Sundry Foods Limited Interview Experience

When I applied at Sundry Food Limited (Kilimanjaro, which was my first interview experience), I didn’t really specify any position. I had applied for any vacant post since I wasn’t sure of the exact vacant position. 

On the day of the interview, it was going to be an oral interview. I was well dressed as someone who’s really serious about a job and went an hour earlier. The number of people for the interview was quite alarming. I was so nervous but confident at the same time. I told myself “you mustn’t go to sweet talk the interviewers, be real, and say things you actually mean”. Those were words that kept me confident. While we were still waiting for our interviewers, some persons that have had past working experiences talked about them while some of us remained quiet.

The time for the interview came, and we were called in according to the time we signed in on arrival. Some persons that went in came out sad, moody, elated, happy, relaxed, etc. I mumbled some prayers when I was told I would be next to go in. I was like “Dear God please grant me grace and favor”.

When I entered the interviewing, they were three(3) interviewers seated, but one received a call and left the room. I greeted them and was asked to seat while facing them. The female interviewer asked if I was Okay and ready, and I said I was ready.

The first question was that I should introduce myself and tell them about myself, including my past working experiences if I had any. I told them about myself and that it was my first interview.

The second question was, why do I think I would be taken when I haven’t had any working experience? I told them that “everyone started somewhere, the experienced were once inexperienced. Having experience doesn’t really mean I will outdo those without experience, although experience is good because it makes you familiar with the work but most times experience is not enough”. 

The male interviewer was like “Wow, this is interesting tell me more”. I continued, telling them how well I would do without past experiences.

The third question was, if am to work as a waitress, how will I serve or react to a hot-tempered customer? They cited an example of mistakenly spilling water or a drink on a customer and immediately the customer poured the drink on me, what would be my action/reaction? I took a deep breath and told them I would apologize immediately, though I would feel surprised and embarrassed at the customers’ action/reaction I will count it as one of those unlucky days and let it go.

The fourth question was if I was to be a cashier how would I handle the crowd of customers in the queue? I told them ” though it won’t be easy it’s best to work in an organized manner as a team. It’s best if possible to have a paper form numbered, where each customer is to write down what he/she wants(well specified) with their names written too. Then a check back time would be given to them, where they will come to take their orders and pay for them at the pickup counter/section. With this, one will know which order comes first and who owns them”. I explained other ways to them too.

There were a few more questions and the final one was on payment negotiation. At the end of the interview, both interviewers smiled at me and said they were impressed with my confidence. I think I took a longer time than most of the first set interviewed. At the end of the interview, I came out happy, relaxed, and ready for the next phase even though I wasn’t sure I would be taken, I had that strong conviction that I would be among the lucky people.

I was finally trained as a cashier, I never knew they looked out for those tips I gave out on the day of my interview during my training days. I was happy I was real( I said things I meant, not just to please them). I was employed after I was told I did a good job during my training days.

That was my first interview experience at Sundry Food Limited.