Glassdoor is your free inside look at California Pizza Kitchen interview questions and advice. All 28 interview reviews posted anonymously by California Pizza Kitchen employees and interview candidates.
California Pizza Kitchen Interview Questions & Reviews
Getting the Interview 28 Interviews
Interview Experience 25 Ratings
Server at California Pizza Kitchen
Declined Offer – Reviewed Apr 17, 2013
Interview Details – Two parts - the first is a group interview that involved a short test on ingredient/food/wine knowledge. We were offered drinks and given a basic intro to the company and what its like to work for CPK. The second part was an in-person interview with a hiring manager; mine was very polite and friendly.
Interview Question – What is a Jicama? Answer Question
Reason for Declining – I was told I would have the position if I was willing to work more than seasonally, which I was not.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Hostess at California Pizza Kitchen
Declined Offer – Reviewed Mar 14, 2013
Interview Details – Ask to answer the phone and seat people
Interview Question – How to contribute to financial success Answer Question
Reason for Declining – Not enough hours, part time
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Server at California Pizza Kitchen
Declined Offer – Reviewed Feb 18, 2013
Interview Details – Walked in
Interview Question – Describe a great dining experience Answer Question
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Trainer at California Pizza Kitchen
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Jun 2009 – Reviewed Feb 13, 2013
Interview Details – 3 interviews
Interview Question – Wine knowledge Answer Question
Negotiation Details – No
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Server at California Pizza Kitchen
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Atlanta, GA Aug 2011 – Reviewed Jul 20, 2012
Interview Details – Interview was meeting with a manager who then would decide if they wanted to have you meet with another manager. After the second person you meet with one more manager. Then you are invited to a group session where you begin your training.
Interview Question – Tell me about your strengths and weaknesses... Answer Question
Negotiation Details – Not negotiable. $2.13 + Tips....
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Hostess at California Pizza Kitchen
No Offer – Interviewed in McLean, VA Jun 2012 – Reviewed Jul 8, 2012
Interview Details –
i was eating lunch one day and asked the server if CPK was hiring..he said yes . so i applied online for hostess..
got an email a few days later from the manager, saying there was interview that week on Monday, tuesday and wednesday starting at 2:30 pm.
I went to the interview on wednesday- it was a group interview. they asked us all questions about customer service etc, and then they had us fill out this "quiz" thing, asking us what we would bring to the job, what person from the group interview you would hire, etc.
Interview Question – Describe one time at a previous job where the customers thought that you had bad customer service Answer Question
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Hostess at California Pizza Kitchen
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Indianapolis, IN Jul 2011 – Reviewed Jul 7, 2012
Interview Details – I went in to fill out a paper application at the hiring site. One of the managers asked me a few questions. Then, she scheduled me for an interview the following week. With the interview, it was with the kitchen manager and the G.M. The asked me a few basic questions and i got the within ten minutes.
Interview Question – What was one bad experience and one very good experience when eating at a restaurant? Answer Question
Negotiation Details – There was no negotiation.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Server at California Pizza Kitchen
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in La Jolla, CA Oct 2010 – Reviewed Apr 26, 2012
Interview Details – Be prepared to meet with each manager in the store and get questions about team work.
Interview Question – Tell me about a time you had to deal with an angry customer Answer Question
Negotiation Details – You get hourly plus tips so no negotiating is possible
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Server at California Pizza Kitchen
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Thousand Oaks, CA Feb 2012 – Reviewed Apr 23, 2012
Interview Details – They have group interviews every Wednesday or something like that, so I went in with my application already filled out. They ask you a few questions and they give you a little questionnaire seeing how much knowledge you have about certain vegetables and wine. I got a call back a few days later for a private interview, I had 2 in the same day and got a call a few days later and I was hired but training wasn't to start for a month.
Interview Question – Give me an example of a time you went out of your way to make an upset guest happy. Answer Question
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
Hostess at California Pizza Kitchen
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Huntington Beach, CA Dec 2010 – Reviewed Feb 5, 2012
Interview Details – I got the job and worked there for over 3 years so I know the in's and outs of the interview process. They will usually call you back within a week of you turning in your application in store if there hiring. Then they will have you come in for a group interview usually with around 10-20 people, dress nice for this please don't ever wear sandals they hate that. They'll go around the table asking basic questions and then ask if you have any questions. Make sure you smile and seem outgoing during interview but not fake, so don't over due it they'll see right through you. If you make it past that then you will usually have 1- 2 one on one interviews with a manager at which if they like you they usually offer you the job then. It depends when you'll start because they have to put you through a training and they like to hire a decent amount of people and train them all together
Interview Question – Did you ever have a conflict with another employee are see them doing something they shouldn't, and how did you handle it? Answer Question
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Problem with this interview?
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