5 Tips for Recruiting Restaurant Employees This Summer

As summer approaches, many restaurants need more kitchen staff, servers and bartenders.  Whether you are recruiting restaurant employees for full time positions or summer seasonal jobs, you want staff that will bring in the level of business your restaurant needs.  It’s a plus when you can find loyal, hard-working staff that will stick around for a long period of time.  The turnover rate for jobs in the hospitality sector, many of which include food service, has been increasing over the past ten years or so.  In 2016, the turnover rate was over 70%.  When recruiting restaurant employees, there are some strategies that can help prevent turnover and make this summer a profitable one for your business.  Here are some effective restaurant recruiting tips:

1)  Look to your best current employees

Since good people usually keep good company, your most hard-working and loyal current employees are likely to have family and friends that would be assets to your restaurant.  A fast and efficient way to fill openings for summer seasonal jobs is to encourage your current employees to make recommendations.  You may even find some employees that end up staying with you for years to come.  For current employees that give referrals that fill job openings, offer rewards such as gift certificates or paid vacation days.

2)  Revitalize Your Company Website

Since so many job seekers are accustomed to searching online, you want to make sure you utilize the Internet as much as possible when recruiting restaurant employees.  Make your website reflect your company’s culture as much as possible, by displaying upcoming events, news about your restaurant and other fun content such as special recipes.  Get employees and customers involved by including customer ratings and recommendations and employee testimonials on what it’s like to work at your restaurant.  Have a separate section on the website for job listings, update it regularly and make sure the online application process is as quick and simple as possible.

3)  Network with Local Institutes and Training Programs

When recruiting restaurant employees, look into food service programs at local high schools, colleges, or culinary institutes.  If you establish a strong relationship with them, they are likely to speak well of you, and give you access to their fresh talent the second they hit the job market.  Also, join associations that are connected with culinary and food service students and job seekers, such as the American Culinary Federation Chapter.

4)  Promote job openings on social media

Post any job openings on your company and Twitter accounts, utilizing hashtags such as #restaurantjobs #foodservice and #hiring.  Also, one of the best restaurant recruiting tips to follow on social media is posting content to attract job seekers to your company.  Examples of this are videos of the day to day operations at your restaurant, or photos from a company party or charity event your restaurant sponsors.

5)  Mentor and Promote from Within

No matter what position an employee is hired for, if they have the work ethic you want they are worth investing in.  When recruiting restaurant employees, do your best to educate them on all the ins and outs of the business as well as how you want business to run at your restaurant in particular.  Over time, many of the employees you already have will become familiar with different aspects of the restaurant, and may make great management material someday.