THE C-SUITE By Anthony Lambatos
Four Traits that Separate Game-Changing Hires from the Rest
D uring periods of uncertainty, most same time, these situations are ripe with opportunity. The costs of expansion often come down, new product and service demands arise, and there are a lot of talented people looking for work. Unemployment in the hospitality industry recently reached the highest level it’s been since just after the pandemic, which is good news businesses choose to take a conservative approach and rightfully so. It can be risky to make major decisions when there are questions about future demand; and at the for those looking to expand or level up their teams. It may be easier to attract a wide pool of candidates than it’s been the past few years, but it’s more important than ever to have a well-structured hiring process—a process that is clear on the needs of the position and that can help you identify top talent. I’ve found there are four characteristics common among top performers, and these are attributes that I look for when hiring key positions within our company. 1. Perseverance The road to success is never smooth and straight. There are obstacles, challenges, curves, and setbacks that litter the path. Those who can deal with adversity, bounce back from failure, and persevere when things get hard
rise above the rest. They are willing to take risks that can significantly move the business forward and they are the first to find solutions when things go wrong. Sample interview questions: • Tell us about a time in your career that you wanted something so badly that you were unstoppable in pursuing it. • What obstacles did you overcome to get there? 2. Teamwork The ability to work well with others is critical within high functioning teams. We all know how miserable it can be to work with someone who detracts from the efforts of the team, yet I’ve never had anyone tell me that they “aren’t a team player.” Gaining insight into the teams a candidate has been on and the dynamics within those teams is critical to determining how they will fit on your team. Sample interview questions: • Tell me about a time when you worked on a team that was not successful. • What was your role and experience? • Tell us about the situation from the perspective of your fellow team members.
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SUMMER 2025 ■ CATERSOURCE
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