As a restaurant owner, hiring the right servers can make or break your business. A great server can provide exceptional customer service, increase sales, and create a positive dining experience for your customers. However, finding the perfect fit for your team can be a daunting task.
In this article, we will explore the essential steps in hiring servers, from creating a job posting to conducting interviews. We will also provide tips on what to look for in a candidate and how to ensure they are a good fit for your restaurant. With these tips, you’ll be able to hire the best servers for your business and create a successful team.
Hiring servers for your business can be a daunting task. Here’s how to do it:
- Identify your staffing needs and create a job description.
- Advertise the job opening on relevant job boards and social media platforms.
- Screen applicants by reviewing resumes and conducting initial phone interviews.
- Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates and check their references.
- Select the best candidate and make an offer.
- Provide training and set expectations for job performance.
How to Hire Servers: A Comprehensive Guide
1. Determine Your Needs
Before you start hiring servers, it’s important to determine your needs. Consider the size of your event, the type of food and service you’ll be offering, and the number of guests you’re expecting. This will help you determine the number of servers you need and the skills they should possess.
Once you’ve determined your needs, create a job description that includes the required skills, experience, and responsibilities. Use this job description to advertise the position and attract qualified candidates.
2. Advertise the Position
There are several ways to advertise your server position. You can post the job on online job boards, social media, or your company website. You can also reach out to culinary schools or hospitality programs to find qualified candidates.
When advertising the position, be clear about the job requirements, salary range, and benefits. This will help you attract qualified candidates who are a good fit for your business.
3. Screen Candidates
Once you’ve received applications, it’s time to screen candidates. Look for candidates who possess the required skills and experience, as well as strong communication and customer service skills.
You can use phone or video interviews to screen candidates before inviting them for an in-person interview. This will help you save time and narrow down your candidate pool.
4. Conduct In-Person Interviews
When interviewing candidates in person, ask questions about their experience, skills, and availability. You can also ask scenario-based questions to assess their problem-solving skills and customer service abilities.
Consider conducting a skills test or a trial shift to see how candidates perform in a real-world setting. This will help you make an informed hiring decision.
5. Check References
Before making a job offer, check the candidate’s references. Contact their previous employers or supervisors to verify their employment history and performance.
Ask about the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, work ethic, and communication skills. This will help you ensure that you’re hiring a qualified and dependable server.
6. Make a Job Offer
Once you’ve found the right candidate, it’s time to make a job offer. Be clear about the job responsibilities, salary, and benefits. You can also discuss training and development opportunities to help the candidate grow in their role.
Give the candidate a reasonable amount of time to consider the job offer and make a decision. Once they’ve accepted the offer, provide them with a detailed job description and training plan.
7. Train Your Servers
Training your servers is essential to ensure that they provide excellent service to your guests. Provide them with a comprehensive training plan that covers the menu, service standards, and customer service skills.
Consider providing ongoing training and development opportunities to help your servers grow in their role. This will help you retain your staff and improve the quality of your service.
8. Provide Support and Feedback
Supporting and providing feedback to your servers is essential to help them improve their performance. Provide them with regular feedback on their performance and offer support when needed.
Consider creating a positive work environment that encourages teamwork and collaboration. This will help your servers feel valued and motivated to provide excellent service.
9. Evaluate Performance
Evaluating your servers’ performance is essential to ensure that they’re meeting your expectations. Use performance metrics and customer feedback to assess their performance and identify areas for improvement.
Provide your servers with constructive feedback and offer training and development opportunities to help them improve their performance. This will help you retain your staff and improve the quality of your service.
10. Retain Your Servers
Retaining your servers is essential to ensure that you have a stable and dependable staff. Offer competitive salaries and benefits, provide ongoing training and development opportunities, and create a positive work environment that encourages teamwork and collaboration.
Consider recognizing and rewarding your servers’ achievements and providing opportunities for growth and advancement. This will help you retain your staff and improve the quality of your service.
In conclusion, hiring servers requires careful planning, screening, and training. By following these steps, you can find qualified candidates who will provide excellent service to your guests and help your business succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about how to hire servers:
What qualifications should servers have?
When hiring servers, it’s important to consider their qualifications. Typically, servers should have experience in the food service industry. They should be knowledgeable about menu items and able to answer customer questions. Additionally, servers should have strong communication skills and be able to work well in a team environment.
It’s also important that servers have a positive attitude and provide excellent customer service. This can help to ensure that customers have a pleasant dining experience and are more likely to return in the future.
What should I look for during the hiring process?
When hiring servers, there are a few key things to look for. First, you should consider their experience and qualifications. Second, you should evaluate their communication skills and ability to work in a team environment. Finally, you should look for candidates who have a positive attitude and a commitment to providing excellent customer service.
During the hiring process, it can be helpful to ask candidates about their experience and how they would handle certain situations. This can give you a better sense of their qualifications and help you to make the best hiring decision.
How can I ensure that my servers provide excellent customer service?
Providing excellent customer service is essential for any restaurant, and it starts with hiring the right servers. Once you’ve hired your team, it’s important to provide them with training on how to provide excellent service. This can include teaching them about menu items, proper serving techniques, and how to handle customer complaints.
Additionally, it can be helpful to provide incentives for servers who provide exceptional service. This can help to motivate your team and ensure that they are always striving to provide the best possible service to customers.
What should I do if a server is not meeting expectations?
If a server is not meeting your expectations, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible. Start by having a conversation with the server and explaining your concerns. Be specific about what they need to improve and provide guidance on how to do so.
If the issue persists, you may need to consider taking disciplinary action, up to and including termination. However, it’s important to give the server a chance to improve before taking any drastic measures.
What role does teamwork play in hiring servers?
Teamwork is essential in any restaurant, and it’s important to consider this when hiring servers. Look for candidates who have experience working in a team environment and who are able to communicate effectively with others.
During the hiring process, it can be helpful to evaluate how candidates interact with others. This can give you a better sense of their ability to work as part of a team and provide excellent service to customers.
In conclusion, hiring servers can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be a smooth and rewarding process. The key is to define your needs clearly, screen candidates thoroughly, and provide adequate training. By doing so, you can ensure that your servers not only meet the expectations of your customers but also contribute to the success of your business. Remember to take the time to find the right people and invest in their development, as they are the face of your brand and can make all the difference in creating a positive customer experience.
Ultimately, it’s important to keep in mind that hiring servers is not just about finding people to fill a position but about building a team that shares your values and vision. Look for individuals who are passionate about hospitality, have a positive attitude, and are willing to go above and beyond to exceed customer expectations. By fostering a culture of excellence and providing a supportive environment, you can attract and retain top talent, which is crucial for the long-term success of your business.
In summary, hiring servers requires careful planning, thorough screening, and ongoing development. By following these steps and prioritizing the right qualities in your candidates, you can build a team of servers who are committed to delivering exceptional service and creating memorable experiences for your customers. With the right team in place, you can set your business up for success and stand out in a competitive market.