What do you do if your hospitality interviewee struggles with a language barrier?

1 Patience First

When faced with a language barrier during an interview, patience is your first and most important tool. It's crucial to give the interviewee time to formulate their responses. Rushing them could result in unnecessary stress and hinder their ability to showcase their true potential. Remember, hospitality thrives on understanding and accommodating individuals from diverse backgrounds, and showing patience sets the tone for a respectful and inclusive work environment.

2 Simplify Questions

If your interviewee is struggling to understand complex language, simplify your questions without altering the core information you need. Use clear and concise language, avoiding idioms, slang, and complex vocabulary that might be confusing. This approach helps the interviewee to better understand the questions, allowing them to provide more accurate responses and demonstrate their qualifications more effectively.

3 Non-Verbal Cues

Non-verbal communication can be a powerful tool in overcoming language barriers. Gestures, facial expressions, and other forms of body language can convey meaning when words fail. Encourage your interviewee to use non-verbal cues and pay close attention to theirs. This can help bridge the gap in understanding and provide additional context to their verbal responses.

4 Use Visuals

Incorporating visual aids into the interview can greatly assist someone facing language difficulties. Pictures, charts, or written words can help clarify questions or concepts that are being discussed. Visuals serve as universal languages that can transcend linguistic limitations, enabling the interviewee to better grasp the subject matter and respond appropriately.

5 Language Assistance

When necessary, consider using language assistance such as a translator or translation software. This ensures that both you and the interviewee can communicate more effectively. While this may not be feasible for all positions, especially if language proficiency is a job requirement, it can be a valuable tool for positions where language skills can be developed on the job.

6 Evaluate Fairly

Ultimately, it's essential to evaluate the interviewee based on their hospitality skills and potential rather than their current language proficiency. Focus on their relevant experience, attitude, and willingness to learn and adapt. Assessing them fairly will help you make an informed decision about their suitability for the role in your hospitality business.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?