Work History Length

• While some employees regularly jump from job-to-job, others remain loyal employees for extended periods of time. In general, it is best to hire someone who has staying power. If your candidate's resume shows an assortment of jobs in the restaurant field, ask her about the length of employment with each employer as well as her reasons for leaving each job. Too much activity could help you pinpoint a job-hopper.
  
  

Customer Satisfaction

• Because customers are the fuel that keeps your restaurant running, satisfying them is highly important. Ask your candidate what he feels exceptional customer service looks like, what he would do if faced with an unhappy customer or how he feels restaurant workers can keep customers happy daily. If his answers to these questions are strong, he will likely prove to be a customer-oriented employee.
  
  

Leadership

• Though not all workers are leaders, hiring someone with leadership aspirations may be a wise choice since this individual will likely work harder to attain her goals. Ask your candidate if she has ever held a leadership position or if she would like to hold a position of this type. If she seems to have no interest in leading, she may lack the drive that is befitting a good employee.
  
  

Food-Related Knowledge

• Even if your worker will not prepare food, he will work with it daily, making a healthy dose of food expertise a major asset. Ask your employee about his reasons for selecting the hospitality industry, if he has taken any food-related courses and what information he knows about food and food preparation. If your questioning reveals that he doesn't know the difference between sage and saffron, he might not be the most appropriate choice.
  
  

Career Goals

• For many, working in the restaurant industry is not the ultimate dream job; however, if you seek an employee who will stick with you for a reasonable period of time, it is wise to select someone who has some interest in staying in the field for a while. Ask your candidate about her ultimate career goal. If she tells you that she ultimately wants to be a lawyer and only has six months left of law school, you may not be wise to hire her as she will likely move on rather quickly, making your training a waste of time.