What a Teenager Should Wear to a Fast-Food Job Interview

This article provides teenagers detailed guidelines on how to dress for a fast-food job interview in order to make the best first impression.  It also provides tactical interview tips and strategies to help you land the job on the spot. 

First Impressions Matter

You only make a first impression once.  As a teenager preparing for a first job interview at a fast-food or fast casual restaurant, wearing the right outfit is great way to make a strong first impression with your potential employer.  It shows respect and that you are taking this opportunity seriously.  Let’s discuss options.

Elevate your attire one level above what current employees wear

My top recommendation is elevating your attire one level above what current employees wear on the job to give you a professional, polished look. This category of dress is typically called business casual.  This article provides a deep dive into the various categories of workplace attire. For example, let’s say you are interviewing for a job at Chick-fil-and the dress code for employees is a polo shirt and black pants. Elevating your clothing to be one level dressier than employees could include dress pants or khaki pants and a button-down shirt or collared shirt for teen boys and dress pants and a blouse or dress shirt for teen girls.  For shoes, I recommend dress shoes for teen boys, if you have a pair or are able to borrow a pair.  Dress shoes can be expensive so if that is not a reasonable option, a clean pair of sneakers in good condition can work too.  For teenage girls, closed toed shoes which can include ballet flats, regular flats or even high heels is the recommendation.  The reason I mention closed toed toes is because they tend to look a bit dressier.  Neutral colors are always a safe bet vs. any color or pattern choices that are too flashy or distracting. 

Clothing to avoid

It is a good idea to avoid jeans, flip flops, hoodies, tee shirts, crop tops, sweatshirts, and any overly casual clothing. If you would wear something to lounge around your house or casually hang out with friends, there is a good chance that this clothing is not the best option for your job interview. Avoid open-toed shoes simple because you will not be allowed to wear them at most fast-food restaurants.  You want the hiring manager to know that you are serious about this opportunity and the right choice for the job. Making good choices on your interview outfit sends a message that you are responsible and professional. While what you say during the interview is most important, having a professional look is definitely part of the evaluation criteria. 

Ask the hiring manager or your primary point of contact, what you should wear

By asking what you should wear, you are leaving nothing up to chance.  While my recommendation is to avoid any overly casual attire, the person conducting the fast-food restaurant job interview may have a different opinion and be ok with jeans and sneakers for example.  If that is the case, make sure your clothing is clean, crisp and wrinkle free.  

Now that you have picked out the right outfit to make a great first impression, let’s review other best practices to help you land the job.  

Interview tips

• If a job description was made available during the application process, give it another read the day of the interview so that the job responsibilities are fresh in your mind.
• Ideally your cell phone is nowhere in sight.  My recommendation is to leave it in your car to avoid any calls or text messages you could receive during the interview.  You’ll have a lot on your mind the day of the interview and very well could forget to put your phone on silent mode.  If you choose to bring your phone inside to the interview, make sure the phone is on silent and keep it in a purse or pocket during the entire interview. 
• If you are seated when the interviewer comes out to meet you, stand up, make direct eye contact and greet the individual by name.  “Hi Mike, nice to meet you.”
• No gum chewing or eating of any kind during the interview.  Totally fine to accept a glass of water if offered or bring your own if you feel you may need it.  
• Beyond the initial greeting, try to use the person’s name a few times throughout the interview.  This alone will set you apart from 99% of the competition.  It might feel weird the first time but using someone’s name regularly in conversation can quickly become second nature. “That’s a great question, Ashley.  The reason I am interested in working at Chipotle is…”
• Demonstrate strong body language throughout the interview.  Sit up straight (no slouching) and keep your attention and eyes focused on the interviewer.  
• Smile and don’t be afraid to show your personality throughout the discussion.  People hire people after all!

Points to make in your answers to questions during your fast food interview

• Emphasize that you are reliable – this one is a biggie.  The manager needs to know that you will arrive on time for your shifts.  If you need to take a half day or full day off for any reason, you will provide as much notice as possible so that the employer can adjust the schedule accordingly.   
• Share that you are a team player and willing to help fellow team members get the job done well.
• Share any relevant work history you may have such as working at other fast-food restaurants or even experience at a retail store.
• Offer that you are dedicated to delivering excellent customer service.  If you are interviewing for your very first job, maybe talk about how you regularly help your family at mealtimes and family gatherings.  
• Explain that you are hardworking and willing to perform any tasks to get the job done.

Smart questions to ask 

• As early as possible in the interview, ask some version of “what qualities are you looking for in a candidate?” Or “What are you looking for in a Sonic Team Member? Based on what the interviewer shares, for example “I am looking for someone who is reliable, hardworking and can act professionally,” you can tailor your responses to highlight how you embody these qualities.  It ensures that you are proactively checking the box on the qualities and characteristics they are seeking. 
• At the end of the interview, ask “based on our conversation, is there anything that would prevent me from getting hired or moving to the next round in the interview process?” If the interviewer has any lingering doubts about you as a candidate, this is their chance to bring up the concerns and give you a chance to answer.  For example, the hiring manager may say “Well, my concern is that you have never worked at fast food restaurant that gets as busy as we do.  The lunch rush can be intense and I need someone who can work quickly and ask for help when needed.”  Then, you can share an example of how you have faced similar challenges and risen to the occasion.  You don’t have to have the perfect response or example but rather offering assurances that you have the qualities to meet this challenge.
• If a decision is not made on the spot regarding your candidacy, ask when you can expect to hear back on next steps. Based on the answer, you can absolutely follow-up via phone or email if you don’t hear anything back during the timeframe that was shared.    

Ending the interview

• Thank the interviewer for their time and share that you look forward to an opportunity to join the team.  

While this article specifically focuses on how to help teenagers land a job at a fast-food restaurant, these tips are applicable for nearly any part time job.  Look the part and act the part and you will be the top candidate!