Assess licensing compliance understanding, health and safety regulations, and operational standards knowledge whilst focusing on practical application over theoretical memorisation. Test knowledge through realistic scenarios requiring industry expertise and professional judgment.
Common misunderstanding: Theoretical knowledge equals practical application.
Many hiring managers test industry knowledge through memorisation rather than practical application, missing how candidates would actually handle real compliance, safety, and operational situations.
Let's say you are a duty manager interviewing someone who perfectly recites licensing requirements but can't explain how to handle an intoxicated customer or manage staff during a safety incident.
Evaluate cash handling procedures, incident reporting requirements, and guest service standards whilst requiring understanding of operational compliance and team management protocols. Focus on knowledge ensuring safe, legal, and profitable restaurant operations.
Common misunderstanding: General hospitality experience covers all requirements.
Broad industry experience doesn't guarantee specific management competencies. Duty managers need detailed knowledge of cash procedures, incident protocols, and compliance requirements unique to supervisory roles.
Let's say you are a duty manager evaluating a candidate with years of serving experience. They understand customer service but might not know how to handle cash discrepancies, complete incident reports, or manage licensing compliance during your absence.
Test knowledge through practical management scenarios requiring compliance understanding, safety protocols, and professional service behaviour whilst observing application during trials. Evaluate understanding through demonstrated knowledge application rather than theoretical recitation.
Common misunderstanding: Testing industry knowledge requires formal examination.
Complicated testing methods don't reveal practical understanding as effectively as realistic scenarios that show how candidates apply knowledge under working conditions.
Let's say you are a duty manager assessing industry knowledge. Rather than asking candidates to list safety regulations, present them with scenarios like handling a customer complaint about food quality or managing staff when a colleague calls in sick during busy service.