Let’s face it: hiring in the hospitality industry can be hard. Not only is it challenging to find talent, but connecting with the right people who will bring skills, excitement, and teamwork to your organization is a downright daunting process.
Improving your hiring experience can go a long way toward helping you secure the staff you need to thrive. Consider how these hiring tips for hospitality can help your business get over the staffing hurdle.
Understand Your Establishment’s Needs
One of the most important hiring tips for hospitality is to know what your establishment needs to create a culture of excellence. Do you find yourself in a year-round staffing shortage, or does this usually happen during a particular season of the year? Is your management team up to par, or should you be on the hunt for a new executive staff?
Knowing what you need will help you write excellent job descriptions that attract the right candidates to your venue. It will also help you ask the right questions and know what to look for during the interview phase so you don’t end up with people who don’t or cannot support your overall business goals.
Consider Your Candidate Experience
When it comes to hiring in the hospitality industry, competition is fierce. Many businesses are vying for the same candidates, and it’s important for you to stand apart from the crowd. Though most hospitality recruiting tips will focus on having the right skills, you also need to ensure you’re crafting an excellent candidate experience.
This starts with creating a seamless application process that makes it easy for candidates to apply. Use text messages and QR codes, and consider shortening the application itself. Once they’ve submitted it, make sure you’re contacting them for interviews in a timely manner and maintaining professionalism every step of the way.
Never Skip the Background Checks
Honesty and integrity in the hospitality industry are part of the guest experience. In most establishments, employees will be working closely with customers’ sensitive information. You need to know that you can trust every person in your organization to do so safely, discreetly, and in a way that helps you maintain compliance.
One way to improve hospitality staffing is by conducting better background checks. In addition to traditional background checks, consider adding a requirement for candidates to provide references. Though this is no guarantee, knowing what former employers and peers have to say about a potential candidate can help you learn whether they might be a good fit for your business.
Always Hire for Attitude and Disposition
In the hospitality industry, skills can be taught. For example, you can instruct someone working in a hotel on how to change bedding quickly or show a bartender how to mix a custom drink. What you cannot teach a candidate is how to maintain a good attitude and a true passion for serving others.
One of the best hospitality hiring strategies is to make sure that you’re looking for the right things when interviewing a candidate. If someone doesn’t have the skills you’re seeking but knows how to be a team player and is willing to learn, don’t overlook the inspiration they bring to the table.
Don’t Delay Your Hiring Efforts — Find the Candidates You Need Today
Perhaps the most important of all hospitality hiring strategies is to make sure you act fast. If you’re looking for candidates, it’s likely that many of your competitors are doing the same. Delaying your hiring can prove disastrous for your business.
As you look for candidates to staff your hospitality business, consider partnering with One Haus. We have access to a diverse pool of passionate and qualified talent who can help you create the culture of excellence your guests crave. Contact us today to learn more about our services and get started with a custom staffing solution.