Hiring for Attitude – With Proper Hospitality Selection and Training You Can Turn Diamonds in the Rough into Sparkling Jewels

Brian Stokes is director of human resources and operations at Peas & Carrots Hospitality, a chef-owned independent restaurant group, with two concepts in Chicago and eight in Detroit. "It's slim pickings out there for people with experience," says Stokes. While Stokes prefers prior hospitality experience and training, his team values attitude over skills that can be taught. "If you have a great attitude and a good work ethic, we'll teach you how to cook," he explains. "We're finding some great diamonds in the rough.”

Smarter hiring and training can help you overcome some of the challenges of the hospitality labor market. You might take note of these pointers:

Peas in a pod. Employee referrals tend to work because people want to work with their pals. They can be some your best hires when the recommendations come from strong employees whose friends share their attitude and work ethic. Consider providing bonuses to staff who recommend successful new hires.

You can’t teach employees to smile. They have to smile before you hire them.
– Arte Nathan

Skills can be taught. No concept or menu is identical. Proper training and onboarding are critical to successful restaurant operations, regardless of the new hire’s previous experience. Experience is valuable, but a restaurant industry novice with curiosity and willingness to learn can get up to speed with training faster than someone who has worked in the business but is not open to learning the way you do things. Employees who crave new challenges can be cross trained, which can be a boon to keeping the business humming during scheduling hiccups, such as a staff member who calls in sick.

Both guests and staff appreciate the personal touch. It’s one thing to find and train good employees and quite another to keep them. People who enjoy serving others appreciate being served. Owners and managers can build loyalty and job satisfaction with regular one-on-one meetings with employees. Not only are these meetings opportunities to show staff appreciation and support, but also opportunities to gather ideas on how to improve the menu and service. Your staff are on the front line of the business. Their observations and ideas can be invaluable.

For more hospitality hiring and training best practices in restaurant operations, check out our comprehensive course The Key To Attracting & Hiring the Very Best Candidates in Your Area and watch our webinar Tools, Tips, and Techniques for Finding, Hiring, and Retaining Top Talent.

Have a profitable week!

The RestaurantOwner.com Team