Shake Shack Careers

Shake Shack Careers & Jobs – Application, How to Apply, Requirements & Interview Tips

Last Updated: June 18th, 2020 by Ray

With a career at Shake Shack, you’ll be working at one of America’s quickest-growing fast-casual chains! 

Shake Shack started as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park, New York in 2001. Since then, it’s grown into a chain specializing in New York-style food items.

Today, Shake Shack’s menu includes hot dogs, hamburgers, fries and of course milkshakes. It now has 168 locations across the US and more overseas! Its headquarters are located in New York City, New York.

By reading this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to start a career at Shake Shack. You’ll find out about popular jobs you could apply for. You’ll see the salaries you could earn. Best of all, you’ll find useful tips for your interview.

At Shake Shack, you could work as a Cook, Team Trainer, Cashier and much more!

Shake Shack Jobs & Careers

Finding the right job for yourself is easy. Head over to Shake Shack’s careers website where you can search for jobs closest to you. There, you’ll also read about the work culture at Shake Shack.

Shake Shack has lots of roles you could choose from, including:

Restaurant Staff

As a Restaurant Staff, you’ll be working in the main dining area of the restaurant. Your focus will be on serving customers with a friendly attitude. You’ll take orders, serve food, and bus tables. For this job, it’s important that you have a pleasant attitude towards customers.

Cook

In this role, you’ll work in Shake Shack’s kitchen. By following Shake Shack’s standard recipes, you’ll prepare meals that customers order. You’ll work with others as part of a team. For this job, it’s important that you are comfortable working in a fast-paced kitchen environment.

Team Trainer

Being a Team Trainer means that you’ll train and mentor your teammates. You’ll help new hires learn the ropes. You’ll also help experienced teammates perform their best. In this role, it’s important that you can lead and inspire other people. Being a team-player is a must!

Cashier

In the Cashier role, you’ll be handling payments. This could mean collecting cash from customers and providing change. It also means processing card payments using the credit card machine. For this job, you have to be able to work quickly and efficiently with numbers and money.

Customer Service Associate

When you work as a Customer Service Associate, you’ll handle questions and complaints by customers. You’ll interact with customers face-to-face, on the phone, or even through email. Being a good problem-solver is important in this role.

Manager Jobs

At Shake Shack, you can also apply for Manager Jobs. Two examples of this are the Restaurant Manager and Shift Manager roles.

As a Restaurant Manager, you’ll oversee your own Shake Shack. Your job is to make sure it performs well. Bringing in customers and keeping them happy with your team is your focus.

As a Shift Manager, you’ll lead all your teammates during your assigned shift. You’ll lead and inspire them to provide service at the highest standards.

How Much Does Shake Shack Pay (Hourly & Salary)?

Working at Shake Shack means you’ll get access to great benefits. You’ll receive medical benefits like Medical, Dental, Vision and Short-Term Disability coverage. Financially, you’ll also be part of the company’s 401(k) plan. Shake Shack also organizes health activities for you to participate in.

At Shake Shack, you could earn at least $12 an hour as a Line Cook, 10% lower than the national average for similar jobs in other places. Here are a few more salaries you could earn:

  • Restaurant Staff ($15 an hour)
  • Cook ($13 an hour)
  • Team Trainer ($12 an hour)
  • Cashier ($13 an hour)
  • Customer Service Associate ($12 an hour)
  • Restaurant Manager ($51,000 a year)
  • Shift Manager ($28,000 a year)

How Old Do You Have To Be To Work At Shake Shack?

You have to be at least 16 years old to work at Shake Shack. This is true for any entry-level positions you might apply for. For jobs at higher levels like Manager jobs, you have to be at least 18 years old.

At 16 years of age, you can apply for entry-level positions like:

  • Restaurant Staff
  • Cashier
  • Cook

Does Shake Shack Drug Test?

No, Shake Shack does not perform drug tests. However, it’s always safer to assume that a company will perform a drug test when you apply for a job with them.

Most companies perform drug tests by collecting urine or hair samples. They may collect the same on-site or at a third-party medical facility like a clinic.

Does Shake Shack Do Background Checks?

Yes, Shake Shack performs background checks on applicants. It’s not clear how far back into your history they will check. In the past, there have been times when Shake Shack has hired applicants who have criminal records. 

Possible Shake Shack Interview Questions & Tips

Why Do You Want To Work At Shake Shack?

Recruiters need to know how important the job is to you. Show them how your interests and strengths make that job perfect for you!

What Can You Tell Us About Shake Shack?

Always do your homework! Recruiters don’t expect you to know everything. However, you should show them that you cared enough to study the basic background of the company.

Why Should Shake Shack Hire You?

Focus on your strengths. Tell them how hiring you would benefit them. For example, you can tell them that you’re a team player who will inspire your teammates to success.

What Would You Do If You Saw A Teammate Stealing?

Recruiters sometimes as ‘What-if’ questions like this one. In this scenario, avoid any confrontation. Instead, report what you’ve seen to a superior like a Supervisor or Manager.

What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

Be open and honest about both your strengths and weaknesses. Recruiters like to see that you are self-aware. Stay humble when talking about your strengths, though!

Shake Shack Hiring Process

Past applicants found Shake Shack’s hiring process to be a positive experience. They say the interview process was easy. In total, the process should only take you about a day or two.

In some cases, the hiring process begins with a screening phone call. Then, you’ll be interviewed on-site at the Shake Shack location you applied to. Depending on the job you applied for, you might be interviewed together with other applicants as a group. Don’t be surprised if they give you a problem-solving exercise to do as a test.

It’s always a good idea to look good for your interview, no matter what position you applied for. Come dressed in a business casual outfit at a minimum.

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