There’s no doubt that owning and operating a restaurant is hard work. With how hectic the industry is, hiring staff for a restaurant often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. But it’s important to remember that your employees are your strongest asset. They are the face of your brand and play a big part in how successful your business is.

Creating a strategy for hiring restaurant employees can take a large time investment. By putting the time in now, you’ll gain a better understanding of what your ideal employee looks like, saving you time and money. What should you look for in a restaurant employee? You’re about to find out. This article will outline the top 4 things to look for when hiring staff for a restaurant.

1. A Little Empathy Goes a Long Way

Empathetic people have an easier time building rapport and connection with others. Now doesn’t that sound like someone you’d want working in your restaurant? For the front of house and kitchen staff, being able to look at things from the customer’s perspective is critical. Connecting with customers on a personal level builds the reputation of your brand.

How can you tell if someone has empathy? An easy place to start is during the interview. When hiring restaurant employees, ask them a question such as, “Tell me a story about the last time you connected with a stranger.” Based on their answer, you’ll learn a lot about their level of empathy and how they interact with people.

2. Calling All Team Players

In any job where you work directly with the public, it’s only a matter of time until you’ll need some help. Working in a restaurant is a team sport. You want your employees to be able to support each other so your guests get the best experience. How can you be sure you are hiring restaurant staff that are team players?

An easy exercise is to hold a group interview. Have your prospective candidates work together to complete a task. When the dinner rush hits, you’ll want employees to work together to share the pressure and create efficiencies.

3. Multitasking is Key

When’s the last time you’ve seen a restaurant employee, not multitasking? For example, a server needs to be able to explain your specials while thinking of potential up-sell opportunities. That’s just one example out of all of the other countless multitasking opportunities that can happen.

If you’re hiring restaurant employees, you’ll want to check their multitasking ability. Employees that can multitask tend to be more efficient and better under pressure. That means faster table turnover without sacrificing the customer experience.

4. Commitment to Quality

For some employees, the quality of their work drops when things get too busy or challenging. For restaurants, that can’t happen. When hiring staff for your restaurant, look for people who pay attention to detail and provide excellent service. You’re looking for a commitment to quality.

With a restaurant, your customer’s health and safety are in your employee’s hands. You want to make sure they will do things the right way, even under stress. This trait isn’t something you can just teach, which is why it’s important to look for it in potential employees.

You’re never going to hire the perfect staff, but knowing the essentials to look for can help increase profitability and decrease costly employee turnover.

Hiring Restaurant Employees? We Know What to Look For

Now that you know where to start when it comes to hiring staff for your restaurant, discover the benefits of partnering with a staffing agency can deliver. Our team will work with you to come up with the most effective staffing solution for your restaurant. Contact us today to see why we’re the right solution for your business.