Hiring the right restaurant manager can be a challenging task for restaurant owners and operators. Restaurant managers play a vital role in the day-to-day operations of a restaurant and can greatly impact the success of the business. However, finding and hiring the best candidate for the job can be time-consuming and overwhelming. This is where a recruiter can come in handy.

A recruiter is a professional who specializes in finding and placing job candidates. They have access to a wide pool of qualified candidates and can help you find the best fit for your specific needs. Additionally, they can save you time and resources by handling the initial screening and interviewing process.

Here are a few tips for using a recruiter to hire the best restaurant manager:

  1. Be specific about your needs: Communicate to the recruiter what you are looking for in a restaurant manager. This includes the qualifications, skills, and experience you require. Be flexible: A recruiter can only work with the candidates they have access to. Therefore, it is important to remain open-minded and be willing to consider all qualified applicants. Set expectations: Before beginning the recruiting process, come up with a timeline of when you expect the job to be filled. This will keep everyone on track.
  2. Research the recruiter: Before working with a recruiter, research their reputation and see if they have a good track record of placing candidates in the restaurant industry. Make sure you are familiar with HR laws: Be sure to review state and federal employment regulations before beginning the hiring process. A good recruiter should be knowledgeable about these regulations and help you to stay compliant during the hiring process.
  3. Interview the candidates: Before making a final decision, interview the candidates that the recruiter presents to you. This will help you to get a better understanding of their qualifications, skills, and experience.
  4. Check the references: Before making a final decision, check the references of the candidates that the recruiter presents to you. This will help you to get a better understanding of their work history and performance. It can also help to prevent you from hiring someone that may have covered up their true self during the interviewing process.
  5. Consider the cultural fit: When hiring a restaurant manager, it’s important to consider the cultural fit of the candidate. This means, how well the candidate will align with the company culture and values.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that you find the best candidate for the job, and increase the chances of a successful hiring process. Remember to ask the recruiter to be transparent throughout the process, and keep you informed of any new developments.

Keep in mind that hiring the right person for the job requires more than just looking at the candidates’ qualifications, it also includes getting to know them and understanding their work style, so you can make a better decision.

Witten By Kelly Kuhlmann

Kelly Kuhlmann is Founder and Chief Recruiting Partner of Hospitality Headhunter. Kelly has over 30 years in the Restaurant and Hospitality Industry at all levels, and has been one of the Largest Restaurant Franchisees in the United States.