What personality traits are important in a Commis Chef job description?

Date modified: 1st June 2025 | This FAQ page has been written by Pilla Founder, Liam Jones, click to email Liam directly, he reads every email.
Professional hospitality job roles and responsibilities

When writing a job description for a Commis Chef, it's crucial to highlight specific personality traits that align with your kitchen's atmosphere and pace. Traits like adaptability, resilience under pressure, and a positive attitude can help ensure a good fit within your team. For example, in a high-pressure, fast-paced kitchen, you might look for someone who remains calm and efficient during busy times.

Common misunderstanding: Any hardworking person fits the Commis Chef role.

While hard work is important, not every hardworking person will thrive in every kitchen environment. Specific traits like stress management and quick decision-making are critical in high-pressure kitchens, which might not be as crucial in slower-paced, more methodical settings.

Common misunderstanding: Personality traits are less important than skills.

Skills are teachable, but personality traits are often inherent and can significantly impact team dynamics and service quality. Ensuring a personality fit can prevent workplace conflicts and improve team efficiency.

Why should I avoid using generic terms like "team player" in my job description?

Using specific terms rather than generic ones like "team player" helps attract candidates who are truly a good fit for your kitchen's unique environment. Describing what being a "team player" entails in your specific setting, such as "supports colleagues during peak service hours by taking on additional tasks without being asked," provides clear expectations and attracts candidates who can meet them.

Common misunderstanding: Generic terms make the job description applicable to more candidates.

While generic terms might increase the number of applications, they often lead to a pool of candidates who may not actually fit the specific demands and culture of your kitchen, increasing the time spent on sorting through unsuitable candidates.

Common misunderstanding: Detailed personality descriptions scare away potential candidates.

Detailed descriptions help ensure that those who apply are more likely to be aligned with the role's actual demands and team culture, which can lead to better retention and job satisfaction.

How do I clearly explain the desired attitude and communication style for our Commis Chefs?

To clearly convey the desired attitude and communication style, use specific examples and actions in your job description. For instance, if your kitchen thrives on open communication, you might say, "Our chefs frequently check in with each other to ensure everything runs smoothly, making it essential for our Commis Chefs to be proactive and vocal about their progress and needs."

Common misunderstanding: It’s enough to just list desired traits.

Simply listing traits like "good communicator" or "positive attitude" can be too vague. Describing how these traits are applied in daily operations makes it easier for candidates to understand if they can perform well in your environment.

Common misunderstanding: Over-specifying can limit your applicant pool.

While being specific might narrow the pool, it increases the chances of finding candidates who will excel in your specific kitchen environment and who are more likely to be satisfied with their job, leading to lower turnover and better team cohesion.