect a coworker by taking the fall for actions such as stealing, misuse of equipment, etc.

11. 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 at Panda Express.

Written by Rachelle Enns

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 Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

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

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I know every company's protocols are different but my first instinct would be to immediately contact HR to determine how to proceed."

Amanda's Feedback

Honesty and integrity are valued by all employers. They want to know they can trust their employees to do the right thing. Consider improving your answer by talking about any steps you'd take before calling HR. Would you confront the employee to clarify the situation and confirm if he or she was actually stealing?

12. 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 Rachelle Enns

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 Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"I was always raised to 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."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, to an extent. Sometimes if someone is struggling or underperforming, honest criticism may not be the preferred route. Sometimes it's just about being encouraging."

Amanda's Feedback

I appreciate your diplomatic response. Often it is a matter of balancing honesty with how you deliver your message in order to build trusting relationships. Use this question as an opportunity to share an example of a time when you shared honest feedback in a way that helped a team member improve or helped a team handle a project or meet a goal.

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

How to Answer

On a scale of 1-10, how skilled are you in communication? Why did you choose that particular rating for yourself?

Written by Rachelle Enns

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 Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"My verbal communication skills are strong; however, I would say that my written communication skills are not as strong. I 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."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I would say about a 9. I have the ability to communicate when the situation demands but I may not be as concise as I'd like to be on occasion."

Amanda's Feedback

Being a good communicator is vital to working with others or leading a team well. You've rated yourself highly, now take it a step further and share an example that illustrates your strong communication skills. Using the STAR approach will ensure you include all the important parts of your example: Talk about a Situation or Task (S-T), the Action you took (A), and the Results your achieved (R). This is what makes your interview answer uniquely yours.

14. Are you a leader or a follower?

How to Answer

A good leader takes the 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 critical 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 Rachelle Enns

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 Rachelle Enns

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."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"It depends on the situation. If being a good leader means being a follower, then that's the role I would take. Being a leader not only calls for taking control of a situation but communicating and working as a team."

Amanda's Feedback

I appreciate your balanced approach to this question. The workplace provides opportunities to be both a leader and a follower. When answering this question, it's important that you share a past example of your leadership experiences. It doesn't have to be a formal role as a manager or supervisor. It can be as simple as a time you influenced your coworkers to act or respond in a certain way. It's also important for you to share about a time when your ability to follow directions and listen to leaders helped your team achieve success. Think about the choices you made in each situation and how the situation affected your decision to lead or follow.

15. What questions do you have for me?

How to Answer

Don't let this question catch you by surprise! After you do your research on the company, write down some questions that came up for you. Next, review the company website, watch videos and read articles and press releases to see if any of those questions can be answered through those resources. Interviewers love to hear intelligent questions about their company culture, the work environment, awards and community involvement. They like to be praised for the ways you are impressed by their innovation, reputation, and impact on their industry. Be strategic with your questions. If you still have uncertainties about the position that needs to be clarified, this is an opportunity to get those answers as well.

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"Thank you for asking - I do have a few questions. What is top of mind when it comes to filling this role? Also, what types of career growth opportunities would follow this position? And lastly, do you have internal candidates who are also interviewing for this position?"

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"Here are some sample questions:

- When would you like to have this position filled?
- How long has this role been vacant?
- Is this a replacement search or a newly created role?
- What is your favorite part about working here?
- What is the company's primary goal for this position in the next 12 months?
- Is there anything from my background and experience that I can clarify for you?
- What do you see as the most significant change in this industry over the past three years?
- Is there any reason why you would not hire me?"

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Could you please give me a few reasons why you like working for Panda Express?"

Amanda's Feedback

Having a question or two ready to ask shows the interviewer that you're engaged with the conversation, and eager to learn more. You've done a good job asking an open-ended question that can't be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." Interviewers will expect you to have done research on the company and familiarized yourself with the basics of what they offer. For example, if you're interested in a particular training program or leadership development opportunity you could ask a question to gain more insight into program specifics.

16. How do you handle stress?

How to Answer

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

Written by Rachelle Enns

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 not to get distracted. Staying on deadline is very helpful, and I will delegate when necessary to alleviate some stress."

Written by Rachelle Enns

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."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"There are certain levels of stress in every job. I've learned to compartmentalize a situation into smaller parts to cope with situations. Delegating to subordinates also helps alleviate stress to a degree."

Amanda's Feedback

You've answered well by sharing that you break stressful tasks or situations into smaller, more manageable pieces. You can strengthen your response by providing a specific example of how you've handled stress well in the past, or telling about a time when increased pressure actually helped you work more productively. This illustrates your ability to transform stress into action, successfully turning a negative into a positive, to accomplish your goal.

17. We have some strong competition at Panda Express. What do you think makes us stand out?

How to Answer

The interviewer would like to know what attracts you to a role with Panda Express. Discuss how this position stands out to you over any others.

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"I believe that Panda Express stands out above its competitors because it has an incredible reputation for quality food and a family atmosphere. I love that your signature dish, the orange chicken, was created in the 1980's and remains your most popular dish. I'd like to work for an organization that takes quality and service as seriously as you do."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"Through my research of Panda Express I have found that you stand out most by your dedication to family, quality food, and keeping the quality of your Chinese food despite being labeled as 'fast-food.'"

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I believe the consistency of the quality menu items Panda Express provides makes it stand out. Not only that, but the menu prices are very competitive."

Amanda's Feedback

You've answered well! Consider demonstrating your knowledge of the industry and the company's offerings by naming 1-2 of the company's primary competitors and sharing more specifically what makes Panda Express a standout dining choice. Is the service always consistently good? Do they offer innovative menu items or engaging product promotions that keep customers coming back? Is the overall food/ingredient quality better than their top competitors?

18. When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?

How to Answer

Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks differently. Discuss with the interviewer how you typically cope with delays in the workplace.

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"Experiencing a setback is always disappointing, and can be a bit disheartening, but I understand that it happens from time to time. If I experience a major setback, I will take a few moments to debrief with my manager and discuss what I could have done differently. Then, I move on!"

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"I understand that setbacks happen from time to time. I don't enjoy setbacks, but I do take them as a learning experience. If I face a setback in the workplace, I will often ask for help to recover the time, if a deadline is in front of me. If it's a difficult customer who shook me up, I will take a breather outside for a moment. There is always a healthy way to cope."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"A setback is always disappointing, but it also creates a learning opportunity."

Amanda's Feedback

Setbacks happen to everyone. What's most important is how you respond. You can strengthen this answer by talking about how you handle a setback. Do you pause to evaluate what happened, make adjustments, and try again? This would be a great opportunity to use the STAR method. Share a Situation that had a positive outcome. Describe the specific Task you were supposed to accomplish. Tell about the Action you took to overcome a challenge and complete the task. Finally, share the Result and how you contributed to the successful outcome."¨

19. When have you been asked to perform a function or complete a task in which you had little or no experience in doing?

How to Answer

Have you ever had to take on a task or a role that you felt was over your experience level? Talk to the interviewer about a time when you have dealt with this type of situation. What was the outcome, and what did you learn?

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"When my manager went on unexpected medical leave for three months last year I was asked to step into her position in the interim. I knew the basics but was certainly not trained on the specifics of the role. I was able to take it on successfully by leaning on my team, reading a lot of company manuals, and asking many questions. Once my manager returned she was very pleased with the progress that I made, and I was promoted."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"When I was a hostess in my last position, one of our servers called in sick at the last minute on a busy Saturday night. My boss put me into a server role with very little training. It was intimidating, but I felt a rush at the same time. The night was successful, and my tips were a great reward!"

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"When I was promoted to training coordinator with my current employer, I only had one week of training before I began the new position. I eventually not only learned the position but was promoted to be a designated trainer where I would train new training coordinators from other centers."

Amanda's Feedback

Great job! You've used a strong example with a positive outcome. You can make it even stronger by sharing the skills or characteristics you used to excel as a training coordinator such as adaptability or an ability to learn quickly.

20. At Panda Express, our restaurants are open evenings and weekends. What are your preferred shifts? Do you have any limitations to your availability?

How to Answer

If you have any restrictions on your schedule, it is best to bring this up with the interviewer right away. The restaurant industry is fast-moving and nearly always open. When can the manager rely on you to be there?

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"My schedule is very open except for Monday evenings. I am able and willing to work overtime, and weekends as well."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"I am a team player with very few limitations to my schedule. I do have classes on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Other than that, I am available."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I have open availability but would prefer somewhat of a set schedule so I can work my schooling into a routine."

Amanda's Feedback

Great answer! You have communicated that willing to be flexible but would like to work around your class schedule, which is a reasonable request.

21. Have you taken any Food Safety courses?

How to Answer

The interviewer would like to know if you have taken any food specific training or certifications? If you are Food Safety Certified, be sure to bring that certification with you to your interview. If you know of any industry-specific certifications required of you, be sure to address those in the discussion.

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"I have taken Food Safety Level I, II and III. I see that you mention ABC and XYZ in your job posting. I do not have training in these areas; however, I am more than willing to take this training and become certified before my first shift."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"I am happy to take any food safety courses that you recommend. Because this would be my first position in the restaurant industry, I am new to these topics. With that said, I am very confident in my ability to quickly succeed. Are there any courses I could take to better prepare, while you make your hiring decision?"

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, I have a food handlers card several times over the years. The most recent was just a couple of years ago when we were serving BBQ at my current job. At that company, we are well aware of FDA rules and regulations and I wanted to ensure that we were not in violation of any laws."

Amanda's Feedback

Great! You've demonstrated that you have food safety expertise and a desire to comply with all applicable regulations. You can enhance this answer by talking about why food safety knowledge is important in order to protect customers and employees, ensuring repeat business, and grow company revenue.

22. At Panda Express we handle a lot of cash transactions throughout the day. Do you consider yourself responsible and trustworthy? Give me an example.

How to Answer

Assure the interviewer that you are trustworthy and honest. Speak about times in your career that your employers have relied on you. You can also refer to any positive employment references.

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"When I worked at Company ABC, I was responsible for balancing approximately 10K in cash every day. There was never a discrepancy. I have solid references who will speak to my honest and reliable character as well."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"I consider myself honest, trustworthy, and responsible. A great example of my honesty would be the written reference that I have from my most recent employer. Here is a copy for you."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I have always taken pride in the fact that I am responsible and trustworthy. My previous job as a manager required daily cash handling and nightly deposits. I can also provide references that would attest to my commitment."

Amanda's Feedback

It sounds like you have a history of being trustworthy! You can improve this answer by talking about your rate of accuracy with cash handling and deposits. If the cash drawer was balanced correctly each day or your deposits were correct and made on time every night, saying show can illustrate your help highlight your reliability.

23. Do you see long term career potential with Panda Express? If so, where would you like to see your position go in the next 2-3 years?

How to Answer

Talk to the interviewer about the ways that you would like to see your career grow with Panda Express. What type of role would you want to gain in the future?

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"I would like to see my experience in leadership grow over the next few years. Panda Express has a strong reputation for developing and promoting their employees which is something that I am excited about."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"I would like to see a long-term fit with Panda Express. If I could grow with your company, I would like to see it turn into a management role that includes a component of human resources. I am currently earning my BA in Human Resources and would love to have an opportunity here when I graduate."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Absolutely. That is a primary motivator. With Panda Express's reputation for the development and advancement of employees, I see no limit to where I could go within the company."

Amanda's Feedback

I like that I can sense your enthusiasm in your answer! However, the interviewer is trying to determine if you've sincerely thought about your future with the company and how this role fits into your desired career path. You can improve your response by talking about how you see yourself growing into the role you're applying to or how this position would help sharpen skills or provide experience important to help you prepare for a more advanced role with the company.

24. How do you manage difficult customers?

How to Answer

The interviewer would like to know that you can professionally and tactfully handle demanding customers and challenging situations.

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"I have handled very challenging customers in my previous roles and can remain professional through all situations. When I face a difficult customer, I find that it is usually due to a breakdown in communication. Because I am a strong communicator, I can diffuse most situations."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"When I have a difficult customer I will try to kill them with kindness. It's often difficult for a negative person to continue being negative when they have nothing feeding the fire in the first place."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Over the years I've had to manage difficult customers who were difficult for different reasons. The trick is to try to look at the situation from their perspective and respond accordingly."

Amanda's Feedback

Looking at the situation from the customer's perspective is a great place to start! Now, make this answer more memorable by giving a specific example of a time when you helped a particularly difficult customer resolve an issue. Make sure to include the positive outcome. You can also share the specific skills you use or steps you take to handle a difficult customer with professionalism and empathy by remaining calm, actively listening as they speak to understand the customer's need, and adapting in order to find a solution.

25. The casual dining industry is very competitive and turnover can be high. Why do you want to work for Panda Express over any of our competitors?

How to Answer

Casual dining has a higher turnover rate than many industries, and it's often to no fault of the company. Assure the interviewer that you see a longer-term fit with Panda Express.

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"I have researched Panda Express and read a lot about your company culture and customer service philosophy. I would choose you over your competitors because your organization seems genuine, honest, and you do what you can to encourage growth in your employees."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"I want to work for Panda Express first because you have a well-known reputation for strong management, growth opportunities, and fair pay. I would be thrilled to build a lucrative career with Panda Express."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I like the culture Panda Express offers. I Would like to be part of team that encourages employees to reach their potential and makes them feel like valued employees. They also offer competitive wages."

Amanda's Feedback

This is a solid response. However, you can make it more unique to you by talking about the cultural values or company offerings that make you feel like a valued employee such as welcoming employee feedback and ideas, rewarding excellent performance with incentives/recognition, or providing tuition assistance, advanced training, or leadership development programs that help employees grow.

26. What do you know about the workplace culture at Panda Express?

How to Answer

Assure the interviewer that you have researched the workplace culture at Panda Express. What do you enjoy about the culture, and how does it align with what you are seeking?

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"I have spoken to a few people that have worked for Panda Express, and they all have great things to say. They say that you have a great focus on family, embracing diversity, and helping people to see their potential. I am seeking a workplace environment that is collaborative and positive and this role seems like a perfect fit."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"I have researched Panda Express a great deal, before coming in today. On your website, you mention that you have a collaborative culture with a primary focus on 'service-with-a-smile.' This culture is precisely the one that I am looking to work in."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I've heard and seen, that Panda Express provides a positive environment that actively embraces family values and assists employees in reaching their potential."

Amanda's Feedback

I can see where you're going with this response! You can make your answer more memorable by being more specific. Consider talking about specific values you can sense when interacting with employees such as kindness, integrity, or respect. You can also demonstrate that you've done basic research into the company's values or mission by sharing 1-2 specific ways the company enables employees to reach their potential. For example, if the company provides tuition assistance, advanced training, or leadership development programs talk about how those are long-term investments in employee and company success.

27. At Panda Express we offer a strong training program. What aspects of training do you feel you need most?

How to Answer

Talk to the interviewer about any areas of training that you feel you may be lacking. If you could choose the focus of your training, what would you pick?

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"If I could choose an aspect of training I would like to learn more about health and safety. My end goal is to gain a leadership position with Panda Express so some training as a team lead would be valuable as well."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"When it comes to training in the restaurant industry, I feel that I could use more training in the operation of the point of sale systems. I like to fully understand the software programs and platforms that I work with, to ensure efficiency and faster service for my tables."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I would need a refresher on the business management aspect. It's been over 6 years since I've been in the industry."

Amanda's Feedback

This is an answer you can build on. You can give the interview clearer insight by sharing specific aspects of business management you'd like to review again and how that additional training will benefit your location or team.

28. At Panda Express we encourage education and training for our employees. If you could further your education, what path would you choose, and why?

How to Answer

Talk to the interviewer about your education and training and discuss any areas where you would like to expand your knowledge. Keep your answer simple. If possible, keep your reply related to the career path for which you are interviewing. For instance: You want to avoid declaring your desire to be a dolphin trainer when you're applying for a regional sales manager role.

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"If I could further my education in any way I would choose to expand my knowledge in training a variety of Asian kitchen and cooking techniques. The culture fascinates me, and there is so much to learn."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"I appreciate that Panda Express encourages continued education and training. That's so great to hear! If I could further my education in any way, I would choose to take courses in leadership and management. I would love to end up in a supervisory role later in my career."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I am actively enrolled in school working on my Bachelor's Degree in business management to help further my career."

Amanda's Feedback

Great! Choosing to further your education to help you along your career journey shows initiative and a willingness to work hard to achieve a goal. You can strengthen your answer further by talking about how your degree will benefit your career path. Will it help you hone specific skills or provide expertise in new areas?

29. At Panda Express we have gained a lot of momentum this year using social media marketing techniques. Do you follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter?

How to Answer

Before an interview, you should always thoroughly research the company's online presence and, if possible, follow them on social media. This research is also helpful because many companies will post their new openings using their social media platforms. The interviewer would like to know if you are authentically engaged in the Panda Express brand and product.

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"I know that you have a great social media presence and I do follow your Instagram account. Of course, your posts always make me hungry! What I love about the Panda Express Instagram account is that you have the Panda Express Trailblazers - quick videos that interview people who have seen success and beaten the odds. I recently watched the video of Connie Chung, the first Asian woman to co-anchor the national news. It was inspiring."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"I am not involved with social media; however, I can only imagine that your posts are fun and mouthwatering. Should I end up on these social platforms, I will be sure to follow Panda Express."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Yes, I use Facebook and Twitter regularly. That is where I find out about new entrees being offered and also recently about the scam post on Facebook."

Amanda's Feedback

Good job! You've talked about which social media platforms you use and how they enable you to connect with the company. Consider taking it a step further to talk about the value you see in using social media to connect with customers, communicate about promotional items, etc.

30. At Panda Express we put a lot of pride in the cleanliness of our restaurants. How important is cleanliness to you?

How to Answer

The interviewer would like to know that you have an interest in keeping up their high standards of cleanliness. Give examples of times when you went over and above to meet cleanliness standards in your previous role(s).

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"I am very concerned about cleanliness as it has everything to do with first impressions, and also the health of your customers. In my current position, I am always the first to notice anything out of place or in disorder. Rest assured, I would be proud to uphold the cleanliness standards at Panda Express."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"I appreciate that Panda Express has such a strong focus on cleanliness. I have taken some health and safety related courses and am confident that you will be more than satisfied with my standard when it comes to cleanliness."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Cleanliness is extremely important especially in this industry and in this time of Covid. The foodservice industry could not survive without maintaining the proper levels of cleanliness."

Amanda's Feedback

I can see where you're headed! Cleanliness is especially important in the hospitality/food industry. You can enhance your response by also talking about how cleanliness protects not only customers but also employees, which helps ensure appropriate staffing levels. Consider also sharing what cleanliness communicates to customers - that the quality of their experience and their safety is of utmost importance to the company. You can also provide an example of how you ensure cleanliness by assigning routine cleaning at frequent intervals, ensuring there are adequate cleaning supplies, etc.

31. At Panda Express we put a great deal of value on customer service. How would you describe your customer service skills?

How to Answer

Assure the interviewer that you can meet their customer service standards. Draw on your references or examples of a time when you went over and above for a customer.

Written by Rachelle Enns

1st Answer Example

"Your customer service standards are one of the reasons I was so attracted to your company. I am highly trained in hospitality and am a very attentive individual. When you call my references, they will attest to my great customer service skills."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2nd Answer Example

"I would describe my customer service skills as consistent, positive, and energetic. As a customer of Panda Express in the past, I appreciate the value you put on customer service. Your slogan, 'From our Family to Yours' is a mission you stand by which is great to see."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I've had many years of customer service. Starting with my first job at Burger King in 1987. Over the years, I've learned the most valuable characteristic is to see things from the customer's perspective and respond accordingly."

Amanda's Feedback

Excellent customer service is a hallmark of most successful businesses, and it sounds like you have significant customer service experience. While empathizing with the customer is an important part of customer service, consider taking it a step further by describing your customer service skills in more detail. Do you respond to each customer with professionalism and patience? Are you resourceful when it comes to resolving customer issues? Do you practice active listening and clear communication to understand and meet customer needs?