Hourly Associate Interview Guide

1. Prepare for the interview

Candidate Name: Position: Desired Hourly Wage:
Interviewer Name: Interview Date:

2. Getting to know the candidate 3. P-R-O Questions

“Hi! My name is _________, I am the manager of this store. P Share with me a time when you didn’t get along with your
Please have a seat. Thank you for coming for the interview! coworkers. Why didn’t you get along?
May I offer you something to drink?”
R How did you resolve the issue?
“I will be asking you some questions and please be as specific
as possible. Also, I will be taking notes.”
O What was the outcome?

Have you ever been to Panda Express before?

P Share with me a time when you delivered guest service that

exceeded the guest expectations.
Could you share why you are interested in joining Panda?
R How did you respond to the situation?

What are your current job duties?

O What was the guest reaction?

What were your job duties at your previous job?

Please describe your greatest accomplishment. Why was this
P important?

Why did you decide to leave?

R What steps did you take to achieve it?

Is the availability on your application is correct? O How did it affect your life?

Yes/No

4. Talk Straight, Inspire & Close 5. Evaluate

Say: Thank you for answering all my questions! Do you have Personal Presentation Acceptable Not Acceptable
any questions for me? Interest Level Yes No
Open to Learning Yes No
Talk Straight – Say: Panda has very high standards and this Communication Skills Yes No
can be challenging. We care about our people. I want you to Listening Skills Yes No
be happy with your choice and know that this is the best ………………………………………………………………….…….
place for you. Overall Decision to Hire Yes No
………………………………………………………………..………
Inspire – Say: Our Mission is “Deliver exceptional Asian
Reference Check
dining experiences by building an organization where people
Company Name:
are inspired to better their lives.”
Employment Start / End Date:
• I really enjoy working at Panda because …
Candidate’s Job Title:
• What inspires me in Panda is …
Reason for Leaving:
Eligible for re-hire? Why?
Close – Say: Thank you for coming today, if you are selected
Other comment:
for the next step, you will hear from us within ….…… days.
Also, Panda participates in E-
E-Verify, which means we verify
social security numbers and work authorization of all new
associates.
associates

Updated 05/25/10
 User’
User’s Manual - Hourly Associate Interview Guide
1. Prepare for the interview
• Review the candidate’s resume & application. Notice blanks, gaps & patterns in work experience, and any issues you have questions.
• Do NOT write anything or mark on the application, use a separate paper or sticky notes if needed.
• Review the Interview Guide and modify P-R-O questions as needed based upon the candidate’s experience.

2. Open the interview 3. P-R-O Questions

“Hi! My name is _________, I am the manager of this Past Situation – What happen? When did this happen?
store. Please have a seat. Thank you for coming for the Response – What did you do? How did you respond?
interview! May I offer you something to drink?” Outcome – How did things turn out? What was the result?
See the examples for each question below. Use PRO to open the discussion and
Explain the process learn more about the candidates past behaviors & how they handled that specific
situations. Do they align with Panda’s Values?
“I will be asking you some questions and please be as
specific as possible. Also, I will be taking notes.” Share with me a time when you didn’
didn’t get along with your coworkers. Why
didn’’t you get along?
didn
Get to know why the candidate wants to work for P Please describe the situation?
When did this happen?
Panda.
How did you resolve the issue?
“Have you ever been to Panda Express before?” What did you do?
R How did you react?
If yes: What was the outcome?
“What is your favorite dish?” What was the end result?
“How often do you eat at Panda Express?”
O How did the people involve feel?
“How was your experience?” exceeded
Share with me a time when you delivered guest service that exceeded the guest
“What do you like best about Panda Express?” expectations.
Tell me about what happen?
If no:
P When did this happen?
“How did you learn about Panda?” How did you know that would exceed their expectation?
“What do you know about us?” How did you respond to the situation?
“Why do you want to work at Panda?” What did the guest tell you?
R What was your response?
What was the guest reaction?
Ask questions to learn about past job experiences and
why they left their previous/current job. O What was the end result?
What impact did it make?
“What are your current job duties?”
Please describe your greatest accomplishment. Why was it important?
important?
“What were your job duties at your previous job?”
“What did you like least about your previous job?” P When did this happen?
How did you notice that there was an issue?
“Why did you decide to leave?” What steps did you take to achieve it?
“Did you consider other options before you left?”
R What did you do?
How did you respond?
Confirm the dates & times the candidate can work, do NOT ask How did it affect your life?
why he/she can not work on certain days.
O What was the end result?
What impact did it make?

4. Talk Straight, Inspire & Close 5. Evaluate & Check Reference

Ask if candidate has questions about Panda. Observe Personal Presentation
the interest level and listen to any concerns candidate • High energy and smiles
may have. • Dresses clean and is well groomed
• Good personal hygiene
Talk Straight:
Straight Tell the truth instead of selling the job.
Interest Level
Share the real picture of working in your store. What is • Shows high interest by asking questions about Panda
challenging, what is the requirement and expectation. • Wants to grow with Panda
Inspire: Share Panda’s Culture, Mission and Values. Open to Learning
Share why you enjoy working at Panda, what inspires • Has an interest to learn new things
you, what you’ve learned, how you’ve been growing • Uses opportunities to self improve
in career, etc. Communication Skills
Close: Thank the candidate for their time and interest. • Has eye contact
Tell the candidate your next step. • Does not mumble voice is clear
Listening Skills
Say: Share Panda’s participation in E-Verify for all new
• Gives full attention
associates so the candidate will be prepared to prove • Does not interrupt
work authorization upon receiving a job offer. SSA ………………………………………………………………………………………..…
(Social Security Administration). DHS (Department of Overall Decision to Hire - After the interview, determine if you want to hire this
Homeland Security). Read the paragraph to ALL candidate or not.
candidates to maintain consistency. ……………………………………………………………………………………..…….
Reference Check - Call the current or previous employers to confirm dates of
employment and job title.