They are on their feet for long periods at a time to do their work. Employers look for workers who will show up for work on time everyday. They often call high schools to get attendance reports for applicants to find out if they will be dependable workers. They must be able to work fast without making mistakes during rush hours. They also need to speak and read English in most restaurants and do simple arithmetic to follow recipes.
Cooks have to be able to work closely with other workers in a small, sometimes crowded area.