The food service industry is one of the most vibrant industries in the world. It not only provides essential sustenance for millions of people, but it also generates billions of dollars in revenue for businesses. As the industry continues to expand and evolve, so too does the need for talented workers. From executive chefs to line cooks and from wait staff to dishwashers, the demand for food service talent is greater than ever before. To remain competitive in this rapidly changing landscape, businesses must be able to attract, retain, and develop the best and brightest food service professionals. In this blog post, we will examine the current state of the food service industry and its demand for top talent, as well as discuss the strategies businesses can employ to remain at the top of the food chain.
Tips for finding great food service jobs
There are a few ways you can land great jobs in the food and beverage industry if you’re looking for employment at an organization that values the experience of its employees—especially now that demand is high.
There are a few ways to look for excellent food service jobs that are open right now:
1. Do your research
You can also find the business’s Work Happiness Score under the “Snapshot” section, which rates a business on 15 factors related to work happiness. If they have updated their COVID-19 offerings, you can also check their company website’s “about us” or equivalent page to learn more about their values.
2. Filter your Indeed job search results
It’s possible that many businesses, unlike McDonald’s or Chipotle, have increased wages or added benefits without making headlines. Filter your search results by salary to find employment opportunities that meet your pay requirements and find jobs offering a specific salary amount.
3. Use your network
You can find good restaurants that may have current openings by reaching out to your network of friends, family, mentors, former coworkers, or even teachers. Referrals are a common source of job offers since employers prefer to work with candidates who have a good chance of succeeding.
4. Prepare for your interview
When asked which of the following interview questions he prefers to use, Shine responded:
1. What aspects of your previous or present employment have proven to be the most difficult?
2. How did you overcome a professional challenge you faced, please?
3. Share why you’d be a good fit for this position.
4. Define “hospitality” in your own words
Additionally, he stated that he seeks candidates with “a proven track record with a reputable restaurant, calm and confident in presentation,” as well as those who “recognize the value and the must-haves to great guest hospitality.” ”.
Ways some restaurants are evolving to attract talent
Many restaurants are making changes to support talent shortages, whether you’re a long-time seasoned food service professional or looking for restaurant jobs for the first time. Here are three ways some restaurants are evolving:
Better working conditions
Working in the food and beverage industry presents unique challenges that make the work physically and mentally taxing both during and before the onset of the novel coronavirus. It can be challenging to work on your feet for long hours, deal with difficult customers, and keep up with the lunch and dinner rush; many of these jobs pay poorly and offer few benefits.
You may have faced all of the aforementioned difficulties as a member of the food service industry during the pandemic, in addition to enforcing mask laws and other safety regulations and accidentally coming into contact with the virus while working near customers and other employees. Many restaurants are aware of these difficulties and work to lighten the load on their staff. For instance, Mike Shine of Frank’s Houston claims, “We adhere to local, state, and federal COVID protocols, including masks for staff and complete sanitation of all work and service areas. We assist staff with scheduling vaccinations and perform regular testing as necessary. ”.
“I gave my salaried staff three weeks off and paid full salaries when conditions deteriorated last spring.” It put the idea of work-life balance into perspective. In the past, it was anticipated that we would all put in 50 to 60 hours per week. Now, we’re moving toward 40 hours a week consistently. I would much rather have healthy people looking out for my best interests, those of our guests, and those of the entire staff. I don’t want people to be stressed out or exhausted from trying to get home to walk their dog. People need time to go outside and take a walk. ”.
It’s nice to have two days off a week, so I’m down with this way of life now. It becomes hard to take away once you have it. Even though we’re busier, I told my team, we still need to make smarter decisions to maintain our focus on work-life balance. ”.
Keeping a positive, healthy work environment is crucial for businesses, according to New York City hospitality consultant Beatrice Stein. “Restaurant work is a really hard job, and if you aren’t being treated well in one environment there are a million other restaurants you can go work in,” she said. ”.
Better pay and benefits
Offering higher pay, sign-on bonuses, starting incentives, and better benefits is one of the main strategies restaurants use to entice talent. Cheng explains, “When it comes to wages, things are evolving. Businesses are now paying more because they are in such a desperate situation. It’s the only lever they can pull. ”.
Opportunities for people with little or no experience
Restaurants may be willing to hire individuals with little to no experience in order to train them since they need staff immediately. If you’re a student looking for extra money, additional side income, or are just looking to break into the food service industry, this is a fantastic opportunity for you.
The Drake Restaurant’s owner, Ted Swigert, explains, “We’ve broken our hiring template.” We’re looking for people that we can develop. I look for something on their resume that demonstrates their capacity for tackling difficult tasks. ”.
In-demand food and beverage jobs
Ten of the most popular food service jobs advertised by employers on Indeed between May 2020 and April 2021 are listed below:
Food service industry is seeing more demand than pre-pandemic: Restaurateur Danny Meyer
FAQ
What is the best job in the food industry?
- Sous chef. National average salary: $50,239 per year. …
- Dietitian. National average salary: $50,363 per year. …
- Sommelier. National average salary: $51,137 per year. …
- Restaurant manager. …
- Director of dining services. …
- Head chef. …
- Restaurant owner. …
- Food service manager.
What skills are needed in the food service industry?
- Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control.
- Ability to follow routine verbal and written instructions.
- Ability to read and write.
- Ability to understand and follow safety procedures.
- Ability to safely use cleaning equipment and supplies.
What are 5 careers in the food industry?
- Baker.
- Banquet manager.
- Bartender.
- Beverage manager.
- Broiler cook.
- Bus person.
- Catering manager.
- Counter server.
What are the opportunities in food service?
The food industry offers opportunities in the form of eateries, cafes, grocery stores, delivery services, catering, and vending machines. 3. Because there is such a high demand for food businesses, the market has become very competitive.
