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Still need to fill some summer employee spots? Look for candidates with camp counselor qualities

Need some pinch-hitters to flesh out the spring hires that didn't work, or didn't last? Think about candidates who've had experience as camp counselors, or show those kinds of qualities because they are often both leaders and team players who work well in the restaurant setting.

June 22, 2016 by Lon Southerland — Executive Vice President, GuestMetrics, LLC.

Finding the best talent to balance out your team is a priority, regardless of the time of year. We all hope to find someone who will be a good fit with our existing team. But the truth is, it's possible that some of those pre-summer hires you made back in May have not lasted and you now find your restaurant in need of some pinch-hitters.

There is even less time to train these new employees than there was a month ago, so you need quick-starters who catch on easily and seamlessly fit into the flow of the rest of your operations. Tall order, I know, but there's a lot of expertise out there to tap into on this subject that you can use to find the best people fast.

One such expert is Customer Fanatix founder, Heather Younger. She said that regardless of whether an employee is brought on as temporary or permanent, all hires should be made with a preference for those with positive attitudes, a service focus and a long range view of what a temporary position could mean for their future.

These are the kind of individuals who take ownership in the work that is expected of them and have a desire to learn. These are the paramount characteristics of summer employees who excel, Younger said. In fact, though I am now an executive serving this industry, I remember working at my first job in a fast food restaurant. I didn't think of it as a stop-over, but as an opportunity to gain new skills, while adding value for my manager.

The fundamental 5: Key personality traits of great employees

There are five fundamental skills you should seek in individuals, including interns, you hire for shorter terms, like summer vacations or part of a school year. You will notice, technical skills are not in the list below, because although they are important, most employees with the following traits can easily pick up any kind of technical skill required to do the job. So, look for employees who show:

o   Teamwork capabilities
o   Communication skills
o   Leadership ability
o   Problem-solving and decision-making aptitude
o   Ability to prioritize and plan

In the restaurants I've patronized while traveling, I have seen that some chains offer far better service than others. So, recently I asked a manager at one of those chain's what their secret to hiring success is about.

"We hire based off what we call eight slices of culture," said Grimaldi's President and COO Eric Greenwald. "Each slice guides our team members through our expectations of representing the brand. We think clearly outlining traits like teamwork, communication and accountability (is) a great way to open the dialog in our company. It also helps us attract and retain strong talent."

A personal story of summer employment

It is easiest for me to frame these transferable skills in terms my own experience from high school and college summers. Like my son, Gaines, who recently started a summer internship, I spent a number of my summers as a camp counselor in western Massachusetts and moved my way up the ranks to waterfront director and camp leader.

You might want to strongly consider an applicant who has been a camp counselor and has positive references. I can tell you from personal experience, this has to be one of the hardest jobs there is and it develops worthwhile traits and skills which are indicators of success for many jobs.

Why you might want to look for employees who model camp counselor traits

Consider this: Parents drop off their most valuable treasure, their child, at summer camp and leave them in the hands of a team of counselors. The lives and well-being of someone's kids are a responsibility not to be taken lightly. These responsibilities last all summer and can range in time required from part of a day to 'round-the-clock.

• Teamwork: An ability to work in a team structure is something camp counselors experience daily. They must rely on their peers and relate to a large diverse group of campers who each have different personalities and needs. This type of work cannot be done without a team to handle projects and shifts. The same is true in the restaurant environment, which just works more quickly and efficiently with solid teamwork. Overall teamwork also makes for a more pleasant, less stressful work environment for all, don't you think?

• Communication skills: The ability to communicate effectively at all levels (parents, children, co-workers and supervisory leadership) is a significant advantage in most work environments. Whether a camper is homesick and needs support or the parent is dropping off a child and needs to feel confident before leaving, communication skills facilitate desired outcomes and are crucial for a successful restaurant operation.

• Leadership: Once a camper is dropped off, counselors become their leaders and the role models. Good management and leadership skills are not just needed to lead large groups though, rather they are necessary to help develop skills and relationships at every interaction from those that are one-on-one, to those involving mass audiences. This trait shows an ability to take initiative. It also correlates well with driving success in our dynamic restaurant environments.

• Problem solving and decision-making: Camps require detailed planning and scheduling for large and diverse groups of campers. At a moment's notice, a change in weather or other variable can change the entire plan for the day. Counselors must adjust as they serve on the front lines with efficiency, creativity and the right attitude.

• Ability to prioritize and plan: Unexpected changes are an everyday constant at most youth camps. From small altercations, to the discovery that a camper has lice, plans have to flex daily to respond. This requires an engaged, proactive individual who can adjust accordingly. These situations and the ability to plan and prioritize correlate well to the changes that happen daily at any restaurant, like call-outs, unexpected rushes, emergencies and more.

Certainly not all applicants will have all of these skills and the degree to which they have honed them will vary depending on their previous work environment. But it pays to seek candidates who have clearly learned and are using some of these skills. They can point you to those individuals who hold the highest degree of potential for success and contribution to your team.

Photo Credits Courtesy of - Grimaldi's Coal Brick Oven Pizzeria