Since no qualifications are required to work in the fast food industry, recruiters will mostly rely on their feelings to make the hiring decision. This is why dressing appropriately and leaving a great first impression is crucial.
When going to a job interview at a fast-food restaurant, you should wear a business casual outfit if you’re interviewing for a line cook or cashier position. However, if the interview is for a managerial position, you should wear a business casual outfit.
In this article, we will give you examples of how you should dress and what you should avoid at all costs when dressing for a fast-food job interview.
The Perfect Fast-Food Job Interview Outfits
Unless you’re applying for a position on the backend, the chances are that you’ll be coming face-to-face with restaurant customers. This is why the interviewer will take into account the way you dress and act.
Best Outfits for Line Cooks, Cashiers, and Kitchen Helps
When you go for a cook or cashier interview, it’s essential to dress the part. But don’t overkill it, either. A neutral look is best; here is an outfit example:
- Upper body: Ideally, you should wear a collared shirt or a nice blouse. You can also wear a plain t-shirt or a polo shirt.
- Lower body: You should opt for dark conservative dress pants. You should avoid jeans, but if you have no other options, opt for a discrete color like blue or black.
- Shoes: Make sure you wear dress shoes for men or closed-toe flats or heels for women. You can also wear black socks as they are usually required for your fast-food uniform.
Ensure you don’t wear flashy colors; instead, choose neutral colors. A formal outfit isn’t out of place either but maybe not as extra as a suit jacket and a tie. Dress slacks, pencil skirts, a button-up, and a semi-formal look are best.
Best Outfits for Managers and Supervisors
If the position you’re going in for is that of a manager or supervisor, then a polished look between a business and casual could do the trick. However, going formal with a tie and suit is most advised. Try on a skirt, business dress, or pantsuit with a blazer and low heel shoes for the ladies.
A suit with button-downs and a tie is best.
Mistakes to Avoid When Dressing for a Fast Food Job Interview
Even if fast food jobs pay very little, you need to find a way to put some formality into it. You have to have some sense of responsibility, modesty, and class. Here are the clothing items you should never wear for fast interviews:
- Shorts
- Denim
- Low cut outfits
- Revealing dresses and shirts
- Gym clothes/athleisure
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Loud jewelry
- Joggers
- Sweatshirts
- Hoodies
- Extra tight clothes
- Too much makeup
- Wrinkled or stained clothing
Important: When applying for food preparation jobs, make sure you cut your hair and beard before the job interview. Beards and long haircuts are often not allowed for sanitary purposes.
Take Your Preferences Into Account
In all you do, always remember never to leave yourself out, as essential as your appearance might be. Your comfort and preferences shouldn’t be overlooked.
Whether you realize it or not, your outfit does affect your confidence, comfort, and overall energy. Your interviewer wants to meet the real you and see if you fit into the establishment’s vision as an individual.
Don’t try too hard to look a certain way that you find it even harder to be yourself in front of the interviewer.
Additional Tips
Here are some additional tips to ace your fast-food job interview:
- Arrive before the specified time to show punctuality and preparedness.
- Whether you’re doing a lunch interview or an interview in a fast-food restaurant, mind your manners just as you would in an office interview.
- Put your phone on silent and avoid receiving calls during the interview.
- Don’t leave your interviewer hanging while you divert your conversation and attention to an acquaintance you came across at the interview location.
- Show that you are willing to follow the code of conduct and instructions without complaining.