Jobs › Abbott

Line Cook

Abbott · Madison, WI · $17.00–$34.00 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 22, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about your experience cooking on a line. What stations have you worked?

What they are checking: Whether they have real kitchen experience and can work a station without close supervision.

Tell me about a time a dish came back or a customer complained. How did you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they take feedback calmly and fix the problem without getting defensive.

What would you do

It's a busy lunch rush and you're running low on a key ingredient. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they communicate early and solve the problem instead of letting orders back up.

A coworker is falling behind on their station. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they help teammates set up and stock stations, as the posting asks.

About the work

How do you follow a recipe exactly when you're cooking in volume?

What they are checking: Whether they keep food consistent in taste and portion, which the posting calls recipe standards.

What food safety practices do you follow every shift, like temperatures and cross-contamination?

What they are checking: Whether they know the basics that keep people from getting sick, such as safe holding temperatures.

Walk me through how you set up and stock your station before service.

What they are checking: Whether they prepare ahead so service runs smoothly and they don't run out mid-rush.

How do you control portions and reduce waste?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that portion control keeps food costs within budget, as the posting stresses.

How do you keep your workstation clean while you're still cooking?

What they are checking: Whether they clean as they go, which keeps the kitchen safe and up to standard.

Do you have a food handler or ServSafe certification?

What they are checking: Whether they hold or can get the basic food safety credentials a corporate kitchen expects.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Abbott.

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. JOB DESCRIPTION: Position Overview The Line Cook will prepare, cook, and assemble dishes in their assigned area while maintaining sanitation standards. This position will handle food in adherence to the recipe standards to ensure that all food prepared meets Abbott Cancer Diagnostics standard of excellence. Essential Duties Include but are not limited to the following: • Provide the highest quality of service at all times. • Follow standards for food quality, preparation, recipes, and presentation. • Ensure preparation station and kitchen is set up and stocked; Assist team members with stocking of stations and setting them up correctly. • Prepare ingredients, cook, and assemble dishes as indicated by recipes. • Perform portion control and minimize waste to keep cost within forecasted range. • Maintain a clean workstation by cleaning prep areas, kitchen equipment, tables, and shelves and taking care of any leftovers in the workspace. • Ensure that all dishes are prepared in a timely manner by restocking ingredients at workstation and meeting prep times to ensure smooth delivery. • Cook menu items with support of the kitchen staff. • Comply with sanitation/safety standards within Food services and ensure all personnel follow safety/sanitation standards. • Excellent oral and written communication skills. • Excellent internal and external facing customer service skills. • Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills. • Ability to work and contribute in a team environment. • Analytical and problem-solving skills. • Strong commitment to service and hospitality excellence. • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. • High standards regarding culinary and service delivery. • Understanding of cooking methods and procedures, and knife handling skills. • Ability to read and follow cooking directions. • Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork. • Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures. • Regular and reliable attendance. • Ability to work designated schedule. • Ability to work nights and/or weekends. • Ability to work overtime as needed. • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds for approximately 10% of a typical working day. • Ability to work seated for approximately 10% of a typical working day. Ability to work standing for approximately 90% of a typical working day. • Ability to work on a mobile device, tablet, or in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 50% of a typical working day. • Ability to grasp with both hands; pinch with thumb and forefinger; turn with hand/arm; reach above shoulder height. • Ability to drive a vehicle between locations as business needs require. Minimum Qualifications • High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED). • 2+ years of experience working in food service, hospitality management, or related field. • Must hold Serve Safe Certification at time of hire or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire. • Possession of a valid driver’s license; no suspended, revoked, surrendered, invalid, etc. allowed. • No more than two moving violations, events, or accidents within the last 36 months. • No alcohol or drug event in which a vehicle was driven by the candidate or employee, including but not limited to Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) failure, refusal to submit to alcohol or drug test, alcohol related suspension, etc. in the last 36 months. • No other results from the Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) check that exposes Abbott Cancer Diagnostics to what Abbott Cancer Diagnostics deems to be an unacceptable level of liability. • Basic computer skills to include Internet navigation, Email usage, and word processing. • Proficient in Microsoft Office. • Demonstrated ability to perform the Essential Duties of the position with or without accommodation. • Legal authorization to work in the country of employment without current or future sponsorship. The base pay for this position is $17.00 – $34.00/hour In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted. JOB FAMILY: Administrative Support DIVISION: ONCO Cancer Diagnostics LOCATION: United States > Madison : 5505 Endeavor Ln ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Not specified MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Not Applicable SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Lift, carry, push or pull weights of more than 20 pounds/9 kilos on a regular/daily basis Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

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