Publican

two Vancouver pubs, estimates that about 20%
of his staff is sourced through employee referrals.
The process occurs naturally, of course, but you
can also leverage it with an organized Employee
Referral Program, or ERP, offering bonuses or other
incentives to team members whose referrals lead
to a successful hire. ERPs are a quick, low-cost, and
effective way to find staff. Referred candidates
are usually well-informed about the job and they
tend to stay with the company longer. Also, hiring
people who are already friends gives you a head
start in team-building.
Hire Under-Represented Groups
From persons with disabilities to new Canadians
and Aboriginal people, there’s a wealth of talent
among BC’s under-represented groups. BC is
also home to 1.2 million 50 to 70 year-old baby
boomers that can bring a lifetime of experience
and interpersonal skills to customer-facing jobs.
Offer Professional Development Opportunities
Pubs and bars awash in resumés can still find it
a challenge to staff the kitchen. One reason for
this, as Marino points out, is that cooks often want
more professional development opportunities
than liquor primary businesses typically offer.
One way around that is to sponsor apprentices.
If you’re in a position to do so, enabling cooks to
become certified as a Professional Cook 1, 2 or 3
(Red Seal) while in your employ is a powerful way
to attract and retain motivated and committed
people. Also look at offering other professional
development opportunities, such as extra training
or a clear career path, to attract staff interested in
making hospitality a career.
However you choose to do it, whether boosting
your business’s Facebook profile, checking out
the job boards, or asking your staff to recommend
their friends, now is the time to get creative about
your hiring needs.
Is your company doing something innovative in hiring new employees?
Share your stories with go2HR at inquiry@go2hr.ca.
go2HR is BC’s tourism and hospitality human resource association. As
labour market specialists, go2HR coordinates the BC Tourism Labour Market
Strategy and provides programs and resources in the areas of recruitment,
retention, and training. To learn more, visit go2HR.ca.
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