How to Attract Great Candidates

"How do I attract and hire the best people?" is a very common question among hospitality HR professionals.

Finding the perfect talent can be challenging and may take some time. Here are some ways you can attract the best of the best:

#1: Recruit based on attitude, instead of skills.

When hiring, look for candidates that have a good personality, rather than exceptional skill. It's actually harder to teach a person how to be personable than to teach someone technical skills. Consider hiring a person that is willing to start at a lower position, who you could then train him/her for a greater role within the company. That way, he/she can see that there is opportunity to grow career-wise and see their work being valued in the business.

#2: Find candidates by networking.

Don't limit yourself to just those who applied to your job post. Search elsewhere and through other means, like using our Search and Connect feature. You're bound to find other great candidates that meet your requirements within our vast network of 180,000+ users. Add members to your Talent Pool and invite them to submit their applications.

#3: Promote from within the company.

During the recruitment process, inform candidates that your business looks to promote entry-level staffers to higher positions. That way, job seekers know that their efforts put in the company will be rewarded. In addition, this strategy will keep employees motivated to work harder.

#4: Company culture is essential.

Attract candidates with the amazing company culture that you've built. Express that your company is a great workplace, and provide supportive words like how everybody is a team player and the business appreciates and listens to the feedback from staff.

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Romantic Hotspots That Are Hiring in NYC & LA

Valentine's Day is a huge business day for the restaurant and hospitality industry. According to the National Restaurant Association, it ranks as the second most popular dining holiday of the year, trailing just behind Mother's Day. Nearly 25% of Americans are expected to eat out this upcoming weekend. Here are some romantic hotspots from both the East and West Coast that are holding Valentine's Day events, and are hiring at the moment:

NEW YORK

LOCANDA VERDE

Italian food is a Valentine's Day favorite for couples, so Locanda Verde will surely be a crowdpleaser. The TriBeCa Italian restaurant, founded by famed actor Robert DeNiro and NYC restauranteur Andrew Carmellini, is offering a $95 three-course prix fixe menu for Sunday. Guests will be treated to delights like, terrina di foie gras, porchetta and more.

Locanda Verde is currently staffing for several front-of-house and back-of-house positions, including Host/Hostess, Bartender, Line Cook and others.

NARCISSA

Narcissa, an inviting and romantic space adjacent to The Standard East Village, is a great NYC venue for Valentine's Day dinner. Executive Chef John Fraser, Chef de Cuisine Cruz Goler and Pastry Chef Deborah Racicot will be leading the kitchen on the Valentine's Day evening service, where diners can enjoy a fresh and seasonal, farm-to-table three dish meal for $85.

Apply to become a part of Narcissa's BOH team – Line Cook, Pastry Cook, Sous Chef and Overnight Cook.

LOS ANGELES

TERRINE

French cuisine is an excellent choice for Valentine's Day. Couples in LA looking for a lovely French meal will not be disappointed with Terrine, a brasserie located on Beverly Grove. Chef Kris Morningstar will be dishing out French classics like, lobster tian and chocolate terrine, throughout the day.

Take a look at Terrine's job openings for Reservationist, Dishwasher/Porter and Line Cook.

WOLFGANG PUCK AT HOTEL BEL-AIR

If you want to impress your significant other with an unforgettable dining experience, look no further than Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air. Head Chef Hugo Bolanos crafted special Valentine's Day brunch and dinner menus, which feature Dover Sole, sea bass, chocolate whiskey cake and more, for the occasion.

Interested in working at Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air? They're looking to hire a Host/Hostess, Busser, Executive Sous Chef and more.

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3 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Lie in a Job Interview

George Washington never told a lie, and it's a good practice to keep in mind during a job interview. Honesty is a key trait that employers look for in employees. Here are reasons why you should only speak the truth when meeting with a hiring manager:

#1: Background checks may come back to hurt to you.

Employers will check up on you after the initial interview. They may possibly contact your previous employers and references. You definitely do not want to be caught lying about your professional history. Instead be honest, and explain any past situations if asked.

#2: You won't do well on the job.

Let's say you do get the job. If you were hired based on the skills you don't actually have, it's only a matter of time before your employer will know the truth. You won't be able to accomplish anything at work, and it can lead to termination. Be as truthful as possible when discussing your abilities. If you believe you are weak in one area, talk about how you would like additional training in order to strengthen your weaknesses.

#3: Dishonesty ruins your reputation.

Dishonesty not only hurts your current situation, it won't be good for you in the future either. Word travels fast in the restaurant and hospitality circle; the industry is small and hiring managers are very well connected. It's not a good idea to leave him/her with a bad experience.

Remember, honesty is the best policy! Mark Twain even once said, "If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything."

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How to Ask Someone for a Job Reference

Professional job references are essential when looking for a new job. Not only are they great additions to your Harri profile, they will boost your job search efforts by having trusted recommendations. There is a proper etiquette for asking and receiving references.

#1: Ask beforehand.

Be mindful that the person you are asking to vouch for you as a professional may be busy, so ask beforehand. That doesn't mean just the day prior. You should find possible references way in advance, even before your actual job hunt.

#2: Be sure to have options.

There is no guarantee that your first choice can provide you a reference, so gather at least three other names. Remember to get permission from all of them first before you put them down on your profile/job application. In addition, don't forget to choose wisely of who you want as your reference. It is common for previous employers, former colleagues, etc. to be your references. Try your best to select those you know will most likely give you a positive recommendation.

#3: Record information and details accurately.

Make sure you take down your references' full names, contact information, as well as titles, without mistakes. Do stay in contact with your reference via email, phone or through a professional network, especially during the job hunt.

#4: Thank and follow up with your references.

After your reference agrees to help you, send them a thank you note. The best way to do so is with a handwritten card, but a sincere email is also acceptable. Update them on the outcome, as they would be interested on the status too. Following up is a way you can maintain a long-term relationship with your reference.

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Restaurant Industry Added 47K Jobs in January

Hiring in America slowed down in January, with government data released Friday showing the economy added 151,000 jobs — less than the blockbuster growth of recent months but enough to keep the recovery on solid ground.

The data also showed a 2.5 percent spike in wages over the past year, an encouraging sign that the strength in the labor market might finally be translating into bigger paychecks. The unemployment rate also dipped to 4.9 percent, inching closer to what many economists believe is its lowest sustainable level.

Investors and policymakers are seeking reassurance on the health of the American recovery after the turmoil in global financial markets at the start of the year. Expectations for world economic growth have dimmed, and fears are rising that weakness overseas — particularly in China — could spill over onto U.S. shores.

But Richard Moody, chief economist at Regions Financial Corp., said January’s job growth indicates the slow and steady expansion since the Great Recession remains on track.

“The economy continues to muddle along, even though now and again it’s prone to a misstep,” he said.

Wall Street opened lower on the news Friday. The Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index dropped about 11 points in the first few minutes of trading, about 0.6 percent. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 54 points, or about 0.3 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq dropped 33 points, or 0.7 percent.

In the final months of 2015, the labor market was roaring, adding an average of 279,000 jobs each month, the fastest pace of the year. Employers went on the hiring spree even as the broader economy slowed to a crawl, dragged down by weak exports and a dropoff in business investment.

But many analysts believe that blockbuster pace is not sustainable. Though January’s job growth fell below Wall Street expectations, economists said a more modest pace was inevitable.

“Amid all the global economic turmoil and domestic market gyrations … [the data] show the U.S. is heading in the right direction,” said Beth Ann Bovino, U.S. chief economist at Standard & Poor’s Rating Service.

Once again, the retail, restaurant and health-care sectors showed the biggest job gains. Retailers added 58,000 jobs in January, while restaurants and bars hired 47,000. The health-care sector expanded by 37,000 positions.

Manufacturing delivered the biggest surprise, adding 29,000 jobs after almost no change during 2015. The industry has been hammered as a stronger dollar dampens international demand for U.S. goods, and plunging oil prices led to mass layoffs. The transportation sector shed 20,000 jobs in January after strong seasonal hiring the previous month.

But the data showed little change for several of the most distressed corners of the job market. About 2.1 million people have been out of work for six months or longer, about the same number as in June. Another 6 million have part-time jobs but would prefer full-time work. Hundreds of thousands have become so discouraged by their job prospects that they’ve stopped looking.

One key measure did show some improvement: The size of the workforce increased slightly, nudging the participation rate up to 62.7 percent after falling to the lowest level in a generation last year.

“Job creation and wage growth need to be far stronger, and they need to remain strong for a longer period of time, before the economy is close to full employment,” said Elise Gould, senior economist at the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute.

The recovery in the labor market from the depths of the Great Recession was one of the key drivers of the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates in December for the first time in nearly a decade. The move was intended to be a sign of the central bank’s faith in the health of the U.S. economy, and the Fed expected to slowly withdraw its historic support for the recovery over the next few years.

In addition, the strong dollar and low energy prices have pushed inflation well below the Fed’s target of 2 percent, the level generally associated with a healthy economy.

“Risks are tilted to the downside — it is still easier to see the [Fed] slowing down the rate of increases then speeding them up,” wrote Goldman Sachs economists Jan Hatzius and Zach Pandl, who have predicted the central bank will increase the rate three times this year.

But some Fed officials have cautioned against overreacting to movements in the market. In a speech Thursday evening, Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester said she believes the economy remains fundamentally sound.

“Until we see further evidence to the contrary, my expectation is that the U.S economy will work through the latest episode of market turbulence and soft patch to regain its footing for moderate growth,” she said.

(via The Washington Post)