How To Find Restaurant Staff Fast

Finding and keeping talented employees in the restaurant industry can be tough, but it's not impossible. This guide is here to help you navigate the hiring process and find the best staff for your restaurant quickly and efficiently. 

Identifying Your Hospitality Hiring Needs

When it comes to hiring restaurant staff, there are a few key factors to consider. It's important to have a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities you need to fill. Take the time to create detailed job descriptions that outline the skills and experience required for each position. This will help you attract candidates who are the right fit for your restaurant.

The restaurant industry moves fast, and you don't want to lose out on top talent because your hiring process is too slow. Look for ways to expedite the process, such as using online applications and conducting initial interviews via video calls. This will help you screen candidates more efficiently and make quicker hiring decisions.

Each restaurant has unique staffing needs, shaped by its size, service style, and business model. From kitchen staff like chefs and line cooks to front-of-house roles such as servers and hosts, it's crucial to identify the specific roles that need to be filled. It's also worth considering the qualities and skills required for each role. For instance, front-of-house staff might need a more customer-oriented skill set compared to the back-of-house employees.

Leveraging Recruitment Support

Restaurant managers may not always have extensive experience in recruitment. Therefore, seeking assistance from corporate headquarters, recruitment agencies, and even current staff members can help streamline the recruitment cycle.

Attracting Top Restaurant Talent

To attract capable and dedicated restaurant staff, it's crucial to offer competitive compensation and benefits. Shout about these benefits in your job description, and be as transparent as possible:

A supportive working environment

Paid parental and holiday leave

Free meals or meal allowances

Travel allowances

Fair salary

Detailed Job Descriptions

A detailed job description that clearly outlines your restaurant's brand and values, style of service, job duties, schedule requirements, starting wage, and any benefits can make a world of difference. By providing this information upfront, you are not only demonstrating your professionalism but commitment to transparency but also giving potential candidates a clear understanding of what they can expect from working at your establishment.

Showcase your unique selling points and what sets your brand apart from others. That way you are giving candidates the opportunity to see if they share the same values and if they are enthusiastic about your restaurant. This can help attract candidates who are not only qualified for the job but also genuinely passionate about the work they will be doing.

Whether it's fine dining, casual dining, or fast-casual, potential candidates need to understand the atmosphere and level of service expected from them. This information can help candidates assess if their skills and experience align with the style of service your restaurant offers.

Detail the tasks and expectations associated with the role, and give candidates a realistic preview of what their day-to-day responsibilities will entail. This not only helps attract candidates who are well-suited for the position but also ensures that those who apply have a clear understanding of what will be expected of them.

Let them know what the time commitment is likely to be across any given week. Specific shifts, weekends, or holidays, being transparent about schedule expectations can help filter out candidates who may not be available during those times. 

Posting on Job Sites

Start by posting your vacancies on general job sites such as Indeed or Monster. These platforms have a broad reach and offer options for sponsored ads to increase visibility.

Platforms like Switch Roles specialise in hospitality and can help you reach a more targeted audience. These sites also offer resources and insights into the industry's best practices for recruitment and naturally attract the talent you are looking for faster.

Shortlisting and Screening Candidates

Screening applicants through a set of preliminary questions can help determine if they meet your basic requirements. This can be done via email or a phone interview.

After the initial screening, shortlisted candidates can be invited for a phone interview. This step can provide a deeper understanding of the candidate's skills, experience, and compatibility with the role.

In-person interviews provide an opportunity to assess the candidate's personality, communication skills, and fit with your existing team. It also allows candidates to have a feel of the work environment.

Conducting test runs, especially for kitchen and front-of-house roles, allows you to assess a candidate's skills and abilities in a real-world setting. This step can also help the candidate understand the job's demands.

Additional Hiring Strategies

Consider promoting existing staff to higher roles and hiring new staff for entry-level positions. This can boost employee morale and make it easier to fill vacancies and retain knowledge in your growing teams.

Retaining talent is just as important as finding it. Offer competitive wages and benefits, provide opportunities for growth and development, and recognize your employees' hard work and achievements. When your staff feels valued and supported, they are more likely to stay with your restaurant long-term.

Conducting Exit Interviews

Exit interviews can provide valuable insights into improving the hiring and onboarding process. They can also help identify areas of improvement in your work environment.

Ensuring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

A diverse workforce can enhance creativity, decision-making, and customer service in your restaurant. It's crucial to focus on DEI practices in your hiring process to build a more resilient and dynamic team.

Regularly Review Your Hiring Strategy

If your recruitment strategy isn't delivering, try something new. A strong employer brand can make your restaurant an attractive place to work. This includes working on creating a positive work culture and reputation.

Hiring restaurant staff doesn't have to be a daunting task. With the right strategies and resources, you can find and hire quality staff quickly and efficiently. Remember, your team is an extension of your brand, and a strong hiring strategy is a crucial part of your business's success.

If you are interested in partnering with us to post hospitality your jobs, get in touch.