As the festive season approaches, the catering industry is set to experience a surge in demand. From bustling coffee shops to high-end restaurants, businesses are on the lookout for talented individuals to fill a variety of roles. Whether you’re looking for catering jobs or seeking to bolster your team, understanding the dynamics of seasonal hiring is crucial. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the challenges you may encounter, and offer practical advice for both jobseekers and employers.
Challenges with Seasonal Recruitment in the Catering Industry
The catering industry is a dynamic and fast-paced environment. It’s an industry that’s always in need of workers, from kitchen porters and runners to chefs and managers. However, the seasonal nature of the business presents unique challenges.
For employers, the biggest challenge is finding and retaining staff. The hospitality industry is known for having one of the highest turnover rates of the global working force. And that’s not exclusive to London or the UK, it’s pretty much a global phenomenon. This high turnover rate is often due to the seasonal nature of the work, with many employees leaving after the busy period ends.
For jobseekers, the challenge lies in finding stable, long-term employment. Many catering jobs are seasonal or part-time, making it difficult for individuals seeking full-time, permanent positions.
For employers, the high turnover rate means there’s always a need for quality candidates and the competition for staff increases significantly during the festive seasons.
Practical Advice for Jobseekers
If you’re a jobseeker looking for jobs in catering and hospitality, here are some tips to help you stand out:
1. Highlight Relevant Skills
Whether you’re applying for a barista, or chef position, highlight your relevant skills and how you can hit the floor running and make a difference straightaway. For example, if you’re applying for a barista position at a coffee shop, highlight your coffee expertise, your customer service skills and your ability to work under pressure.
2. Be Flexible
Many catering jobs require working during peak hours, weekends, and holidays. Showing flexibility in your availability will make you a more attractive candidate.
3. Show Enthusiasm
Employers value candidates who are passionate about their work. Show your enthusiasm for the industry and the role in question in your application and during interviews.
Practical Advice for Employers
For employers, here are some strategies to attract and retain quality staff:
1. Offer Competitive Wages and Benefits
Offering competitive wages and benefits can help attract quality staff. Consider offering perks like meal discounts, flexible schedules, and opportunities for advancement.
Employers that understand that the candidate they have in front of them will be speaking with another potential employer that same day or the day after, will make sure their offer beats their competitor’s.
2. Provide Training
Providing training can help reduce turnover and improve service quality. Training should cover job-specific skills, customer service, and health and safety regulations. It’s easy to skip training when recruiting cover for festive seasons or other reasons, but lack of training can do more damage than good. It’s a good recipe for disaster, to offer less than the competition and skip on training – you’ll probably recruit the candidates that most need that training.
3. Promote from Within
Promoting from within can boost morale and encourage staff to stay. Consider implementing a clear career progression plan to show staff they have a future with your company. Promotion from within boosts the morale of the staff being promoted and the staff that is being trained and can see the opportunities lying ahead.
Conclusion
The catering industry presents unique challenges for both jobseekers and employers. By understanding the industry’s dynamics and implementing effective strategies, jobseekers can find rewarding employment and employers can attract and retain quality staff.
At Marshall Agency, we understand the unique needs of the catering industry. Whether you’re a jobseeker looking for your next opportunity or an employer seeking quality staff, we’re here to help. With our extensive network and industry expertise, we can help you navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities in the catering industry.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve your goals.
