Restaurant Job Board Blog

Have a plan in place before your restaurant opens to ensure the successful hiring of great restaurant employees.  You want the people working for you to be dedicated to the success and reputation of your new restaurant.  The number of employees you hire depends on the size of the restaurant, the hours of operation you intend to keep and also how many positions you require to fill.

An employee who is happy at a job will show through in their work performance and to the reputation of your business.  Try to hire someone who will give you their best effort and is eager to work hard.  Offer them compensation for their efforts and benefits as well.  If you appreciate your employees and acknowledge their hard work,  you will be repaid by your business success.

When you’re ready to hire employees for your restaurant before it opens, place an ad in a classified section of your newspaper or online agency. Mention in the ad  what skills and experience you require and what characteristics you desire in a person.  For example, they have to be pleasant, able to work hard and get along well with other employees and be customer friendly.  If they are successful in obtaining an interview you can further screen them for appropriate skills and personality traits.

Try advertising at the employment office. They will enter the restaurant position(s) in their job bank online.  Many people looking for employment are experienced in the restaurant industry and are eager to work in a new establishment.

If you’re interested in hiring a student, you could contact any of the high schools in the area.  Many students are looking for a job after school or on weekends. Many post secondary schools have job posting boards where potential employers can put up their job advertisements.  Another idea is to investigate potential chefs or cooks at a culinary college.

When you have finally opened your restaurant and realize you need to hire a bit more help, you can get recommendations from your best employees about friends or relatives that may need a job.

Place an ad in your restaurant window that you’re now taking applications for a specific position. Always put a date, time frame and telephone number where and when you can be reached to help the hiring process run smoothly.  This will avoid people dropping off applications past the deadline and at all hours when you’re not prepared to speak to them.

Today’s post is all about YOU.

What do YOU think makes a great restaurant to work at…? Tell us in the comment section below. What makes a great place to work as a restaurant worker…?

Have you ever walked into a business like a clothing store or restaurant and the employees there didn’t acknowledge you? You knew that they saw you enter, yet they didn’t feel that it was more important that a potential customer was greeted and served right away than finishing their current conversation or whatever they were doing.

How did you feel?

Did you want to spend your money there?

Not good, right?

I don’t blame you, now that you are the business owner, what are you going to do differently? I don’t have any statistical data of how much it would harm your business; however, it will definitely not be good for potential customers to get this kind of first impression when they enter your business.

Here are some steps you can take to teach your staff how to welcome and acknowledge every customer in your restaurant.

Teach it

Yes, it’s true, most things in life are intuitive, yet in your business, never assume that what you want to be done is known by your staff. ESP doesn’t work in relationships and it doesn’t work in business either. Show your staff what you want them to say to customers, when and why. Demonstrate and role play some possible scenarios. Ask them how they feel when they are ignored?

Repetition

Repetition is the key in every type of learning. Don’t talk to and treat people like they are stupid, just simply practice constistency. Employees prefer predictablility. Good business practices are clear and predictable. If your staff are not clear on the task, then they won’t perform the task. Drill it into your staff’s heads so that when a customer walks in, they don’t think about what they should do, they’ll just do it.

Reward Good Good Modelling

Reward and recognition doesn’t always have to be related to money. A word of praise privately or in front of co-workers, or a pat on the back will do for most things. Recognize the desired behavior no matter how redundant it may seem. Not being appreciated is one of the major reasons of work dissatisfaction.

Fire

Nobody likes to have let staff go, but it is a tough task that is involved in being a business owner. If someone doesn’t buy into your restaurant culture with repeated attempts to persuade them, then they should go to a company where they will buy into that culture. You’ll be doing that person a favor in the long run. One bad apple WILL corrupt the bunch. It takes very little effort to criticize and complain- destroying what you are trying to build. Take notes on the ones who roll their eyes, snicker or offer unwanted advice or comments. Convert or eliminate negative energy. It takes constant positive energy and effort to create and maintain good attitudes and practices in your business.

You can’t lose if customers that feel welcomed and appreciated. The good will generated can’t be measured, except that you will get repeat business and eventually referrals to your business. Stand above your competitors by putting the extra work in creating an environment that is both warm and inviting.