1. Use online job platforms and social media
Online job platforms are a popular and effective way to recruit staff.
Post your vacancies on well-known platforms such as Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor and HorecaJobs (NL).
Make sure your job listing is clear and appealing, with a good description of the role, the requirements, and the benefits.
Also use attractive images, compelling copy, and relevant hashtags to capture the attention of potential candidates and improve your visibility.
And don't forget to ask your current employees to share the vacancies within their own networks.
2. Organise a recruitment day or open application event
A recruitment day or open application event can be an effective way to meet and assess potential candidates.
By organising a dedicated day where interested parties can come in for an informal meeting, you can get a first impression of their personality, motivation, and skills.
This gives you the opportunity to make direct contact and select candidates who are a good fit for your business.
In short, a public recruitment day has 5 major advantages:
- Access to a diverse pool of candidates.
- A more efficient recruitment process.
- Direct interaction with and observation of your candidates.
- The opportunity for practical assessments and tests.
- Strengthening of brand awareness.
3. Offer attractive working conditions
Of course, it is important to offer attractive working conditions to attract and retain staff.
Think about a good work-life balance, fair pay, opportunities for personal growth and development, a positive work culture, and appreciation for your employees' efforts.
By investing in your staff and creating a pleasant working environment, you increase the likelihood that talented people will want to work for you.
4. Partner with hospitality training institutes and organisations
Hospitality training institutes and organisations are valuable partners when it comes to finding qualified staff.
Contact local training institutes, such as hotel schools and culinary academies, and enquire about opportunities for collaboration.
For example, you could offer internships to students or participate in job fairs and career events organised by these institutions. This way, you can connect directly with motivated and well-trained candidates who are interested in a career in the hospitality industry.
5. Make use of flexi-workers and student employees
An effective way to find the right staff for your hospitality business is to make use of flexi-workers and student employees. Flexi-jobs offer flexibility for both employers and employees and allow you to quickly bring in extra staff during busy periods. They often involve experienced hospitality workers who can work flexibly based on your business's needs.
In addition, student employees are valuable temporary workers. They are motivated to gain experience in the hospitality industry and can bring youthful energy to your team.
Working with flexi-workers and student employees gives you the opportunity to test potential permanent staff members before offering them a full employment contract.
Do make sure you establish clear agreements about their working hours and tasks. Provide guidance and training so that they can contribute effectively to your hospitality business.
6. Invest in employer branding
Invest in employer branding to position your hospitality business as an attractive employer.
Build a positive image by sharing testimonials from current employees, highlighting successes, and showcasing the work culture through social media.
Offer good employment conditions, such as flexible working hours, growth opportunities, and a healthy work-life balance.
Use a clear job listing that emphasises the mission and values of your business. With strong employer branding, you attract talent that feels connected to your company culture and contributes to the success of your hospitality business.
7. Use your own website
To find great staff for your hospitality business, effective recruitment on your website is essential. Create a separate URL or page dedicated to vacancies and staff recruitment. Optimise this page with relevant keywords such as "hospitality vacancies" and "staff wanted in hospitality" to improve findability.
Use internal link building by adding relevant links to the vacancies page, such as in the navigation bar or in related blog articles. This improves your SEO and makes it easy for visitors and search engines to find the vacancies.
Ensure a user-friendly and informative vacancies page with clear and appealing job listings. Include relevant information about your restaurant, role requirements, and the application process. Use visual elements such as images or videos to spark the interest of potential candidates and give them a better sense of your company culture โ this increases the chances of receiving applications from qualified staff for your restaurant!
Need help managing your own website? Let us help you!
Professional hospitality websites
Conclusion
With this extra tip, you now have a total of 7 valuable strategies for finding the right staff for your hospitality business.
Pay attention to the following points when looking for hospitality staff:
- online job platforms
- social media
- recruitment days
- attractive working conditions
- your own network
- making use of flexi-workers and student employees
- investing in employer branding
- leveraging your own website
By applying all of these points, you increase your chances of attracting motivated, qualified, and enthusiastic staff who are a great fit for your hospitality business or restaurant!
FAQ
How do I find the right staff for my hospitality business or restaurant? You can find the right staff for your hospitality business by:
- Using online job platforms and social media
- Organising a recruitment day or open application event
- Offering attractive working conditions
- Partnering with hospitality training institutes and organisations
- Making use of flexi-workers and student employees
- Investing in employer branding
- Leveraging your own website
Which online job platforms are suitable for recruiting hospitality staff?
Popular online job platforms for recruiting hospitality staff include Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor and HorecaJobs.
How do I become an attractive employer as a restaurant?
Take advantage of employer branding by sharing testimonials from current employees, highlighting successes, and showcasing the work culture through social media.
Offer good employment conditions and use a job listing that emphasises the mission and values of your business.
