Spring has sprung and if you’re not thinking about hiring now, here’s why you should be.
Spring is in the air! We’re just about a week into the season and already the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and people are out walking the streets happily recovering from vitamin D deficiency. The busy season is upon us, and considering February’s record low unemployment rate, you need to get a head start on staffing. While swimming pools are about to open, the hiring pool has shrinkage. (Shrinkage, Jerry!) So if you’re thinking it’s too early to start staffing up, you’re dead wrong. Here’s why you should start hiring now.
Patio Season
Sun-loving people flock to restaurants with outdoor seating like herds of crazed animals – which is good If you’ve got a patio because you’re going to get busy. But patios require preparation and staffing is one of the most important parts. Opening a patio means expanding your square footage and the amount of people you can seat. This means not just more covers, but more tickets hitting your kitchen all at the same time. In order to give the best service, you need to have enough employees to cover the additional seating so your current staff isn’t frantically running around tiring themselves out.
Tourist Season
Spring Break started last Friday, which means tourist season has already begun. In addition to families and college students taking vacations, the Spring and Summer usually bring in tourism from big events like conferences, festivals and weddings. The food and beverage industry contributes a lot to the culture of any city, so tourists will be looking to explore a city through its dining scene and nightlife. This means you’re going to experience additional business with bigger groups and unpredictable rushes.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. unemployment rate hit a record low at 3.8%
Employee Time-Off
I know it sounds crazy, but sometimes even restaurant people need to take a vacation or even just an extra day off to enjoy the sun, take a hike or have a few at the local watering hole. Whatever the reason, you will likely experience more requested time off or employees swapping shifts around. To keep your peace of mind and to keep your staff happy — it helps to hire a few extra hands, even just for temporary work.
Low Unemployment
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. unemployment rate hit a record low at 3.8%. While it’s good that people are employed, it does mean that the hiring pool is scarce right now. This is why it’s extremely important to get a head start and begin hiring now. You will have more time to find quality candidates and make sure you have a full staff heading into the peak season up to speed and ready to go.
There is good news though. The coming of summer will bring more college students looking for summer jobs and the food and beverage industry has long been a source of employment for students. This is the best time to start pulling together any hiring material necessary, including a job ad. Make sure to include all the important details like: business bio, pay, benefits and what would make a successful candidate. Thinking and acting on hiring now will ensure that you can have a smooth, fun, and busy Spring and Summer season.