McDonald’s crew and cashier candidates in 2025-26 describe one short interview, usually 5-20 minutes with a shift or restaurant manager, that opens with availability and moves to a few basic questions: tell me about yourself, past experience, why this job, and how you would deal with an angry customer. Many were hired at the end of the interview. A minority reported an online test before the interview, a second interview, or a short group activity.
Glassdoor’s McDonald’s pages mix US and international restaurants, and many reviews do not list a location. The reports below note the city where one was given.
McDonald’s interview process round by round
| Round | Who | Length | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| McHire application | Olivia, the virtual assistant | A few minutes | Basic eligibility, availability, interview booking |
| Online test (some restaurants) | Emailed link | Short | Situational or personality questions |
| Manager interview | Shift or restaurant manager | 5-20 min | Availability, experience, customer scenarios |
| Offer | Manager, often on the spot | - | Uniform size, first shift |
Glassdoor’s crew member stage tags (2,707 reports): one-on-one interview 41%, background check 11%, skills test 10%, personality test 9%, drug test 6% and group panel 3%.
McDonald’s interview experiences in 2025-26
Self-reported Glassdoor reviews of McDonald’s crew member and cashier interviews, paraphrased. Each is one candidate’s account.
- Crew member (posted October 2026, offer accepted). Quick, basic questions to get to know the candidate, availability and uniform size, and how they would deal with an angry customer.
- Crew member (interviewed October 2026, offer accepted). Applied online; five days in total. A five-minute interview on prior experience and why the role. The reviewer said offers mainly depend on the restaurant’s hiring needs.
- Crew member (interviewed August 2024, posted 2026, offer accepted). About 10 minutes; availability first, then tell me about yourself, past experience and reason for applying.
- Crew member (posted October 2026, offer accepted). One-on-one with the restaurant manager, asked about hobbies, hired on the spot and given a first shift within a week.
- Crew member, Chicago, IL (interviewed March 2022, posted October 2026, offer accepted). Applied in person. Short and simple: a tour of the store and when could they start. Two weeks in total.
- Crew member (posted October 2026, offer accepted). Applied on the website, received an email link to an online test, then a face-to-face interview after passing it. The reviewer said passing the test makes an offer likely.
- Cashier (posted October 2026, declined offer). A 15-20 minute informal one-on-one with a store manager on availability, customer service experience and busy shifts; no cash-handling test.
- Cashier, New York, NY (posted October 2026, no offer). A standard interview with nothing unusual.
- Front area crew (interviewed April 2022, posted October 2026, offer accepted). A 15-minute group interview with about five others: individual introductions, then group tasks to see teamwork and personality.
Detailed interview experiences
Experience 1: Online test, then interview (2026)
Process: Applied on the website, then received an email with a link to an online test. After passing it, invited to a face-to-face interview with very easy questions.
Takeaway: If you get a test link, complete it quickly; the interview invitation follows the test, not the application.
Experience 2: Five-minute interview (October 2026)
Process: Online application; interview five days later. Asked about prior experience and why this role.
Outcome: Offer accepted.
Takeaway: Have a two-sentence answer for “why this job” and your availability ready; there may be no time for more.
Experience 3: Hired on the spot after a hobbies question (2026)
Process: One-on-one with the restaurant manager, mostly about interests and hobbies.
Outcome: Hired on the spot, first shift within a week.
Takeaway: Managers are checking whether you are friendly and dependable. A short, positive answer about what you do outside school works.
Experience 4: Group tasks (2022)
Process: Around five candidates at once. Each introduced themselves, then the group completed tasks together in about 15 minutes.
Takeaway: Group formats are rare (3% of Glassdoor crew reports), but if you get one, include others and keep your introduction under a minute.
Experience 5: Store tour, Chicago (2022)
Process: Applied in person. The manager gave a tour of the store and asked when the candidate could start.
Takeaway: Walk-in applications still lead to interviews at some restaurants. Bring ID and your availability in case they move fast.
McDonald’s interview questions that come up often
- What is your availability?
- Tell me about yourself
- What prior experience do you have, and why this role?
- How would you deal with an angry customer?
- What are your hobbies?
- What is your uniform size, and when can you start?
- How do you handle busy shifts?
Sample answers are on the McDonald’s crew member interview questions page, and McHire, Olivia and pay are on the McDonald’s hub.
McDonald’s interview tips from these reports
Availability first
- Most interviews open with availability.
- Bring a written list of days and hours.
Be ready that day
- Olivia can book an interview while you apply.
- Offers often come at the end of the interview.
Check the owner
- McHire listings say McDonald’s Owned or Franchise Owned.
- Pay and benefits depend on the owner.
Similar companies
Chipotle · Chick-fil-A · Starbucks · Costco · Target