How to Select the Right Hospitality Recruitment Agency in Belfast for Your Company

Managing a restaurant or hotel may be challenging enough without having to deal with issues of staffing the next shift. Your chef falls ill, some members of your crew quit, or you get a big reservation unexpectedly. In this situation, the hiring process is as urgent as the customer service.

This is not an unusual situation for businesses operating in the hospitality industry in Belfast. Hiring someone qualified for the job is easy. Getting someone who will appear on time, work well with the rest of the team, and be able to cope with the rush of clients is a challenge.

Begin With Your Real Needs

Before approaching an agency, evaluate the area where you will require assistance. A small café will require an additional front-of-house member, while a hotel will require housekeeping staff or receptionists or even chefs.

For catering agencies, there are other requirements. An extra staff may be required to cater to weddings or corporate events for a day, while a restaurant would require employees who can be integrated into their regular team.

Make a list of the required positions along with the details such as the hours of work, experience needed and the starting date. In addition, be very realistic about the job. Positions like those requiring long hours including working on weekends or even in the heat of the kitchen require that candidates be aware of this beforehand.

A realistic description will increase the chances of finding someone suitable for the actual job and not just the position itself.

Find an Agency that Understands Your Hospitality Job

While looking for candidates for an office position and a hospitality position is not totally different, a potential candidate could be extremely qualified and not cope with the fast pace of a restaurant.

On the other hand, another candidate may be less qualified, but have great communication and learning skills.

When comparing catering and hospitality recruitment agencies in Belfast, one could inquire about the type of jobs the agency recruits for. Their experience recruiting chefs, kitchen porters, waitresses, hotel staff, and catering assistants could vary.

Moreover, it would be useful to ask how the agencies evaluate if a candidate is right for a certain job. Different jobs would require different experience.

The agency does not necessarily have to recruit for all positions. The agency just needs to understand yours.

Ask How The Candidates Will Be Verified

It’s very easy to hire on a whim if your schedule is not complete; however, hiring the wrong candidate will only add to the workload for everyone else.

Ask how your candidates will be interviewed and if their past experiences, employment history, and references will be verified, where relevant. When it comes to kitchen jobs, practical cooking experience and knowledge about food hygiene may hold more importance than a large number of prior job titles.

Also, the employers should make sure that the candidates have the legal right to work in the UK, especially for Northern Ireland. This will include verification of who will do the right-to-work checks, in addition to any other necessary checks.

For temporary workers, inquire about how their availability is ensured and what if someone fails to show up to work. This will become quite important for you in case of having an event lined up.

Temporary or Permanent Employees?

Of course, not all positions require filling in the same way. In some cases, a temporary hire can do wonders for your company. Other times, a permanent position is a better choice.

Temporary workers can assist with filling up gaps for holiday, sick, weekend shifts and one-off events. Permanent recruitment is generally preferred where you require an individual who will be handling ongoing tasks and growing in the organization.

The question of seasonal demand should also be considered. Events associated with holidays, summers and peak tourist seasons can cause additional workload for hospitality departments, although it may vary depending on your business.

Consider your bookings and employees' schedules when trying to determine how much help you require. If you are aware of the months that will always be busy, it will be easier to find cover rather than look for new hires at the last minute.

Know the Costs Before Saying Yes

Recruitment costs certainly merit attention from the beginning, especially for small companies operating with slim profit margins.

A recruitment agency might have a cost attached to the permanent employment of individuals through them. There is likely to be an hourly charge for temporary employment, which will depend on the position and the agreed terms. There might be additional fees or other terms of the contract.

It is advisable to ask for a detailed written account of the charges so that you know exactly what you are being charged for. Make sure you know how overtime, cancellation, replacement of candidates, and extended temporary employment are handled.

Just because something is the cheapest option does not mean it is the best. You can consider what the recruitment agency saves you in terms of hours of work and appropriate candidates.

Consider the Local Labor Force in Belfast

The location really matters when it comes to hiring staff for the hospitality industry. A late evening shift might not be convenient for someone dependent on public transportation. An off-city center catering job might entail a totally different way of getting there.

In the course of discussing the agency, tell them about the job location and what the shifts consist of. Find out whether it hires in the right part of Belfast and nearby areas, instead of taking for granted that it hires from everywhere.

Knowing the local area could be useful, but it isn't enough alone. The agency should be familiar with the job, communicate, and hire candidates willing to work these hours.

Communicate Well

The recruitment company can tell you plenty about itself with just the first talk that you have with them. Are they going to ask you reasonable questions concerning the vacancy? Do they want to get an understanding of your work schedule, team setup, and requirements? Or are they just going to assure you that they will send CVs?

It is very important for good communication during the process of recruitment as well. The company needs to explain when they will keep in touch with you, organize interviews, and who to contact if the candidate does not suit you.

Prior to agreeing to cooperate with them, make sure you clarify what you will do if the temporary worker does not show up or the permanent hire does not work out. Companies looking into companies like Kennedy Recruitment need to find out what current services do they offer, their experience in the hospitality industry, and contract details.

Make the Right Choice for Your Company

There is no recruitment agency out there that is perfect for all restaurants, hotels and catering firms. A firm that wants to hire an experienced head chef has a different requirement than one that seeks ten temp workers for a weekend party.

Evaluate them according to their expertise in dealing with the kind of vacancy you have, their method of screening candidates, their fee structure and communication policies. It helps if you can talk to other hospitality companies regarding their experience.

It would also be good to evaluate your own recruiting policy. Good descriptions of jobs, reasonable salary packages, sensible shifts and easy interview processes can attract quality candidates.

Your decision on the selection of a catering and hospitality recruitment agency in Belfast becomes easy once you know what you want and what you should ask.

All that you need to remember is that filling the slot is not your only objective. You also need to get qualified individuals to do the job right.