Make working in hospitality sexy again

Make working in hospitality sexy again

Ron Blaauw, a well-known Dutch Michelin-starred chef, hit the nail on the head: "hospitality work is often seen as a side job, but lots of people at the top of the business world have worked in hospitality". Yes, it's definitely a wonderful profession. So why is finding hospitality staff still such a struggle, and how do you make working in hospitality sexy (again)?

Looking for more security

Before the pandemic, hospitality work was popular. But when COVID hit, hospitality staff lost the security of an income. Many left and found work in sectors with better terms of employment and job security. Lots of hospitality bosses had hoped, or perhaps even expected, that their "loyal" employees would come back after the pandemic. Not so! Former hospitality staff are staying put right where they are: in a job with more security, a higher salary, more stable working hours and more opportunities to grow.

The mass hunt for hospitality staff

There are now 37,500 open vacancies for hospitality work. That happened fast, because in 2021 there were still around 10,000 fewer. For many people, hospitality work isn't 'sexy' any more either, because it's known for poor terms and working conditions. And that fuels the ever-growing problem.

Innovate, adapt and push on

It's important not to throw in the towel now. See it as a challenge! Times have simply changed. Innovate, adapt and push on. Start by offering good primary terms of employment, such as convenient working hours, a day off at the weekend, a fair salary and breaks. You can also sit down and take a proper look at secondary benefits. That's very important, because it's how you can stand out from your competitors. That way you make working in hospitality an attractive option for jobseekers again.

How to make young people want to work in hospitality again

Also find out what your target group thinks is important. Young people working in hospitality think it's important to keep developing. Offer them a personal development plan, for example, linked to a higher salary, and give them the chance to take courses and training. Could your employees do with a healthier lifestyle? Provide a gym membership! Or help them find somewhere to live in this tight housing market. À la carte terms of employment are an option too. With these, employees choose for themselves which benefits they want. Whatever you do: be creative!

[addtoany]

Want to start a social media campaign too?

Download our free whitepaper and learn the ins and outs of recruitment. Or book a no-obligation chat with one of our experts, and we'll look at the options together.

Read our whitepaper

• Discover how to recruit the best candidates, even when they seem impossible to find.
• Learn how to outsmart the competition and keep growing.
• Read how to make recruitment predictable.

I'd like an advice session

• Get tailored advice during a thirty-minute conversation.
• At a time that suits you.
• No obligations.