How to Find, Hire, and Retain the Best Staff for Your Restaurant
As a restaurant owner, you know that hiring and retaining great staff is essential to your success. Good employees improve the customer experience, boost productivity, and build a positive reputation for your business. But finding the right candidates can be a challenge, especially in a competitive industry. In this blog post, we'll discuss how to find the best candidates for waiting/bar staff, chefs, BOH, and other roles, how to conduct effective interviews, strategies for retaining your employees, and how to manage staffing during peak and off-peak seasons.
How and Where to Find the Best Candidates
The first step to hiring great staff is finding good candidates. Here are four ways to do it:
Online job boards: Popular sites like Indeed and Monster are a great place to start. You can post your job listing and receive applications from qualified candidates.
Social media: Consider posting job openings on your restaurant's social media pages or even your personal network. You never know who might have someone to recommend.
Industry-specific websites: Look up industry-specific sites like Culinary Agents for restaurant job postings. These sites offer a more targeted audience.
Referrals and word of mouth: Tap into your network of industry professionals, friends, and family to find qualified candidates. You can even offer a referral bonus to incentivize your staff to refer talented individuals.
How Do I Conduct Effective Interviews?
Once you've received applications, it's time to conduct interviews. Here are four key things to keep in mind:
Prepare structured questions: Start by developing a list of interview questions to ask every applicant. This will ensure that you're comparing apples to apples when evaluating candidates.
Assess skills and cultural fit: Look for candidates with the right skill set, but also those who match your restaurant's values and culture.
Consider practical tests: Depending on the role, you may want to consider practical tests to assess the candidate's skill level. This could include a cooking test or a role-playing scenario.
Listen actively: Don't just ask questions- listen carefully to the candidate's answers. Be sure to respond thoughtfully and ask follow-up questions to gain more insight.
What Strategies Can I Use to Retain Employees?
Keeping quality employees is just as important as finding them. Here are four strategies you can use to retain your staff:
Competitive pay and benefits: Offer salaries and benefits that are competitive for your location and market.
Professional development opportunities: Invest in your employees' training and development to help them grow in their roles.
Positive work culture: Foster a positive and supportive work environment where employees feel valued and appreciated.
Regular feedback and recognition: Provide regular feedback to your employees and recognize their achievements. This will help them feel appreciated and motivated to continue to do great work.
How to Manage Staffing During Peak and Off-Peak Seasons
Depending on your restaurant's location and concept, you may experience seasonal fluctuations in business. Here are three strategies for managing staffing during these periods:
Flexible scheduling: Offer flexible scheduling options to staff so they can work around unexpected changes in business volume.
Cross-train staff: Train staff across different roles so they can help fill in when needed.
Predict and plan for fluctuations: Use past data to anticipate changes in business volume and plan accordingly. This may mean hiring temporary staff during peak seasons or reducing hours during slower periods.
Should I Hire Full Time, Part Time, or Zero Hour?
The answer to this question will depend on your restaurant's needs and budget. Here are three considerations:
Determine business requirements and employee needs: Assess what roles need to be filled and evaluate how many hours are necessary to fill them.
Match to workload and budget: Consider business volume and budget when deciding on full-time, part-time, or zero-hour contracts.
Consider labor laws: Make sure to abide by labor laws in your state or region. Zero-hour contracts may not be allowed in some areas.
In Conclusion:
Hiring and retaining talented staff is critical to the success of your restaurant. By finding the best candidates, conducting effective interviews, retaining employees, and managing staffing carefully, you can build a team that helps your restaurant thrive. Remember to offer competitive pay and benefits, foster a positive work culture, and provide opportunities for development and recognition. Above all, keep an open mind and stay flexible in your approach to staffing- the restaurant industry is always changing, and your strategy should adapt with it.
