Do you have an interview at Subway? Getting a job at Subway is not hard, but it's not a given either.
Yes, it's a fast-food restaurant, but you have to put an effort to look presentable and to answer interview questions the right way.
Here's a list of the most common interview questions asked by Subway:
Why do you want to work for Subway?
- I love your sandwiches. You guys are my favorite restaurant.
- I'm an outgoing person and prefer a job that allows me to be in touch with customers.
- I love the idea of working for a big successful company like yours.
- I enjoy cooking at home, and I like serving other people too.
- You take good care of your employees, this is a great place to work.
- I want to build a career in the restaurant industry.
Have you ever worked for Subway?
Previous experience working for Subway makes it more likely you will get the job, no further questions asked.
If yes, mention when and for how long you worked there and what was your job title.
What can you tell us about Subway?
- Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck founded Subway in 1965.
- It's the biggest restaurant chain in the United States.
- It makes the best sandwiches in the world, but it also serves pizza and other baked products.
- It employs 30 000 people.
Have you ever worked at a restaurant?
If yes, mention how long you worked in the restaurant industry and what your job responsibilities were.
They want to know if you have real-life experiences that translate to the job at Subway.
If you have no experience in the restaurant industry, mention how much you like cooking and serving other people.
How long will you work for Subway?
They want to know if you're a job hopper. Companies dislike job hoppers because replacing them with a new hire is expensive.
Reassure them you are interested in the job for the long term:
- My plans are to stay working for Subway for years to come. I have no other plans.
How much do you want to make?
They want to know if you have unrealistic expectations of how much money you will make. This often results in people leaving their jobs if they are not happy with their pay.
Flip the script and ask them how much they pay:
- I'm not sure. How much do you pay? I'm open to offers, but I also understand you guys pay based on position.
What's your education?
Don't worry. Even if you haven't finished high school... Subway prefers people without a college degree because they are less likely to move to a better job.
The question is: should you lie about HAVING a college degree? Some people say yes… It's on you.
How would you help improve Subway?
They want to know how creative and proactive you are. You are much more likely to be asked this question if you're applying for a management role.
However, in case you do get asked this question, suggest a fresh addition to the menu or a lesson you learned on a past job that could apply to Subway.
Do you have a good work ethic? Will you show up on time?
- I've always been a reliable person. You can count on me to show up on time.
- I know restaurants need their people to work hard and be there whenever needed, and I know I will step up to the plate.
- I've done well in my previous jobs. Got the job done and was always very productive.
- I'm not lazy and I'm also very good at following instructions.
A big problem with fast-food restaurants is the low reliability of the workers. If you can show you're a reliable worker, you will easily get the job.
What is your work history?
Besides restaurant industry experience, they want to know what other jobs you had.
Talk about the companies you worked for, how long you spent there, your job title, and your actual responsibilities.
- I worked as a cashier at Target for 3 years and it was great to deal with customers every day. I love public interaction.
- I worked as a restaurant waiter for 2 years. That's my only job experience and I learned a lot about how restaurants work.
What are your strengths?
The goal is to show your best qualities as they relate to working in a restaurant: dealing with people, being detail-oriented, and being kind and trustworthy.
- I'm a very outgoing person and I like to make new friends. The daily interaction with customers will suit me well.
- I pay attention to detail and like to organize everything.
- I have good empathy and can see things from other people's points of view.
- I'm good with responsibility, I'm trustworthy and I'm adaptable. I can do any work.
You need to find a balance between confidence and humbleness. Avoid looking arrogant.
What are your weaknesses?
You can talk about one or two weaknesses as long as they don't affect your ability to be a reliable worker. Obviously, you don't want to say you're lazy or untrustworthy.
Avoid giving "weaknesses" that sound like strengths.
- Sometimes I'm impatient, but it doesn't affect my work at all.
- I can be shy, but that has never been a problem when dealing with people.
Have you ever worked with customers?
Working for Subway requires you to interact with customers. Happy customers, angry customers, you name it. Having patience and empathy is important in such a job.
You will be asked a few customer service questions. That said, you don't actually need experience to get the job.
Mention any customer-facing jobs you had. If you didn't have any such experience, mention how friendly and outgoing you are.
How do you greet a customer?
- I would smile and say: "Hello, how can I help you?"
- "Welcome to Subway, what do you want to order?"
- "Good afternoon! What will you have today?"
How do you define great customer service?
- Great customer service is helping people solve their problems in a way that makes them happy.
- You should smile, give your full attention to the customer, and try as much as possible to focus on their needs.
How do you deal with an angry customer, even if they are wrong?
- I would listen to the customer's complaint while trying to understand the issue.
- I would try to diffuse tension and calm things down.
- I would then educate the customer about the problem and try to find a middle ground if it's possible.
- I would follow Subway's process on how to solve that particular problem.
- If nothing works, I would talk with my manager and ask him what's the best way to solve the problem.
How would you deal with a robber?
- I would remain calm and avoid making the criminal upset. We don't want to trigger violence.
- I would comply with the criminal and try not to be a hero.
- When given the chance I would call the police and report the problem.
- I would then make sure everybody is safe and sound.
Why should we hire you?
- With experience: I have worked in restaurants before and know how the business works. I'm hardworking and reliable and I think I would be a good addition to the team.
- If you don't have experience: I love to interact with customers and learn things fast. I can get up to speed in no time and of course, I love Subway.
Do you have experience handling money or a cash register?
Depends on your experience. If yes, talk about the job and responsibilities. If not, tell them you're a reliable and responsible person who can be trusted with money.
Sometimes they test your math skills with simple math questions. It shouldn't be a problem to answer these questions.
Do you have experience making sandwiches, stocking, and dishwashing?
Answer with experiences you had on other jobs. If you never had a restaurant job mention your ability to cook and of course, tell them you wash your own dishes.
Any organization skills you used on a previous job are also worth mentioning.
What does BMT stand for?
- Biggest, meatiest, tastiest.
What does the title "Sandwich Artist" mean to you?
- It represents Subway employee's dedication to making the best, most tasty sandwiches in the world. And I would like to be part of that team, I have the skills.
How would you react to a co-worker stealing?
- I would talk with the manager and follow internal company procedures for situations like these.
Do you work well with others and as a team?
- I love working in a social environment like a restaurant. It's an opportunity to make friends but also to work together towards a goal.
- In previous jobs(or school), I worked with other people and have always enjoyed those moments.
Hand washing, food temperature, and other related questions
They might ask you about restaurant operations like "at what temperature should food be heated?" or "when should you wash your hands?"
Reply to these with common sense, based on your life experiences. Working for Subway is not rocket science.
When can you start?
Many Subways have problems with staffing and are often desperate to have people come and work for them. It's a simple answer:
- I have no other commitments and I'm ready to start working right away.
What's your preference for part-time or full-time work?
It depends on what's going on in your life. If you are a student, you will probably prefer part-time.
Other people want a full schedule to make more money. Once again, it's all about your needs and Subway's needs. No right answer.
What hours can you work?
What's the best schedule for you? Mornings, afternoons, nights? Do you prefer weekends or weekdays?
If you have family obligations, don't lie. Tell the manager and he or she will work with you to find a schedule that suits your needs.
Do you have transportation?
Subway prefers people that live close to work as they are less likely to arrive late.
- I use the bus/train/bicycle to come to work.
- I can walk to work as I live close by.
- My family(or a friend) will bring me to work, no problem.
- I have my own transportation and can quickly get to work.
Do you have a criminal record?
Like it or not, most businesses avoid hiring people with criminal records. Tell the truth. If there is a background check and it comes back positive, they will fire you anyway.
That said, Subway doesn't do drug tests and if they are desperate enough to hire people, they won't even ask you about your record.
Do you have any questions?
If you get offered a job, ask about salary and schedules.
What to wear to an interview at Subway?
- Business casual is the safest bet. Khakis and button-down shirts will always work well.
- Jeans and polo are not bad either, in fact, you can probably get away with wearing a t-shirt and still get the job. Subway has a very casual company culture.
- For women, you can wear a nice skirt and top as long as it doesn't show too much. Jeans are fine too.
- As long as you come clean and tidy, you will be okay.
- Tattoos and piercings are not a problem as long as they're tasteful. You might be asked to remove piercings during work if they break food safety regulations.
Does Subway hire on the spot?
Yes, if they are in a hurry to hire people, they can make a hiring decision right at the end of the interview.
Subway will give you clothes and a date to start working.
Does Subway ask math questions?
Depends on the store, however, these are very simple math questions.
In fact, it's elementary school math. Don't worry, most people will do well. I've never heard of anybody not getting a job because of these questions.
Is Subway a good first job?
Subway is a great job for those who are students, stay-at-home moms, people with low levels of education, or anybody who wants a simple job to fill in the gaps in their income.
Don't expect to be paid well. It's a fast-food job. You should treat Subway as a trampoline to something bigger and better.
What to bring to a Subway interview
Bring copies of your resume, personal identification, pen and paper for notes, and your phone in case you need to record phone numbers.
Subway recruitment process
- You apply for a job on the internet or by asking for an application at a restaurant.
- You will wait a few days to be called for an interview.
- If you can get a referral from a friend or acquaintance, that can help you get an interview faster.
- Interviews rarely last over 30 minutes. Occasionally you will be asked to come for a second interview.
- The entire process never lasts more than one or two weeks.
- It's all very casual. You might be hired on the spot.