How to Hire and Onboard the Perfect Restaurant Staff
For new restaurant owners, the process of hiring and onboarding staff can be daunting. There are a lot of moving parts to consider, from finding the right candidates to training them on your vision for the restaurant. But with a little planning and preparation, you can set your new team up for success.
In this blog post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about hiring and onboarding staff for your restaurant.
Where to Find Good Restaurant Candidates
The first step in hiring a great restaurant staff is finding the right candidates. There are a few different ways to go about this.
One option is to post your job listing on online job boards like Indeed. However, there aren’t very many people who go on those sites specifically looking for restaurant jobs.
Another option is to post your listing on your restaurant’s website or social media page (or both). This can be a good way to reach people who are already interested in your restaurant.
If you’re serious about finding the right talent for your new restaurant, you could run targeted ads to college students, restaurant industry workers, or even people who have worked in customer service before. In your advertisements, be sure to mention what makes your restaurant unique and why someone should want to work there.
You could also try reaching out to local culinary schools and asking if they have any students or graduates who are looking for a job. This is a great way to find people who have experience in the food industry, although it isn’t necessary unless you have a special restaurant.
How to Navigate the Hiring Process
Once you’ve found some potential candidates, it’s time to start the hiring process. The first step is to screen each candidate to make sure they’re a good fit for the job.
You can do this by looking at their resume and cover letter (if they have one) and seeing if their qualifications and experience match what you’re looking for in a staff member.
You should also conduct a brief phone interview with each candidate. This is your chance to ask them questions about their experience and get to know them a little bit better.
After you’ve screened the candidates, it’s time to invite the most promising ones in for an in-person interview.
During the interview, be sure to ask each candidate about their availability, their interest in the job, and their experience in the food industry.
You should also ask them what they would do in specific situations that are relevant to the job. For example, you could ask them how they would deal with a customer who is unhappy with their order.
The last step of the interview process is to conduct a trial shift. This is where you have the candidate come in and work a shift with your staff. This will give you a chance to see how they interact with customers and other members of your team.
If everything goes well, you can offer them the job!
Onboarding Your New Team
Now that you’ve hired your team, it’s time to get on with restaurant training. The first step is to show them around the restaurant and introduce them to their co-workers.
Then, you’ll want to train them on your vision for the restaurant. This includes things like your menu, your style of service, and your expectations for customer interaction.
You should also give them a tour of the kitchen and let them know what their responsibilities will be. If you have any specific policies or procedures, be sure to go over those as well.
Once your team is up to speed on the basics, it’s time to start their shift. Be sure to check in with them periodically to see how they’re doing and answer any questions they may have.
After their shift is over, be sure to debrief with them and get their feedback on how things went.
Final Thoughts
The hiring and onboarding process for a restaurant can be challenging, but it’s important to take your time and do it right. By following these tips, you’ll be able to find and train the perfect team for your new restaurant!
