5 ways to make your hospitality venue attractive to job-seekers

If you’re a hospitality business owner, you’ll be no stranger to the staffing crisis that’s hit many cafes, restaurants and tourism venues in the past few years. But the fact remains: you need workers in your venue! So how do you make it a place that’s attractive to job-seekers?

We’re glad you asked, because we’ve got five great strategies to help you fill your hospitality jobs with the right people. Let’s go!

1. Be flexible

Hospitality venues that enable workers to easily swap or change shifts are always going to be more attractive to job-seekers. Simply because you’re giving your staff some autonomy and showing that you support their work/life balance.

It’s a much more attractive perk than venues who offer set or limited hours and make it difficult for staff to make any changes.

2. Pay decent rates

When it’s difficult to find staff, it’s doubly important for your rates to be competitive. And if you can pay above award rates, you’re much more likely to attract staff.

Paying fair and competitive rates and being transparent about pay and benefits can only present your venue in a positive light. If you’re not sure what to pay your staff, talk to one of our job consultants or check out the award rates on the Fairwork website.

3. Put great benefits in place

If you’re only able to afford award rates but want to offer other benefits to job-seekers, think about what kinds of recruitment and retention incentives that’d be the most valuable to potential applicants. What products or services do you offer that could be used as perks?

Discounted or free meals, family discounts, VIP experiences, complimentary admission to entertainment venues, or paid days off for your staff’s birthdays can all appeal to job-seekers. Make sure you highlight any perks or benefits you’re including in your job ads.

4. Offer a career path

Although many job-seekers opt to work in hospitality jobs on the way to another industry, there are increasing numbers of workers who are choosing hospitality careers. And why not? These types of jobs offers flexibility, transferrable skills and the chance to work all over the world.

If you’re able to demonstrate a solid career path for job-seekers at your venue, and a way for them to quickly move up the ranks (and earn more!), that’ll certainly be attractive.

5. Sell your positive culture

Make sure your socials (Instagram or Facebook especially) show a warm, welcoming, inclusive workplace environment (with selfies if your team will go for it!). Because chances are, potential applicants are going to check out your socials for intel before they apply – and to get a sense of what it might be like to work for you.

When interviewing, you could also talk to candidates about what you do as a business to bring new staff into the fold – perhaps with social events, dinners out or team-building activities.

Getting professional support from your local hospitality recruitment specialist

It’s a tricky market out there right now, especially when it comes to filling hospitality jobs – and sometimes you need to put your recruitment needs in the hands of the professionals.

Plus, job consultants have wide-ranging networks, the skills to write job ads that gets results – and the ability to screen and interview applicants so you get the right people on board, fast. Of course, this all leaves you free to run your business. Get in touch if we can help!