Dishwashers are usually working with a team of people in a high-pressure and fast-paced environment, so you want someone who will be able to get along with coworkers. Asking this question gives them the chance to tell you about how they interact with others. You need to pay attention to their response because you do not want someone who is starting arguments with other people in the kitchen. What to look for in an answer:

• Ability to resolve arguments politely and calmly
• Candidate who sees both perspectives in a conflict
• A good team player

Some kitchens will require the ability to know how to separate fine china or wine glasses from pots and pans with a system that allows each to be cleaned efficiently and with sufficient care. Discussions about staging different dirty dish drops, how different items should be cleaned and how to handle mixed dish loads on busy nights are good signs that a dishwasher will maintain your dishware in a proper fashion. What to look for in an answer:

• Knowledge of how to clean delicate items
• The ability to separate mixed loads and clean them efficiently
• Thoughts toward long-term maintenance of dishware

This question is how you can determine if the candidate has the right skills for the job and see if they are comfortable in the kitchen. Someone who has spent time washing dishes before is more likely to be aware of how the process works. You can ask whether they have washed dishes in a private or professional setting before to learn a little more about their relevant experience. What to look for in an answer:

• Familiarity with dishwashing methods
• The ability to stand for long periods of time
• Experience washing dishes in a professional kitchen

Asking about the type of machines a dishwasher candidate has used before will help you figure out whether they have the experience needed to work in your kitchen. You can discover if they prefer certain types of equipment and see if they understand how important it is to ensure that dishes are properly cleaned and sanitized. Their response tells you how comfortable they will be in a professional environment. What to look for in an answer:

• Understanding the importance of washing dishes properly
• Experience with the equipment you use
• Confidence with working in a professional kitchen

A candidate’s response to this question gives you a more thorough idea of the type of experience they have. It lets you know whether they understand the usual duties of a dishwasher, and their response tells you about the sort of attitude they have towards helping out in the kitchen. Try to see how quickly they pick up new tasks as they learn how to do things besides wash dishes. What to look for in an answer:

• Knowledge of managing food prep, supply storage and other duties
• Willingness to do tasks besides dishwashing
• Confidence with unfamiliar assignments

Dishwashers have the repetitive task of washing dishes or placing dishes in commercial dishwashing machines and organizing clean dishes for the kitchen staff. This question allows interviewers to gauge a dishwasher's ability to maintain the quality of their work and stay on task despite the repetitive nature of their job.

A candidate's answer should emphasize:

• Commitment to quality
• Use of refocusing strategies
• Time management skills

Here is an example of a quality candidate answer: