Well-written restaurant job descriptions can be the foundation for attracting qualified candidates, setting clear expectations, building a successful team, and aligning employees with business goals. A badly written one casts doubts on your management ability and business competence – it’s easy for applicants to be suspicious about what a job really involves.
Many restaurant job descriptions are a messy combination of unrealistic goals, work lists and copy/paste from older documents – and sometimes they are close to terrifying in their demands! It’s often worth starting again (perhaps for each new hire), and AI tools like ChatGPT allow you to do this easily.
Following the process outlined below, you can create job descriptions that stand out, resonate with candidates, and lead to successful hiring outcomes and positive performance management. They are a vital part of the marketing toolkit for successful recruitment.
This article has the following sections:
1. Key elements of good restaurant ob descriptions 2. Framework for writing about Key Duties and Responsibilities for any hospitality job 3. Add additional elements for leadership and managerial responsibilities. 4. When to include numerical benchmarks and performance standards 5. Understanding the language of job descriptions 6. Using job descriptions for performance management 7. Using ChatGPT or AI tools to help write job descriptions
1. Key elements of good Restaurant Job Descriptions
1. Job Title and Summary: Begin by clearly stating the job title and summarising the position’s main responsibilities and purpose within the restaurant. Once you have the list of duties required, use ChatGPT or an AI tool to create a two-sentence summary.
Summary example for a Head Chef: The Head Chef oversees the culinary operations and ensures the delivery of high-quality food in our restaurant. They are tasked with creating innovativemenus, managing kitchen staff, and maintaining exceptional food preparation and presentation standards.
Summary example for a Waiter: The Waiter is vital in providing exceptional customer service and ensuring a positive dining experience for our guests. They are responsible for taking orders, serving food and beverages, and attending to customer needs promptly and courteously. The Waiter also assists in maintaining cleanliness and tidiness in the dining area.
2. Key Duties and Responsibilities: the core tasks and work responsibilities associated with the role.
3. Qualifications and Experience: This can include educational background, relevant certifications, and any specific industry experience or knowledge that is essential.
4. Working Conditions and Schedule: including the expected work hours, shifts, and any specific requirements such as availability during weekends or holidays.
5. Physical Requirements: any physical demands or limitations associated with the role, such as standing for extended periods, lifting heavy objects, or working in a fast-paced environment.
6. Compensation and Benefits: an overview of the compensation structure, including information on wages or salary, tips, and any additional benefits or perks (this may be included if used in a job advertisement).
7. Company Culture and Values: emphasising the importance of teamwork, customer service, and maintaining a positive work environment. For example: ‘Supporting and growing our business culture is a key part of this role. We want our workplace to be positive and friendly, where everyone works together as a team and treats each other with respect. A strong culture can make our employees happier, give customers a better experience, and help our business to grow.’
2. A framework for writing about Key Duties & Responsibilities in restaurant job descriptions
These are the 5 important areas that every JD will need, with some examples from the front and back of the house:
1. Customer Service:
Interact with customers in a friendly and professional manner.
Take orders, provide menu recommendations, and answer customer inquiries.
Ensure prompt and accurate delivery of food and beverages.
Address customer concerns or complaints promptly and escalate as necessary.
2. Food and Beverage Preparation:
Prepare food items according to established recipes and quality standards.
Follow proper food handling and safety guidelines to maintain hygiene.
Assist in stocking and organising inventory, ensuring sufficient supplies are available.
Prepare and serve beverages, such as coffee, tea, or cocktails, as required.
3. Table and Area Maintenance:
Set up tables and dining areas before service, ensuring cleanliness and proper arrangement.
Clear and clean tables promptly, resetting them for the next guests.
Maintain cleanliness and organisation in the dining area, including floors, counters, and serving stations.
Assist in restocking and replenishing items like condiments, napkins, and utensils.
4. Team Collaboration:
Collaborate with colleagues to ensure smooth and efficient service.
Communicate effectively with kitchen staff, management, and other team members.
Assist and support fellow staff members during busy periods or when required.
Contribute to a positive work environment by promoting teamwork and friendship.
5. Compliance and Safety:
Follow all health and safety regulations, including food handling and sanitation practices.
Follow company policies, procedures, and guidelines at all times.
Report any maintenance or safety issues promptly to the appropriate staff.
Maintain personal hygiene and adhere to dress code requirements.
Remember to adapt the specific duties for each role and keep the language simple – many hospitality staff do not have English as their first language.
3. Add additional elements for leadership and managerial responsibilities.
Add from the following 7 elements – not all will apply for a supervisory position. Most will apply for both front and back-of-house positions.
6. Leadership and Team Management:
Provide guidance and direction to the team, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
Delegate tasks and responsibilities, monitor progress and provide feedback.
Foster a positive work environment, promoting teamwork, motivation, and professional development.
7. Operational Oversight:
Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring the smooth functioning of all departments.
Monitor key performance indicators, such as sales, costs, and customer satisfaction.
Implement strategies to improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
Coordinate with other managers and departments to ensure smooth operations.
8. Staff Recruitment and Development::
Participate in the recruitment and selection process for new team members.
Conduct interviews, assess candidates, and make hiring recommendations.
Develop and implement training programs to enhance staff skills and knowledge.
Provide coaching, mentorship, and performance feedback to team members.
9. Financial Management:
Monitor and manage budgets, expenses, and financial targets.
Analyse financial reports and take appropriate actions to optimise profitability.
Control costs, minimise waste, and adhere to financial policy and procedure.
10. Customer Service and Satisfaction:
Uphold high standards of customer service, ensuring a positive dining experience.
Address customer feedback and complaints, resolving issues promptly and effectively.
Foster a customer-centric culture among staff members.
11. Compliance and Safety:
Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, food handling standards, and licensing requirements.
Conduct regular inspections and audits to maintain cleanliness and safety standards.
Implement and enforce company policies and procedures.
12. Relationship Management:
Build relationships with suppliers, vendors, and other external stakeholders.
Collaborate with the senior management team to align goals and strategies.
Represent the restaurant in community events and networking opportunities.
These additional 7 elements give the leadership, operational, and strategic responsibilities expected from individuals in those positions. They help to attract qualified candidates and provide a clear understanding of the managerial expectations within the restaurant.
4. When to include numerical benchmarks, KPI’s and performance standards in restaurant job descriptions
These will be appropriate where performance can be objectively measured, such as sales positions or production roles; they can provide clarity and help set clear performance expectations, e.g. meeting a standard for Average Customer Spend or food and labour costs being less than a certain figure. This puts the onus on business leaders to have these figures available promptly and accurately.
Not all roles have easily quantifiable metrics. Some positions, such as creative roles or customer service positions, may require more flexibility and rely on qualitative factors. Finding a balance that sets clear expectations while allowing for reasonable variations and individual contributions is important.
5. Understanding the language of job descriptions
Including behaviour verbs and expressions in a job description can help clarify and convey the expected attitudes and qualities for a particular role. Here are some helpful behaviour verbs and phrases to include:
Communication:
Communicate effectively with customers, colleagues, and management.
Display active listening skills and maintain a positive and attentive approach.
Demonstrate clear and concise verbal and written communication.
Customer Service:
Provide exceptional customer service and ensure customer satisfaction.
Display a friendly, professional, and courteous demeanour towards customers.
Handle customer inquiries, requests, and complaints promptly and empathetically.
Teamwork and Collaboration:
Build a collaborative and supportive team environment.
Work cooperatively with colleagues to achieve common goals.
Contribute to a positive work culture through teamwork and cooperation.
Adaptability and Flexibility:
Adapt quickly to changing situations and priorities.
Remain flexible in scheduling and willing to work in different areas as needed.
Embrace new procedures, technologies, and approaches to improve work efficiency.
Problem-Solving and Decision-Making:
Identify and resolve problems or challenges effectively.
Make informed and timely decisions based on available information.
Use critical thinking and sound judgment in decision-making processes.
Time Management and Organisation:
Prioritise tasks and manage time effectively to meet deadlines.
Maintain an organised and efficient work environment.
Demonstrate the ability to multitask and handle competing priorities.
6. Using restaurant job descriptions for performance management
A well-written job description can be crucial in performance management when a staff member is not meeting the required standard. Here’s how it can be used:
Clear Expectations: When an employee’s performance falls short, the job description can remind them of the specific tasks, duties, and performance standards they are expected to meet.
Performance Evaluation:: It’s easier to identify performance gaps and areas that require improvement by comparing actual performance to the outlined duties and responsibilities.
Performance Standards and Accountability: The job description can be used when discussing performance-related consequences or disciplinary actions if an employee consistently fails to meet the required standard.
Development Plans: The plan can outline specific actions, training opportunities, or resources that can help the employee bridge the performance gaps identified in relation to the job description.
Using the job description within the performance management process, you can give clear expectations, identify performance gaps, and support employees in improving their performance. It helps ensure consistency, fairness, and alignment with the job’s requirements.
7. Using ChatGPT or AI tools to help write job descriptions
AI tools can help you with…
Generating Content: Including job summaries, key duties and responsibilities, qualifications and experience, working conditions, and more. You provide the necessary details, and ChatGPT can offer suggestions and help you phrase the information effectively. It’s a good way to avoid missing out on important tasks.
Language and Clarity: ChatGPT can assist in ensuring clarity and readability. It can simplify complex phrases, rephrase sentences for better understanding, and provide alternative wording options to make the description more concise.
Tailoring to Specific Roles: ChatGPT can provide guidance on customising job descriptions for specific roles within the restaurant, such as chefs, waitstaff, managers, and kitchen staff. Start with the frameworks provided at the beginning of this article, and ChatGPT can suggest specific responsibilities, skills, and qualifications.
Review and Improve Current Job Descriptions: Many JDs are overwritten or missing important details, and some confuse work lists with the JD document. By sharing the draft with ChatGPT, you can receive feedback, identify potential areas of improvement, and make necessary revisions to create more effective job descriptions
In conclusion: using accurate and well-written job descriptions is essential for employers who want to attract the right candidates and build a successful team. Be clear, don’t exaggerate, and use language that’s easy to understand – a well-written JD not only helps attract good people but also serves as a foundation for performance management, setting standards, and developing a positive work environment and culture.
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Well-written restaurant job descriptions can be the foundation for attracting qualified candidates, setting clear expectations, building a successful team, and aligning employees with business goals. A badly written one casts doubts on your management ability and business competence – it’s easy for applicants to be suspicious about what a job really involves.
Many restaurant job descriptions are a messy combination of unrealistic goals, work lists and copy/paste from older documents – and sometimes they are close to terrifying in their demands! It’s often worth starting again (perhaps for each new hire), and AI tools like ChatGPT allow you to do this easily.
Following the process outlined below, you can create job descriptions that stand out, resonate with candidates, and lead to successful hiring outcomes and positive performance management. They are a vital part of the marketing toolkit for successful recruitment.
This article has the following sections:
1. Key elements of good restaurant ob descriptions
2. Framework for writing about Key Duties and Responsibilities for any hospitality job
3. Add additional elements for leadership and managerial responsibilities.
4. When to include numerical benchmarks and performance standards
5. Understanding the language of job descriptions
6. Using job descriptions for performance management
7. Using ChatGPT or AI tools to help write job descriptions
1. Key elements of good Restaurant Job Descriptions
1. Job Title and Summary: Begin by clearly stating the job title and summarising the position’s main responsibilities and purpose within the restaurant. Once you have the list of duties required, use ChatGPT or an AI tool to create a two-sentence summary.
Summary example for a Head Chef:
The Head Chef oversees the culinary operations and ensures the delivery of high-quality food in our restaurant. They are tasked with creating innovative menus, managing kitchen staff, and maintaining exceptional food preparation and presentation standards.
Summary example for a Waiter:
The Waiter is vital in providing exceptional customer service and ensuring a positive dining experience for our guests. They are responsible for taking orders, serving food and beverages, and attending to customer needs promptly and courteously. The Waiter also assists in maintaining cleanliness and tidiness in the dining area.
2. Key Duties and Responsibilities: the core tasks and work responsibilities associated with the role.
3. Qualifications and Experience: This can include educational background, relevant certifications, and any specific industry experience or knowledge that is essential.
4. Working Conditions and Schedule: including the expected work hours, shifts, and any specific requirements such as availability during weekends or holidays.
5. Physical Requirements: any physical demands or limitations associated with the role, such as standing for extended periods, lifting heavy objects, or working in a fast-paced environment.
6. Compensation and Benefits: an overview of the compensation structure, including information on wages or salary, tips, and any additional benefits or perks (this may be included if used in a job advertisement).
7. Company Culture and Values: emphasising the importance of teamwork, customer service, and maintaining a positive work environment. For example: ‘Supporting and growing our business culture is a key part of this role. We want our workplace to be positive and friendly, where everyone works together as a team and treats each other with respect. A strong culture can make our employees happier, give customers a better experience, and help our business to grow.’
2. A framework for writing about Key Duties & Responsibilities in restaurant job descriptions
These are the 5 important areas that every JD will need, with some examples from the front and back of the house:
1. Customer Service:
2. Food and Beverage Preparation:
3. Table and Area Maintenance:
4. Team Collaboration:
5. Compliance and Safety:
Remember to adapt the specific duties for each role and keep the language simple – many hospitality staff do not have English as their first language.
3. Add additional elements for leadership and managerial responsibilities.
Add from the following 7 elements – not all will apply for a supervisory position. Most will apply for both front and back-of-house positions.
6. Leadership and Team Management:
7. Operational Oversight:
8. Staff Recruitment and Development::
9. Financial Management:
10. Customer Service and Satisfaction:
11. Compliance and Safety:
12. Relationship Management:
These additional 7 elements give the leadership, operational, and strategic responsibilities expected from individuals in those positions. They help to attract qualified candidates and provide a clear understanding of the managerial expectations within the restaurant.
4. When to include numerical benchmarks, KPI’s and performance standards in restaurant job descriptions
These will be appropriate where performance can be objectively measured, such as sales positions or production roles; they can provide clarity and help set clear performance expectations, e.g. meeting a standard for Average Customer Spend or food and labour costs being less than a certain figure. This puts the onus on business leaders to have these figures available promptly and accurately.
Not all roles have easily quantifiable metrics. Some positions, such as creative roles or customer service positions, may require more flexibility and rely on qualitative factors. Finding a balance that sets clear expectations while allowing for reasonable variations and individual contributions is important.
5. Understanding the language of job descriptions
Including behaviour verbs and expressions in a job description can help clarify and convey the expected attitudes and qualities for a particular role. Here are some helpful behaviour verbs and phrases to include:
Communication:
Customer Service:
Teamwork and Collaboration:
Adaptability and Flexibility:
Problem-Solving and Decision-Making:
Time Management and Organisation:
6. Using restaurant job descriptions for performance management
A well-written job description can be crucial in performance management when a staff member is not meeting the required standard. Here’s how it can be used:
Clear Expectations: When an employee’s performance falls short, the job description can remind them of the specific tasks, duties, and performance standards they are expected to meet.
Performance Evaluation:: It’s easier to identify performance gaps and areas that require improvement by comparing actual performance to the outlined duties and responsibilities.
Performance Standards and Accountability: The job description can be used when discussing performance-related consequences or disciplinary actions if an employee consistently fails to meet the required standard.
Development Plans: The plan can outline specific actions, training opportunities, or resources that can help the employee bridge the performance gaps identified in relation to the job description.
Using the job description within the performance management process, you can give clear expectations, identify performance gaps, and support employees in improving their performance. It helps ensure consistency, fairness, and alignment with the job’s requirements.
7. Using ChatGPT or AI tools to help write job descriptions
AI tools can help you with…
Generating Content: Including job summaries, key duties and responsibilities, qualifications and experience, working conditions, and more. You provide the necessary details, and ChatGPT can offer suggestions and help you phrase the information effectively. It’s a good way to avoid missing out on important tasks.
Language and Clarity: ChatGPT can assist in ensuring clarity and readability. It can simplify complex phrases, rephrase sentences for better understanding, and provide alternative wording options to make the description more concise.
Tailoring to Specific Roles: ChatGPT can provide guidance on customising job descriptions for specific roles within the restaurant, such as chefs, waitstaff, managers, and kitchen staff. Start with the frameworks provided at the beginning of this article, and ChatGPT can suggest specific responsibilities, skills, and qualifications.
Review and Improve Current Job Descriptions: Many JDs are overwritten or missing important details, and some confuse work lists with the JD document. By sharing the draft with ChatGPT, you can receive feedback, identify potential areas of improvement, and make necessary revisions to create more effective job descriptions
In conclusion: using accurate and well-written job descriptions is essential for employers who want to attract the right candidates and build a successful team. Be clear, don’t exaggerate, and use language that’s easy to understand – a well-written JD not only helps attract good people but also serves as a foundation for performance management, setting standards, and developing a positive work environment and culture.
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