Recently I had the occasion to hear an owner/operator of Chick-fil-A speak about customer service and what separates them from all other fast food restaurants. “Our people make the difference!” Because Chick-fil-A places tremendous emphasis on making customers “feel like family,” they are extremely careful and meticulous about what they look for in potential customer service associates. It doesn’t matter if you are 15 or 80 years of age, there are 7 characteristics you must possess in order to be considered for hire:
1. A SMILE on your face.
A smile on your face indicates that you have a “serving spirit” and a love for helping others. When a customer walks in the door of Chick-fil-A, it is understood that this could very well be the first time that customer has ever been into their restaurant. They want that customer to be greeted with a warm smile that makes them feel at home.
2. Enthusiasm
Chick-fil-A believes that having a positive attitude is a choice that all of its associates must make. Enthusiasm is contagious and employees feed off of each other creating an exciting atmosphere to work in. Their team’s energy creates an unforgettable experience for the customer.
3. Eye Contact
When you look someone in the eye it shows you have a high level of attentiveness to their needs. One of Chick-fil-A’s priorities is to make emotional connections with its customers, and eye contact is necessary to make this happen. When you ask for the application and meet with the manager, make sure you make appropriate, tasteful eye contact. If you can make an emotional connection with the manager, then you are one step closer to hearing, “You’re hired!”.
4. Good Grades and Decisions
Chick-fil-A expects their employees to work hard and grades are reflection of the effort you are willing to put in when you are on the clock. Making good choices shows you are interested in protecting your personal brand and implies you will protect Chick-fil-A’s brand as well.
5. “Coachability”
Your ability to accept and apply the training and instruction provided will be critical to your success. Student applicants are often asked, “What is
some of the best criticism you have received?” Be prepared to share feedback you have received and how you implemented it to make improvements.
6. Personal Development
“What do you do in your free time?” is a common question asked of students who apply at Chick-fil-A. They want to know you are goal oriented and interested in developing as a person and employee. It is important that your free time activities are closely tied to the goals you have set for yourself.
7. Community Involvement
Your level of involvement in your neighborhood and community shows you are concerned about others and want to make a difference. “Tell me about a time when you helped someone else?” Your ability to effectively answer this question will display your compassion for others and indicate how you will potentially treat and serve customers.
If you possess these 7 characteristics then you are well on your way to gainful employment at Chick-fil-A or any company that prides itself in providing exemplary customer service. Learn more about setting yourself apart.
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join today!Brooks Harper energized the crowd at the South Carolina Career and Technology Education Conference with his Keynote message of Why Should We Hire Your Students? Brooks kept approximately 1400 conference participants on the edge of their seats during his entire presentation. His humor along with his straight-forward and common sense Read more...
Brooks spoke at our annual state conference for School Counselors. He was a fantastic speaker and had the whole room laughing throughout his presentation. He was relevant, energetic and inspirational.
You were everything Family and Consumer Science Teachers enjoy in a keynote and session presenter!
As Vice President and Chair of the SC TRiO State conference committee, I want to thank you for the amazing job you did as our opening speaker at this past year's conference in March down in Charleston. Please keep up the great work!
If you get the opportunity to see this guy speak or bring him to your school for your students, you better take advantage of it. He was awesome!
Brooks Harper was an amazing, dynamic and engaging presenter. I hope to have him back here again and again.
Brooks Harper is an excellent speaker for educators, students and adults. His real life stories, tips and techniques are right on target with what today's hiring professionals are looking for. I encourage anyone wanting to promote career readiness, job seeking and interview skills to work with him. You will not Read more...
Brooks' presentation to the Freshman Academy students at LDHS was totally awesome! I am so grateful to him for reiterating important values and skills our students need to be successful citizens. The students and staff thoroughly enjoyed his one on one follow up sessions in the classrooms after the assembly; Read more...
Brooks Harper is fantastic! He is caring, genuine and our students responded to him. If our students take just half of this information to heart, they will be successful."
Brooks Harper captures the room from the minute he hits the podium … his enthusiasm, energy and words of wisdom registered equally with not only the students but also their parents and other adult guests.
One of the best Keynotes I have ever attended!
I wanted to say thanks for such an excellent presentation yesterday. We had 175 college and high school teachers in attendance. I received nothing but positive comments about your message. They thoroughly enjoyed your entertaining approach to soft skills.
Brooks Harper is dynamic, engaging and his suggestions were right on target.
Brooks Harper is entertaining, down-to-earth and a very insightful speaker to listen to!
What a phenomenal job Brooks did at the 2016 NC FBLA State Leadership Conference! His keynote was on the Mark!
Our Staff loved you! Thank you so much for helping us kick off the school year.
After hearing Brooks one time I was hooked on what he delivers to our teachers and our students across the state of North Carolina. I highly recommend what he does!
Brooks shared such a powerful message with our 8th grade students. He was able to engage, excite, and motivate in a way that I have never seen before. I had students begging for his book.
I felt the spark. I'm ready to go back to my class and start a wildfire!
After 20 years of conferences, this was the most relevant!
Awesome presentation - I would love to hear it all over again.
This is one of the most energetic, passionate, engaging and relevant keynote presentations I've ever heard!