Hiring Tips for the Restaurant Industry

Hiring Tips for the Restaurant Industry

4 servers talking to each other in a restaurant setting

The restaurant industry has seen plenty of advancements over the years. But if you’re operating in the industry and haven’t revamped your hiring process recently, now is the time. 

Some hiring tips for the restaurant industry:

KNOW WHO YOU’RE TARGETING

You don’t just want any person to become an employee in your restaurant. You’re likely looking for specific requirements and skills, but you also probably have some personality traits in mind that can be tough to find. 

What are the elements of a perfect employee for your restaurant? Develop personas for each position and hire someone that matches those. 

Some questions to ask yourself as you’re developing these personas:

  • What skills do they have?
  • What experience do they have? 
  • Why do they want to work at your restaurant? 
  • What do they care about?
  • What do they look for in a job? 
  • What do they look for in fellow employees? 

By laying out the answers to these questions ahead of time, you can create a framework by which to hire. You can even ask these questions in interviews and hire the candidates whose answers match up with your personas’ answers. 

SIMPLIFY YOUR APPLICATIONS 

Are you requiring things of your applicants that may slow them down or keep good candidates from applying? Are you getting information that you simply no longer need? 

Simplifying your application process can help you, your candidates, and any other fellow employees who are involved in the hiring process. 

The application process is typically one that has remained the same for years simply because “that’s how it’s always been.” Take some time to tighten up your application process by ridding it of items you no longer need and adding items that will give you a better understanding of the candidate in less time. 

Even consider splitting your process into two parts. The initial part can weed out unfit candidates or help you decide where candidates would best fit; the second part of the process can help you get to know the candidate better and truly figure out how they could impact your business. 

Make sure your application process is easily accessible. If you have an application online, make sure it’s easy to find on your website and is mobile-friendly. If you require candidates to come inside your restaurant to apply, ensure there’s a proper process in place that your current employees can carry out to give them the best first impression. 

ENHANCE YOUR COMMUNICATION AND ONBOARDING PROCESS

In order to best communicate with your candidates, take some time to figure out what they’re looking for in an employer. Discover what you can do to help set them up and how you can foster a community that plenty of employees want to join. 

As your candidates move through background checks and other parts of your application or even onboarding process, reach out to ask for feedback on the process. This will not only help you improve your processes later; it will also create a positive relationship with your new employees right off the bat. 

We know that restaurants present their own unique challenges that require quick and efficient tools and HR practices. No matter what type or size restaurant you are, we’re here to help you manage the complexities of restaurant payroll. Click here to see how we help other restaurants like yours.

Posted Mar 1, 2020
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