The health crisis has had a direct impact on the hospitality sector. Whether in the dining room, behind the counter or in the kitchen, the shortage of manpower is making itself felt, putting the catering sector under strain. So how do you recruit restaurant staff on a permanent basis? And which positions are most in demand? Find out in this article.
What are the most sought-after positions in the foodservice industry?
According to figures from the French Ministry of Labor, the number of jobs in the accommodation and catering sector fell from 1,309,000 to 1,072,000 between February 2020 and February 2021. This represents a decline of 237,000 jobs, whereas the sector normally grows by around 50,000 a year.
Faced with this significant downsizing of the accommodation and catering sector, restaurateurs are finding it hard to recruit. The most sought-after professions are essentially those related to service and cooking. Waiters, chefs, room managers... Job offers are plentiful all year round, and seasonal positions are also in high demand throughout the summer.
Here are the 9 key positions most in demand in the foodservice sector:
1. Restaurant manager
A true orchestrator of the restaurant, the restaurant manager is everywhere. He is responsible for the overall management of the establishment, supervising staff, administrative, technical and human operations, and ensuring customer satisfaction to ensure the success and profitability of his establishment.
2. Chef de cuisine
The head chef is the keystone of the kitchen. He or she designs the menu, supervises the preparation of the dishes and ensures the quality of every plate that leaves the kitchen. Recruiting a talented and dynamic chef de cuisine is essential to the success of your restaurant.
3. Room manager
The Dining Room Manager oversees coordination between the kitchen and the dining room. He or she ensures that service flows smoothly, that tables are properly prepared and that customers are satisfied with their visit to the establishment.
4. Server
Waiters are the first faces customers see when they enter a restaurant. They create the first impression, direct customers to their tables and manage reservations. Waiters and waitresses take over to provide customer service. Their role goes far beyond taking orders and delivering food. They set the mood, suggest dishes and represent the image of your outlet.
5. Delivery boy
If your restaurant offers online ordering and delivery, you may need to recruit delivery personnel. The position of delivery driver in the restaurant industry requires availability at lunchtime and/or in the evening, with staggered working hours, including weekends and public holidays, which can make finding the right candidate a complex process.
👉 To find out more: 4 tips for recruiting catering delivery drivers
6. Barman
Receiving products, restocking the bar, preparing percolators, welcoming customers... The bartender's role is not limited to preparing cocktails and serving drinks to customers. The bartender also helps create the bar's ambience.
7. Kitchen clerks
Kitchen assistants are the little hands in the kitchen who prepare ingredients, chop vegetables and keep the kitchen clean and organized. Recruiting kitchen assistants is essential to the smooth running of the kitchen.
8. Diver
The role of the dishwasher is often underestimated, but it is essential in keeping the kitchen and dishes clean. A good dishwasher enables the whole team to function efficiently.
9. Pastry cook
The recruitment of a pastry chef in the restaurant business is a crucial task in guaranteeing the quality of the desserts offered in your restaurant. The pastry chef must master pastry-making techniques, be creative in devising new recipes and have an eye for detail to guarantee an exceptional gastronomic experience for customers.
Restaurant recruitment: how do you find staff?
In recent years, many restaurateurs have been faced with a major challenge: recruiting competent, reliable staff. Faced with a major shortage of skilled labor, professionals in the hotel and catering industry have to compete with each other in their ingenuity to recruit staff. So, where do you find restaurant staff? And how do you encourage candidates to apply?
Here are 3 solutions to facilitate recruitment in the restaurant industry:
1. Use online recruitment platforms
Online recruitment platforms have become essential tools for finding staff in the foodservice sector. Pôle emploi, Indeed, Brigad... Websites dedicated to restaurant employment allow you to post job vacancies, review candidates' CVs and contact them quickly. Be sure to create attractive job descriptions that highlight the benefits of working in your restaurant.
👉 Also read: 9 tips for recruiting restaurant staff
2. Promoting a positive working environment with the 4-day week
The image of your restaurant as an employer is crucial to attracting the right candidates. The 4-day week is a working model that involves reducing the working week from five to four days, generally by extending the daily working hours to maintain the weekly duration. The advantages are numerous, and we'll tell you more about them here!
3. Offer attractive benefits
To attract staff and keep them with you for as long as possible, it's important tooffer attractive benefits. Flexible working hours, training opportunities, salary upgrades, extra paid vacations, digitalization... Candidates are more likely to choose an employer who takes care of them and offers benefits in addition to a competitive salary.
Hospitality recruitment is a real challenge, but by understanding your needs, using the right resources, offering benefits and being flexible in your approach, you can go a long way towards overcoming the labor shortage. Never underestimate the importance of a strong team to the success of your business. Happy recruiting!
-
Did you like these tips? Don't hesitate to consult our other articles on our blog to help you develop your business!
Innovorder is the leader in digital solutions for commercial and institutional foodservice. Our team supports restaurateurs in their digital transformation with an all-in-one solution (cash register, kiosk, online ordering, KDS).
