Hiring Restaurant Staff

A new staff member has the best chance of becoming a reliable asset to your business when they are given clear information and a thorough introduction to their position from the beginning. New employees who are left to fend for themselves will form inefficient habits and may end up costing you time and money through mistakes, poor service and the need to re-hire when they quit prematurely. As an owner/ manager you have the opportunity and the responsibility to make sure that when you are hiring restaurant staff you have the procedures in place to ensure the best possible outcome for everyone.

Have a consistent procedure in place for hiring restaurant staff

There are some very simple procedures you can use for hiring new employees which, once they are established, will make the process consistent and straightforward.

Creating a manual for your restaurant is one of the most useful and effective management strategies there is. Creating a well written restaurant manual is not hard to do, and it means that whenever you need to address an issue with a staff member, you have a document to back you up. Employees can never claim not to have known something if they have been given your expectations in writing. Of course a restaurant manual is actually there to support the team and, if written well, can be a useful resource for everyone. A great way to build up a manual can be to keep track of the kinds of questions your staff come to you with repeatedly, and create entries in the manual to cover these issues.

Walking through a well written manual with a new employee is the best way to communicate that you expect accountability from your staff. It is also a great opportunity to clarify basic requirements regarding issues like appearance and other standards you wish to maintain. New employees can be directed to the relevant section in the manual for a breakdown of this basic but essential information.

Another effective tool for successfully hiring restaurant staff is the letter of employment. This is your chance to spell out personally and explicitly to your new employee what their role requires. You should ensure that it has been read and understood, and that you keep a signed copy on file.

Neither of these measures means you have to rule your restaurant with an iron fist. On the contrary; they are a way of ensuring communication between you and your team. When everybody is on the same page and expectations are clear, your staff will be more comfortable. They will also be more likely to come to you with problems before they get out of hand.

Every time you are hiring restaurant staff you have the opportunity to create the business you want. It’s much harder to break a habit than to create one, so take the time to ensure your staff have the best chance of getting it right from their first day on the job.

For more restaurant management strategies and hints about hiring restaurant staff visit http://www.hospitalitycoaching.com Hospitality industry consultants.