What Are Chipotle's "13 Characteristics" and How Do They Help You Get Hired?

If you want a job at Chipotle, your skills in making a burrito are less important than your intrinsic personality traits. The fast-casual leader prioritizes a specific set of personal qualities over technical experience, using a defined framework called the "13 Characteristics" to identify potential leaders. This competency-based hiring approach is central to their strategy, with over 95% of managers promoted from within.

What is Chipotle's "13 Characteristics" Hiring Framework?

Developed by former co-CEO Monty Moran, the "13 Characteristics" are a set of go-or-no-go traits used in all hiring and promotion assessments. The philosophy is that these inherent qualities are indicators of long-term success and leadership potential. According to company spokesperson Danielle Winslow, Chipotle believes that by adulthood, these traits cannot be taught; they can only be identified and nurtured. The goal is to find individuals who want careers, not just jobs, positioning them for growth within the company.

This framework is deeply integrated into Chipotle's culture. In 2014 alone, over 10,500 crew members who demonstrated these traits were promoted to management positions, highlighting a powerful internal career path.

How Can You Demonstrate These Traits in a Chipotle Interview?

Knowing the traits is one thing; showcasing them is another. Your interview is the prime opportunity to prove you possess these characteristics. Based on the company's guidance, here’s how to align your interview performance with their expectations.

• Be Enthusiastic and Energetic: Greet your interviewer warmly and maintain positive body language. Sit up straight and lean forward slightly to show engagement, rather than slouching. Your energy should be palpable.
• Ask Great Questions: Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your curiosity and ambition. Ask about training programs, what makes a successful team member, and opportunities for advancement. This shows you're thinking about a career, not just a job.
• Express a Desire to Learn: Emphasize your motivation to learn new skills and better yourself. Discuss how you challenge yourself and others in a constructive way, aligning with the smart and motivated characteristics.
• Be Authentically Positive: Your happy and infectiously enthusiastic demeanor should feel genuine. Talk about why you respect the Chipotle brand and, yes, mentioning you enjoy the food can be a natural, honest point of connection.

Why Does Chipotle Rely on This Competency-Based Model?

This hiring strategy is a direct investment in employer branding and talent retention. By hiring for potential and character, Chipotle builds a cohesive, high-performing culture. This reduces turnover and ensures that employees who advance into leadership roles are fully aligned with the company's core values. It shifts the focus from immediate skill sets to long-term potential, which is crucial for sustained growth in the competitive restaurant industry. This approach is a key reason for their high internal promotion rate, which strengthens internal morale and reduces recruitment costs.

To maximize your chances in a Chipotle interview, focus less on your burrito-rolling speed and more on demonstrating core personal qualities like enthusiasm, curiosity, and respect. Prepare examples from your past that show you are conscientious and motivated. Research the company to ask insightful questions that prove your ambition. By embodying the "13 Characteristics," you present yourself as a valuable long-term investment for a company that prides itself on growing its own leaders.