Hiring the wrong employee can cost your hotel ₦500,000+ in lost revenue, guest complaints, and retraining. But what if you could identify top talent in just 10 minutes—before they even start working?
After placing 1,200+ staff in Nigerian hotels, we’ve perfected a science-backed 10-minute interview hack that predicts who’ll become your next 5-star team member. Here’s exactly how it works.
The 3-Minute First Impression Test
What to Watch For:
✅ They arrive 15 minutes early (Shows respect for time)
✅ Their handshake is firm but not aggressive (Balanced confidence)
✅ They’re dressed neatly (Even if not in a suit, clothes are clean and pressed)
🚩 Red Flags:
– Chewing gum
– Checking phone during handshake
– Strong perfume/cologne (Could bother guests)
📌 Pro Tip: Have receptionists note how candidates treat them—future behavior with guests will mirror this.
The 4-Minute “Hospitality DNA” Question
Ask This:
“Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult person. How did you handle it?”
🔍 What a Star Answer Sounds Like:
– Focuses on solving the problem (Not complaining)
– Mentions reading emotions (“I noticed they were frustrated, so I…”)
– Ends with a happy resolution
💡 Why This Works: 92% of guest complaints stem from poor emotional intelligence—this question reveals it fast.
The 3-Minute “Do They Really Want THIS Job?” Check
Ask:
“What do you think a typical day here looks like for this role?”
🌟 Hire Them If They:
– Mention guest interactions (Not just tasks)
– Ask smart questions about team dynamics
– Show they’ve researched your hotel
🚫 Avoid If They:
– Give a generic answer (“Cleaning rooms?”)
– Can’t name one thing about your property
📈 Real Data: Candidates who ask 2+ questions about your hotel are 3X more likely to stay long-term.
Bonus: The 30-Second “Culture Fit” Test
Do This: Casually mention a current challenge (e.g., “We’ve had some negative reviews about slow check-ins…”).
⭐ Keeper Reaction:
“At my last job, we fixed that by…” or “I’d love to help turn that around!”
❌ Danger Zone:
“That’s not really my problem.” or “Your systems must be bad.”
Case Study: How This Method Saved a Lagos Hotel ₦2.1M
Before:
– Hired based on “experience” alone
– 50% of new staff quit within 3 months
After 10-Minute Hack:
– 87% retention rate at 6 months
– Guest satisfaction scores up by 35%
Your Action Plan 1️⃣ Tomorrow: Add the “difficult person” question to interviews.
2️⃣ Next Week: Train managers to watch for arrival behavior.
3️⃣ Next Month: Track retention rates—you’ll see the difference.
📢 Want Our Free Interview Scorecard? DM “HIRE” now!
🔔 Follow @HotelsAndPlaces for more hiring wins!
