The job search today is not what it was 50, 20 or even 10 years ago. A decline in newspaper readership has reduced the effectiveness of print “help wanted” ads. Hiring notices in the front window still attract attention, but with the national unemployment rate at 7.9 percent, this often generates piles of applications from poorly suited candidates. Fortunately, hospitality employers no longer have to rely on these outdated recruiting methods. With more than 78 percent of the U.S. population online, the Internet is king—and it’s also a preferred job-hunting tool of the best restaurant and hotel professionals.

Some Hospitality Professionals Prefer to be “Headhunted”

Currently, employed hospitality executives and managers who are doing well in their careers have little time to search for a new job; they may even like the one they have. This doesn’t mean they aren’t open to a change of employment, especially if it involves a promotion, salary increase, better benefits or a new challenge. According to one survey by a major career website, 74 percent of employees fall into this category.

You’ll find them on all the popular social media sites and in online industry groups. They may also attend local hospitality networking events. Win them over with the right pitch, and you’ll secure experienced, skilled team members. For best results, identify prime candidates and begin building relationships before you need to hire.

Many Hospitality Professionals Use Online Search Tools

According to the aforementioned survey, 74 percent of today’s job seekers use search engines like Google and Bing to find employment opportunities. They’re searching simple terms such as “hotel jobs” and “restaurant jobs” as well as phrases with more complexity such as “hospitality executive jobs in Denver.”

This means you need to optimize the “careers,” “work for us” or “jobs at company x” page of your website for the most popular search terms. You also must pay attention to keyword usage in the job descriptions you post elsewhere online. If the search engine spiders cannot find you, the best hospitality job candidates won’t be able to either.

Many Hospitality Professionals Find Jobs by Networking

Networking is still a popular job search tool; 68 percent of the job seekers surveyed utilize traditional means of networking such as joining industry-related associations, attending local networking events, and spreading the word through friends and family. Fifty-four percent use social media websites—and associated user interest groups—to network.

If you’re a hospitality employer or recruiter, you must develop a social media presence and use it to connect with these professionals. You should also consider sponsoring in-person networking opportunities in your area.

Job Boards are Still Popular with Hospitality Professionals

Survey results reveal that 67 percent of job seekers search online job boards for employment opportunities. They may create a profile or upload a resume—enabling employers to approach them—or rely on keyword searches of posted jobs.

Much like that “help wanted” sign mentioned earlier, an ad on a job board could generate a great deal of interest. To make sure it’s interesting from the right candidates, you must carefully craft job descriptions that appeal to your target professional. Don’t neglect to include keywords they are likely to use in their search. And to maximize results, utilize a hospitality job board like Hcareers.

Reach and recruit hospitality professionals today!