California Pizza Kitchen Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated May 2, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 20 ratings 
“Easy” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 20 ratings
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| 1–10 of 20 California Pizza Kitchen Interviews | Sort by |
Server at California Pizza Kitchen
Posted May 2, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2012 (took 3 days)
I interviewed with 3 managers with the final being with the general manager.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
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No
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Server at California Pizza Kitchen
Posted Apr 26, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2010 in La Jolla, CA (took 4 days)
Be prepared to meet with each manager in the store and get questions about team work.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
You get hourly plus tips so no negotiating is possible
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, a Skills Test and a Background Check.
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Server at California Pizza Kitchen
Posted Apr 23, 2012
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Feb 2012 in Thousand Oaks, CA (took 1 week)
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 Questions
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
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Hostess at California Pizza Kitchen
Posted Feb 5, 2012
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2010 in Huntington Beach, CA (took 2 weeks)
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 Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
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No
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Server at California Pizza Kitchen
Posted Nov 23, 2011
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2009 in Oak Brook Mall Branch, IL (took 2 weeks)
The Managers wanted to see if we could describe and sell the food and drinks.
We're not order takers, we're sales people.
The managers wanted to only hire people who were passionate about they're job.
Attitude, demeanor, personality, character, and presentation.
CPK gets a lot of upper middle class people.
so servers have to cater to caring for they're every need.
that's why earn $10-20/hr in tips alone!
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
everyone starts off at $4/hour and the government taxes us on it!
freaking taxes!
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Presentation and an IQ/Intelligence Test.
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Hostess at California Pizza Kitchen
Posted Oct 15, 2011
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jun 2011 in Lakewood, CA (took 2 weeks)
I had applied online, which was more of just a questionnaire than an application. I received an email that was addressed to about fifteen other people that said we had been invited to a "special" group interview a few days later. I was surprised that this CPK was still doing interviews, since a friend had interviewed there only about a month prior in another group interview. I got there about ten minutes early, and filled out an actual application this time. I was taken aback at the large amount of people there- in addition to at least the fifteen other recipients of the email, there were others that had walked in to ask for applications and were invited to stay for the interview. Total, there was probably twenty-five people. We were taken out onto the outdoor patio and given water, since it was pretty hot that day. We were then separated by what position we were applying for- server or host. The hiring manager told us about each position and about her experience working up to manager. We were given time to fill out a short skills test, with questions about types of wine, herbs, and cheese. After that, we were all asked questions about our previous work experience, what we liked or disliked about it, and why we wanted to work there. However, it was very difficult to answer anything with that amount of people... I'm not the type of person to talk over people or swoop in before the manager was even done asking the question, and by the time those people were done talking, I felt like anything I said would just be repeating what had already been said. We left our resumes and reference sheets and were told to expect a call in a week or two.
I felt like the amount of people at this interview is what made it difficult- if this was a 1:1 interview, or even just with a smaller group, it would have gone much more smoothly. Twenty-five people were just too many, especially when they all have more work experience and were talking over each other to answer first.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
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Host at California Pizza Kitchen
Posted Oct 7, 2011 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2011 in Seattle, WA (took 3 days)
Best interview(s) I've ever had. I went in on a Wednesday and met with two managers separately, each interview lasted around ten minutes. They asked a few questions about my resume and experience and showed slight concern (I've only had volunteer work before this job) but ultimately seemed more interested in my personality and intelligence. I went back on a Friday for a brief, final interview with the General Manager which ended with a job offer.
While all of the interviews consisted of a handful of typical, straightforward questions, much of the time it felt more like a conversation than an interview. The atmosphere at CPK is very positive and casual but hard-working. Keeping that in mind when answering their questions is key, and having experience as a customer there will help you too.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I was informed that CPK would pay minimum wage plus a part of tips--which was just fine with me. To work at CPK you might need to be flexible about hours depending on the location--the restaurant I applied at was only able to offer me 30-35 hours per week even though I would have liked full time.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Server at California Pizza Kitchen
Posted Jul 31, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2011 (took a day)
I saw that a new CPK restaurant was opening at Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton, CA and signed up for a group interview in one of the corporate buildings across the street and went in for an interview the next day along with about 10 other people. The interview lasted about one hour and consisted of the interviewer going over CPK's history, values, and why it's a great place to work. Each applicant had the chance to answer two questions:
1. Introduce Yourself
2. Describe a Difficult Work Experience/ or else your Favorite Restuarant
I realized that most of the other people there had experience working in the restaurant industry and I lacked such experience, so I assume that I didn't get a call back because of my lack of experience. It's a good idea to bring in a pad of paper and take notes, stand up when you speak and face the other people, and be sure to socialize before and after the interview. Also, know your ingredients.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
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Server at California Pizza Kitchen
Posted Jul 29, 2011
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2010 (took a day)
It was very easy. I was immediately offered a position after meeting with the general managers in person. They basically went over the procedures at CPK and then asked if I had any questions.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, a Personality Test and a Background Check.
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Helpful Interview?
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Server at California Pizza Kitchen
Posted Jun 14, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Sep 2009 in Raleigh, NC (took a day)
Group hire. Phone call invitation with general questions. They hire in batches and usually a few quit or don't pass the tests.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
no
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
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