Inquiring Interviews
Rave Reviews founder Shelley Prueter believes that despite what appears to be a shallow labor pool, the
waters are teeming with great talent. Finding the keepers can be simple if interviewers know how to get the
right information from job seekers.

Following are her seven basic questions to get prospects talking. Based on their answers, she rates them as
“yes,” “maybe” and “no” candidates. She said she never hires less than a “yes” prospect. Hiring a “maybe”
and hoping they’ll improve is asking for trouble, she said. And when it comes to hiring a “no,” never do it.

The result of hiring only the best, she said, is a very high employee retention rate.

1. INFORMATION ABOUT GENERAL WORKFIELD
“Tell me about the jobs you’ve had in different industries and how they relate to the job for which
you are applying?”
Yes: Knows the restaurant business and reportS positive experiences with other companies
Maybe: Relative restaurant newcomer, but reports positive experiences.
No: Worked in restaurants before, now in unrelated field — signs of a job hopper — and worked
for questionable operations.

2. EXPERIENCE
“Tell me about your restaurant experience and all the positions you’ve worked?”
Yes: Strong experiences with good companies.
Maybe: Just now getting experience working for reputable companies.
No: Never worked in field or is a job hopper.

3. EDUCATION
“Tell me about your educational goals and background?”
Yes: Education reveals propensity toward continuous learning, attends self-development courses
if not higher education.
Maybe: High school graduate, but desires to take future courses.
No: Not a high school graduate, lacks goals for further development.

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