Why this matters:
Those who succeed in hospitality often are friendly and personable, organized, possess domestic expertise, and have a knack for thinking on their feet. A strong candidate will be able to both articulate useful skills and also identify how they possess these skills and have used them successfully in the past.
What to listen for:
- Understanding of the skills needed be successful in the role
- Ability to articulate the value they will bring to your hotel/household
- Domestic expertise
Why this matters:
One of the primary responsibilities of a butler is making sure household or hotel supplies are fully stocked at all times. This requires strong organizational skills and careful advance planning. Your candidate should have a clear system for keeping track of supplies and anticipating when to put in orders.
What to listen for:
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to anticipate needs in advance
- Clear systems to keep track of goods
Why this matters:
As a hospitality expert, a butler should be well-versed in food and wine pairings. Butlers keep track of available beverages and give recommendations to you and your guests. Many butlers are trained and certified sommeliers. Asking this question will help you get a sense of your candidate’s expertise when it comes to pairings, and is also a fun way to learn their personal preferences.
What to listen for:
- Flavor palate expertise
- Deep knowledge of wines
- Ability to confidently make recommendations
Why this matters:
Since a butler’s responsibilities can vary between employers, it's important to get a sense of what your candidate has been responsible for in the past, and what they anticipate being responsible for in future positions. Be sure to share what duties you expect them to take on in your hotel/household, and make sure they have the necessary skills to complete specialized tasks.
What to listen for:
- Strong general understanding of a butler’s role in the household
- Comfort performing duties you expect to assign them
- Specialized skills you may need for this role
Why this matters:
Ensuring that a household runs smoothly is no easy task. Butlers are bound to encounter stressful situations from time to time. For instance, perhaps they’re short-staffed for the day or catering for an event that is canceled at the last minute. Butlers must be able to keep calm in tense situations and think on their feet. A natural problem-solver will do well in a role like this.
What to listen for:
- Problem-solving skills
- Ability to think on their feet
- Calm and professional in stressful situations
Why this matters:
A butler is someone you or your guests will interact with on a day-to-day basis. Ask this question to get a sense of what your candidate believes goes into a successful employer-employee relationship. Listen for whether or not their skills and preferences align with what is needed in your household. It is best to know in advance if there are certain duties they prefer not to take on.
What to listen for:
- Ability to articulate duties in and out of their comfort zone
- Shared household interests and goals
- Sense of what makes a successful employer-employee relationship
Why this matters:
Butlers come from all kinds of educational backgrounds. Learning a bit about your candidate’s history, and what drew them to start a career in hospitality, can help you understand what skills they’ll bring to your hotel/household and how they approach their work. A strong candidate will exhibit a genuine passion for their work and have high standards for their performance.
What to listen for:
- Passion for hospitality
- Friendly demeanor
- Long-term interest in the career
Why this matters:
With a diverse array of responsibilities, a butler must be organized and keep to a tight schedule. On a given day, a butler may chauffeur principles, order household supplies, review payroll, plan an event, or do any number of other miscellaneous tasks. Your candidate should be someone comfortable switching gears, and have clear strategies in place for keeping track of what needs to get done.
What to listen for:
- Clear strategies for juggling tasks
- Comfort switching gears throughout the day
- Ability to stick to a tight schedule
Why this matters:
If your butler will be managing other staff, it’s important to know how they approach leadership. A strong candidate will be able to explain how they’ll fairly and effectively delegate tasks. You’ll want to ensure that your candidate is comfortable taking charge while remaining respectful and that their leadership style fits your household’s needs.
What to listen for:
- Comfort in a leadership role
- Ability to fairly and effectively delegate tasks
- Empathy and respect for coworkers
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