The struggle can be real when it comes to recruiting the right people onto your team. It can impact everything from your bar’s efficiency to its bottom line. Discover the secret to attracting great staff who share your business's culture and values with expert tips for:

• Writing job descriptions
• Interviewing candidates
• Retaining staff
• Plus, much more

When writing a job post, think of ways to attract quality over quantity when it comes to staff. Ideally, you want your job advert to appeal to someone who’d be a great fit for your team and will put off others who don’t make the cut.

Non-verbal cues can also be helpful to take note of during interviews. Did your interviewee arrive on time? Did they tuck their chair back under the table? Small moments like this will give you an indication of whether they have the common courtesy skills they need to be an efficient and positive team member. 

To find out whether candidates are the best possible fit, the typical hospitality job interview questions are generally geared towards understanding if the candidate’s personality is a good match. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the right approach as candidates will usually only show their best qualities (a little like a first date).

Here are some alternative ideas to help you carry out a successful interview: 

• Set a hypothetical problem-solving challenge – Ask the interview candidates to solve the business-related problem in small groups and assess how they work together. 
• Use role-play exercises – Offer candidates roles in example hospitality scenarios and situational tests like a guest complaint to look at their interpersonal skills, communication style, and adaptability.   
• Set a small project task – Give the candidate a small project, for example, a review of local competitors, and ask them to submit the results post-interview to understand their proactiveness and industry awareness.  
• Invite them to do a trial shift – Help you, the candidate, and your team see how well they work together and if they fit your culture and values well. 

Offering employee benefits can help your staff to feel valued, thrive, and improve employee retention. For example:  

• Offer competitive rates of pay benchmarked against other local hospitality operators and other local non-hospitality employment options.    
• Offer competitive, achievable bonuses to keep staff motivated and performing well.      
• Offer a benefits package in addition to your financial package; consider staff discounts, reimbursement of travel costs, or other indirect rewards that make you more attractive as an employer.     
• Consider staff wellbeing and benefits like complimentary gym memberships and consider flexible working options and employees' work-life balance within your staffing hours.     
• Offer team-building activities to help staff connect and bond outside their working environment.  
• Stagger benefits for new starters that kick in after specific periods of employment, creating an added incentive for new starters to become long-term employees.  

• Have a recruitment plan – A well-crafted recruitment strategy can reduce staff turnover and attract long-term candidates who align with your company's culture and values.  
• Quality over quantity – Instead of aiming for a high volume of applicants, focus on attracting the best-quality candidates who fit your culture.   
• Online presence matters – Maintain an active online presence, especially on platforms like LinkedIn and social media, to showcase your company's culture.  
• Effective interview techniques – Traditional interviews may not always reveal a candidate's true personality. Consider group interviews to observe how candidates interact with others.  
• Great onboarding – A positive onboarding experience is crucial for integrating new employees successfully. Provide clear information, assign a buddy, and offer training and regular check-ins.

Stay one step ahead with industry insights, tips, and innovative approaches to bar management when you sign up for the Diageo Bar Academy.