Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Article reprint
HIRING EMPLOYEES FOR CAFES AND RESTAURANTS
- THREE KEY QUESTIONS
I had a steady stream of job applicants, some with prior experience, and
some without. It was important to me to learn how candidates would
perform in emergency situations, because I knew that everything else
could be learned from routine procedures.
The interview began with me asking the candidate to give a one minute
overview of themselves, so to become comfortable talking. Then the
interview would really start. The candidates came prepared for questions
about their prior jobs. They were somewhat surprised that I asked three
questions about the future only, and not the past.
2
Question 1:
"The cafe is moderately busy on the inside and you are behind the cash
register. All of a sudden, one of the customers collapses. What would you
do?"
● Ask the customer what help they need if they are conscious
● Ensure that others keep away from the scene so as to give the
customer privacy
3
Question 2:
"The cafe is moderately busy on the inside and you are behind the cash
register. All of a sudden, you detect smoke. What would you do?"
Question 3:
"The cafe is moderately busy on the inside and you are behind the cash
register. All of a sudden, someone walks right up to you and asks for the
money in the register. What would you do?"
If the candidate didn't answer with "give them the money," or something
to that effect right away, then it didn't matter what their answers were to
the first two questions. Also, it didn't matter how otherwise desirable they
may be - they were not hired.
In some cases I was asked if the perpetrator had a gun or a knife, to which
I told them that they wouldn't necessarily know. Asking that question
automatically eliminated the candidate. I was concerned that in a live
situation they would hesitate before acting, making the perpetrator nervous
and unpredictable.
4
I passed on some otherwise good candidates who could not answer these
questions to my satisfaction. However, when considering the liabilities of
a restauranteur, safety and security are paramount - dead employees and
customers are not good for business.
5
For more information...
6
About Nigel A.L Brooks...
www.nigelalbrooks.com
www.bldsolutions.com
7
THE BUSINESS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
13835 NORTH TATUM BOULEVARD 9-102
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85032 USA
www.bldsolutions.com
(602) 291-4595