This example is from a multimillion dollar a year 24hr operation with over 40 employees and 50 tables. Depending on the type of restaurant you have you probably won’t have to run even 25% of these numbers. 24hr restaurants are the toughest to staff. What you can get from this Example Hiring Campaign are ideas for developing a structured system of hiring that produces predictable results for your specific business. Proper planning and consistent execution will take the frustration and anxiety out of the staffing issues, so you can focus on making your customers rave about your business.
This exact ad was reposted every 3-4wks from Jan.2007 to Jan.2008 on craigslist.org for ‘hospitality’ and ‘Toronto’, and brought in approx. 2200 resumes.
70-80% of the applicants were sent an email asking them to bring a copy of their resume, and inviting them to an interview from 5am-7am on Mon or Wed mornings because this time was when the nightly cleaning and restocking was done, and when the restaurant was nearly empty.
Approx 25% (that’s approx. 30-35/mth) of those invited showed up to be interviewed. Interviews lasted 1-10mins each.
10%-20% of those interviewed were hired. Everyone interviewed were told that if no call back was given within two days, then their resume was getting filed for future reference. Almost no one was ever hired on the spot; new hires were usually called the next day.
Those hired were given about 5pages of information regarding their 1st shift by email.
1/3 of new hires did not show up for 1st training shift. Those that showed up signed a 12page company policy and rules waiver. After each training shift, new handouts were given to prepare for the next training shifts.
1/3 of new trainees did not complete the 4 training shifts, or did not complete w/ satisfactory results.
1/3 of new trainees that made it through the process were incredible and well rounded/ interchangeable in regards to positions within the restaurant. Training shifts were always with the best staff and during the busiest periods. Everyone went through the exact experience.
They all had completed one physically grueling bussing, dishwashing, cleaning, restocking shift,
second and third shifts were used to learn to make all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks,
and the fourth was used to learn how to properly serve tables.
Here’s the actual ad:
SERVERS WANTED for a crazy, fun, 24hr, café, restaurant, bar (drinks till 1:45am only) in a three-storey old Victorian building.
EXPERIENCE: Preferred, but will train ALL new staff regardless of experience.
FOR: (ABC COMPANY), a three floor/ 50 table restaurant/bar (the bar is NOT 24hrs!!!) that is opened 24hrs with approx. 40+ staff with a 17yr. history located at (BLANK ST.W) [just south of (BLANK)/ just west of (BLANK) on (BLANK)].
Check out: www.(ABC).com
Note from Management: The goal of this ad is not to scare people or make the job seem impossible and negative. It is to give an honest offering of what one will experience, make in money and the time commitment. We want to be clear, so that you don’t waste your time sending in a resume to a place that requires something of you that you may not want to do. Ex. Tons and tons of cleaning on top of server/bar duties.
Please do not re-apply if you have done so in the past. We have filed your resume. Thank you.
Please do not call about this ad, or hand in a resume at the restaurant.
Please email your resume only in a Microsoft Word document or Adobe PDF form.
APPROX. PAY: $6.95/hr (Server Min. Wage) PLUS pooled tips. The averages inc.tips and wages are below.
Day time Avgs: approx. $20-$50 in tips.
Approx. $10-$13/hr.
Night time and Overnights Avgs: approx. $50-$150 in tips.
Approx. $16-$18-$22/hr.
Shifts are varied in length, difficulty and money. Less difficulty, less money.
Shifts are 8-12hrs. long.
Shifts are given based on each past week’s performance, NOT seniority.
You will never be given a shift that you cannot handle yet.
There is No Status at (ABC Company) - Managers, Servers, Bartenders, Bussers all do jobs interchangeably. Sometimes Servers & Bartenders do bussing shifts. It’s the same money.
MOST IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED:
1 Willingness to work relentlessly, because the pace here requires it.
2 Willingness to work varying shifts because we are open 24hrs.
3 Willingness to learn and follow the (ABC) system, regardless of the serving/ restaurant methods and habits you are used to.
4 Possessing a friendly and positive attitude. This is key anywhere.
5 Willingness to do a LOT of cleaning. We are FANATICAL about cleaning. EVERY TYPE of cleaning possible in a 24hrs. restaurant/ bar/ café.
6 A great attitude towards your customers, work, co-workers and management. At 8am or 5am? Yes.
Attitude mentioned twice? YES.
7 Being on time.
TRAINING PERIOD: 4 training shifts.
Training shifts will occur in these usually timeframes:
8pm-7am/ 8pm-6am/ 9pm-6am/ 10pm-6am/ 5pm-3am, unless otherwise scheduled.
BENEFICIAL DIFFERENCE FOR SERVERS WORKING AT (ABC COMPANY):
1 Consistent money because we are constantly busy, and have been lucky enough to have the broadest range of customers you have ever seen in a restaurant.
2 Don’t have split shifts where you have to work a few hours, and then punch out for a few hours, then punch back in to work for a few more hours.
3 When you come for your scheduled shift and it is slow, you are not made to not punch in until it is busy like other restaurants.
Unless it is ‘watching grass grow’ slow.
4 In 9 out of 10 times you will never be cut early in a shift because we are 24hrs, and our rushes are spread out and each staff has 2.5hrs. min. of cleaning duties even if there are still customers present.
5 THE MOST FLEXIBILITY IN SCHEDULING. Give us two weeks notice, and the dates you want off are done. Switch shifts with others whenever possible.
6 Prime shifts are given based on performance and attitude. There is NO seniority. Who has the best attitude towards customers, co-workers, and management? Who can do the most volume efficiently and correctly? Who can get their non-server duties done efficiently and without fuss? Who has consistent attitude and work habits?
WHAT TO DO NEXT? Email your resume to: (info@abc.com)
Please include an intro in your email with the following information:
1 from which ad are you responding from
2 state the position you are applying for
Also:
Do you have your Smart Serve Certification?
Do you live too far from a 24hr workplace? Do you really want to ride on public transit at 9am in the morning or at 11pm at night?
Please have your resume as an attached MS WORD document or a PDF and not within the body of the email or attached as a different file type.
If you are NOT emailed within a week, then your resume will be filed for future reference. Thank you.
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Contributor's Note
Restaurant Related post#3
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This intel first appeared on: http://www.restaurantjobboard.com/blog/
