Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services Interview Questions
& Process

Nothing out of the ordinary. First was one zoom call, a week later there was an in person interview. Then I was called in for an a tasting. One soup, appetizer, 2 entree then meet the team.

I first checked out the Pendergast District website to see what was available. Then, I rang up the Director overseeing things. After a quick chat over the phone, they pointed me to the Chartwells' website. After getting the thumbs up from the District Manager, I got invited for a second phone chat. Not long after, maybe less than a week, I sat down with a panel to show and confirm my qualifications that we'd already talked about. I also gave a 3-Phase "Re-Lunching" Presentation. The main goals were: 1) fixing the bad blood between the client and the company, 2) serving up restaurant-quality food with personal touches, and 3) finding ways to bring in more money to boost both the client's and Chartwells' profits.

After the first interview, HR said she would like me to interview with the hiring manager. After waiting 1 week I followed up.....no response.....I followed up again 2 weeks later......no response. 8 weeks after the initial interview she called me to proceed. I interviewed with the hiring manager and three VPs. The regional VP came from a financial background (never working in the food industry) and obviously is not used to getting her hands dirty (ie: working in the field). She kept complaining of long hours and lots of travel and "hard work". Hmm..sounds like another day in the field or day on the job to me. I did not hear anything until I followed up with HR 4 weeks later. "Oh, you should have gotten a generated (generic) email saying we went with another candidate. It's probably in your spam." Extremely unprofessional and disrespectful. I never received that email nor did I expect to be treated so poorly after 5 interviews, a 2-hour online assessment (lots of math), more paperwork, and 4 of my references taking time to complete an online form. If this is the way Chartwells treats candidates, I'd hate to see how they treat employees.

The interview process was quite straightforward. The questions were well-balanced and thoughtfully designed. The interviewer maintained a positive personal connection. I interviewed during a non-service period and observed a few employees whose demeanor appeared positive. The receptionist was expecting me and promptly directed me to a table where I waited briefly for the interviewer. Overall, it was a very relaxed interview. I've been invited back for a second interview and am writing this review now to gain access to Glassdoor as I research the company, to help me decide whether to accept or decline an offer if one is extended.