One of my goals here at TeensGotCents is to research some of the best part time job opportunities out there for teenagers. It just made sense to me to take a look at Chick-fil-A because it is one of my favorite places to eat, the employees are always genuinely polite and friendly, and they are closed on Sundays.
Joe Mayo, a Chick Fil A operator, graciously agreed to allow me to interview him recently. We covered the general topic of how to get a part time job and specifically the opportunities that Chick-fil-A offers to teenagers.
What is Chick-fil-A Looking For?
One of the first things I wanted to know was what specifically Mr. Mayo was looking for in a teenage applicant. Sometimes it can be difficult to know exactly what an employer wants! Above all else, Mr. Mayo emphasized that he wants applicants with a passion for serving other people, as that is what his business is all about.
Going hand-in-hand with passion, a positive attitude and energy are key factors as well. A great way to show your passion and leadership abilities on an application is involvement in school extracurriculars such as sports or clubs. Mr. Mayo and other operators/owners love to see these sort of activities on applications.
Mr. Mayo also mentioned something a little surprising: the main thing an applicant has to do to stand out is complete the application thoroughly! It’s as simple as that!
Considering they get 8-10 applications every day, Chick-Fil-A probably won’t even look at an application that has not been fully completed.
Something else to remember is the way you dress, Mr. Mayo explained. It’s extremely important to come dressed professionally for an interview, and it’s even a good idea to dress nicely when you turn in your application!
First impressions really do matter.
The Interview
Once you are at a job interview, it can be pretty nerve-racking. Mr. Mayo suggested role-playing with a friend or family member so you can practice what you might say. This a great way to help you feel more relaxed once you’re actually there! But as much as practice is important, it’s also essential to be yourself.
Have confidence in yourself and your answers. You can even flip the script and ask your possible employer some questions! This not only helps you get more information, but shows that you have put research into the company and gives you the opportunity to direct the interview.
Long-term Career
If you’re looking for a great job, Mr. Mayo is clearly passionate about Chick-Fil-A being the place to be. He even believes that Chick-Fil-A can go from a first job all the way to a full time professional career!
After all, 65% of their owner/operators come from within, which means that people want to stay and work their way up in the company.
There are also tons of different opportunities in a variety of fields, such as accounting, marketing, consulting, in their home office in Atlanta, Georgia.
And even if you don’t pursue a higher-level professional job at Chick-Fil-A, they offer tons of great benefits for their part-time employees. For example, they have a very flexible schedule and are closed on Sundays!
And, Mr. Mayo added, all employees have the opportunity to qualify for a scholarship. In the past, Chick-Fil-A has given over 31 million dollars in scholarships to team members!
Overall
The final thing Mr. Mayo wanted to remind me of was that the application process at Chick-Fil-A is extremely competitive. They get many, many applications every single day.
His recommendation is to not get discouraged, be patient, and be persistent. He even mentioned that Chick-Fil-A has had applicants who have patiently turned in an application every 30 days. And this went on for months before they were given a position!
Those are the kind of employees they are looking for. An applicant may even be interviewed by several different members of the team, but the key is to remain persistent and have patience.
I really enjoyed the time I spent with Mr. Mayo and learned a lot from what he told me. It has really helped me see exactly what it takes to be a teenage employee at Chick-Fil-A, and I hope it helps you out too!
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Great blog post! I’ve enjoyed perusing your website. I would have to say the chicken club sandwich is my favorite! I’m also kind of in love with their waffle fries… then again, who isn’t?
good interview with some really good points for teens (or anyone, really) to be aware of! and, if i’m not to old to enter your giveaway, my favorite is the chicken salad on toasted wheat 🙂
Hand spun oreo Milkshakes. They are my favorite way to treat myself.
Chicken salad in a cup, a side of waffle fries, and a large sweet tea! YUM. 🙂
Mmmmm…..so many to choose from! Chicken soup…with waffle fries!
can it be tea? 3/4 sweet tea and 1/4 lemonade is my favorite drink ever!
I love the nuggets
The spicy chicken truly is spicy.Love it!
Their chicken nuggets – so good!
Definitely the chicken strips – delicious!
We had the opportunity to eat at Chick Fil A for the first time a few weeks ago. Not having one in our own town 🙁 we got to experience it out of town. Being Gluten-free made us wonder if we could get anything, most of the time its chicken breaded but we found grilled chicken strips there for the kids and hubby and I enjoyed! a nice green salad with chicken. But everyone inhaled the waffle fries so I am going to say that was our favorite part about it. 🙂
If the peppermint milkshake doesn’t count, I’d have to say chicken strips.
The banana creme pie shake I had this summer!
Waffle Fries are my favorite.
I love their peppermint milkshakes!
And I think the operator’s name is great! I am assuming you made it up, which is fabulous, but if you didn’t and it’s his real name, that’s just top-notch!
grilled chicken salad