What’s Trending in the Staffing Industry in 2017

Are you one of those companies having difficulty finding a well-respected staffing agency to fit your human resource needs? Do you have an event lined up and can’t seem to find the right staff that provide excellent service with an impeccable attention to detail? Or maybe you’re just in the need of a temporary payroll solution? If so, you’re one of the thousands of companies around the globe that depends on a third party to meet company goals. The staffing, recruiting and workforce solutions industry is the blood line for America and the global workforce. Without it, the world’s economy would move at an incredibly slower speed. Think of any industry in any country, and most likely they hired a third party at one time or another to assist them in reaching their human resource and company goals. In the past, companies that sought the services of staffing agencies have had a difficult time in finding the right group to service their needs. Prior to the early 2000s, staffing trends were pretty archaic. But with the general improvement of technology and the rise of social media, the staffing, recruiting and workforce solutions industry had been able to implement wondrous strategies to reach their clients’ goals. Just recently, LinkedIn released its annual Global Staffing Trends report for 2017. Some of the highlights of the report state that companies’ overall growth, the competitive search for top talent and doing more with less is a top priority. Here are some key point addressed in the report: 68% of staffing firms sees their firms growing comparison to 2016, and they say they expect to hire more recruiters (56%), sources (32%), branding specialists (28%), and coordinators (17%). Also, 79% sees increases in the volume of their workforce in 2017. Most firms place candidates in less than 2 months. 39% report it takes them less than 1 month, 44% say it takes them 1-2 months, and 14% report taking 3-4 months to place candidates. Top challenges leaders say their teams are faced with include: competition for talent (58%); business development (38%); limited budget (30%); small recruiting team (25%); and poor communication with hiring managers (20%). 53% expect their budgets to increase in 2017. Half of these budgets go to traditional sources (job boards/advertising, recruiting tools), with unlimited funds the report says staffing firms would prioritize business development (49%), branding (34%), and investing in better sourcing tools (34%). 82% of the stop staffing firms agree that investing in brand generates new business, the reports state that 10% of their budget goes to such cause. Measurement of brand: traffic to our career website (45%); response to emails/InMails (43%); social media engagement (35%); number of social media followers (27%); and survey data on potential candidates’ perceptions (21%). Prediction for the incoming years: using social and professional networks to generate new business (55%); recruiting more diverse candidates (30%), innovative interviewing tools (29%); candidate relationship management tools (29%); and using big data (28%). We’re half way into 2017 and based on LinkedIn’s report, the rest of the year and beyond will see great growth in the staffing, recruiting and workforce solutions industry. The South Florida market is expected to reflect this trend especially since the summer season usually brings in a huge influx of economic activity within the region. Tourists will flock to the beaches, hotels will get filled close to maximum capacity and an abundance of diners will visit restaurants. In between, there is a tremendous amount of other companies that will need staffing agencies to meet consumer demands. Located in Miami, we at RMG Staffing takes pride in bringing together top-quality employees to employers. Our specialty includes hospitality management for both front of the house and back of the house management, banquets and events. And if your company has particular needs that demand meticulous attention, we at RMG Staffing can customize our services to meet your goals. We have provided exceptional service to some of the top and best companies in South Florida. Based on the significant trends that are happening in the staffing agency, we at RMG are in a beautiful position to keep our clients thriving.

Our Top Tips for Bartenders

Bartending is an art… and don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise. In fact, to be a good bartender, you need to be equal parts a scientist, an entertainer and an artist. You have to know what proportions make up a drink, you have to be a good talker, and you have to be able to be creative on your feet. And on top of that, don’t let the bar and nightlife setting fool you; like with any job, you have to be extremely professional. Interested in bartending at some of Miami’s hottest events? Reach out to us to see if you’ve got what it takes. But before you do, read through our tips below. After all, we only want bartenders who want to bartend – and are ready to be pretty amazing at it, too. Maintain control of your bar. If you’re drinking, you should be having a good time. But as the bartender, you need to have some control over the experience, as well. If you see someone getting out of hand, try and calm them down. If someone needs to be cut off, cut him or her off. If someone is having a bad day, try and cheer them up while you clean behind the bar. Remember: as the bartender, you’re in control of not only what happens behind the bar, but how well people do (or don’t!) enjoy it. As with anything, be good at what you do. Just because you’re behind the bar, doesn’t mean you can hide. In fact, to your patrons (read as: your audience), you might as well be the star of the show. People are always watching the bartender, so to keep them entertained and satisfied, be confident, be personable, take their order, tend to the bar, and of course, know how to make a good cocktail. Be observant. Just like your patrons are watching you, you need to be keeping a casual eye on your patrons, too. As a bartender, you always need to be aware of what’s going on around you. Successful bartending is all about making a connection, and by keeping an eye on your surroundings, you can judge what connections need to be made. Know how to make a good drink… or five. Personality aside, a good bartender always has a core set of bartending skills in his or her back pocket. You don’t need to know every single drink, but knowing the most popular drinks is pretty essential. If the bar is famous for a certain cocktail, make sure you know the recipe like the back of your hand. Try not to use a cheat sheet – it’s an easy way to slow you down.   Stay professional. For some people, bartending is a part-time job that gets you through college; while for others, it’s a career. Whatever it is for you, do it with pride and don’t slack off. When you’re behind the bar, you’ll interact with a lot of really cool people – from business owners and big-time lawyers, to athletes, politicians and celebrities. If that doesn’t impress you, maybe this will: people tip better when you treat them with respect and do your job well. Interested in a hotel job in Miami? Reach out to us to see if you’ve got what it takes ¡Contact us!

The Secrets to Great Staff Coordination

Every business fills a void in the marketplace, and here at RMG Staffing, we like to think the void we fill is helping some of the Magic City’s most beautiful events go off without a hitch. But it’s not just one or two people that get the job done – the real magic comes when we put together an incredible team of talented individuals who, when combined, have all the skills your company needs to bring an event together. Trying to coordinate a team of staff members? Follow our lead and consider the points below. We’ve used them ourselves, so trust us: with this advice, a winning staff is pretty much guaranteed. Let your employees guide you. Whatever staff you hire needs to have a certain set of basic skills, yes; but it’s also in the best interest of all involved to hire employees that are passionate. And when you hire them, apply their skills to an area of the job they’re actually passionate about. For example, if you know a team member loves to organize, put him or her in charge of inventory. If they love to interact with people, make them a bartender or a VIP server. By letting your team members do what they’re actually passionate about, you’ll have both a happy staff and a job well done. Really… it’s not all about skills. That said, hiring someone isn’t always about skill. To be frank, skills you can teach, but smarts you cannot. Instead of looking at what they’ve done, look at what potential employees can do – hire people who are intelligent, competitive and who will learn quickly on the job. Most importantly, as a general rule, try and find staff members who think outside the box. Why? Especially in the hospitality world, you never know what problems will arise, and your staff needs to be able to handle whatever is thrown their way. Hire employees capable of making their own decisions. Thanks to corporate hierarchy, many times, decisions are made at the top by people who have very little hands-on experience in the arena they are making a decision about. Despite the chain of command, decisions shouldn’t always be made by management. If you’ve done what you’re supposed to and you’ve hired a talented team, trust that team to make decisions that apply to their own groups and daily roles. This will not only give your staff a sense of ownership, but it will fast-track current employees into future managers. And if a problem arises, have faith in them. In the hospitality industry, problems will always come up – always. In fact, they’re inevitable, and there’s no telling what those problems will be. Regardless of what it is, however, don’t get involved unless you absolutely need to. If someone is unhappy with his or her meal, trust that your server will handle it appropriately. If a guest needs something, trust that your team members will get it to them quickly and easily. It’s important to remember that we’re all human, so sometimes, complaints will happen for no reason. When it comes to solving problems, especially menial problems, there’s nobody better (or at least there shouldn’t be anyone better) than your own team to come up with the best answer.

How to Successfully Manage Your Bartenders

Managing a bar is about more than being able to make a few drinks – it requires discipline, organization, efficiency, respect and making sure your bar team runs like a well-oiled machine. And from high up on the management chain, employers have a bird’s eye view of what bar managers should and shouldn’t be doing down below. How to Successfully Manage Your Bartenders, According to Employers Here are the core tips for successfully managing your bar team, according to the employers who’ve been doing it for years: Train your people.  Training is important no matter what position you’re in, but it’s absolutely vital in the early stages of your career. By properly training your bartenders and bar backs, you’ll not only be able to mold them into what the bar or venue needs, but if done correctly, you’ll also create a bar team of individuals who are confident, efficient and knowledgeable, and get off to a good start. Give real feedback… often. Want your bar managed successfully? Tell your staff what they’re doing right and what they need to do better. Giving feedback in an encouraging manner, even if it’s negative feedback, is a cornerstone of effective management. Be transparent with your team. How do you gain your employees’ trust? By giving them a reason to trust you! Be transparent with your team and set the example that they can be open with their concerns and praises. According to the experts, transparency does a number of things: it creates an intentional work environment, helps employees understand why certain decisions are made, makes it easier to solve problems and opens dialogue between bartenders and bar managers. Respect your employees – they’re individuals, not a service. If you want your staff to respect you, you have to respect them as well. As a manager of anything, respect in the work place is essential when it comes to getting your employees to “go the extra mile” on the job.  Be a role model. Above all, be a real team leader, and make sure all other employees in positions of management are team leaders, too. Nothing dissuades a staff more than looking up to a boss or employer they can’t respect. Along the same lines, you want to ensure all employees in positions of power are setting a good example for the rest of the team – remember the phrase “follow the leader?” It exists for a reason. Looking for a Hotel Job or A Staffing Agency in Miami? We have you covered. Reach out to us here or call us at 305.890.1562. We love working with our clients, and we’ll love working with you, too.

Simple Tips for a Successful Bar

Managing a bar isn’t always easy, but in our decade of experience, we’ve found some tried-and-true tips that always help it run smoothly. Spending your night managing the bar? Read below for some basic steps you can take to get yourself, and your staff, started on the right foot. Always stock your bar. Need we say more? To keep your patrons happy, you need to make sure your bar (whether it’s an actual bar or a bar setup at an event) is stocked with everything from the basic liquors and beers to mixers, garnishes, rimming salts, fun liqueurs and more. Basically, if someone asks for it, you want to be able to have it. After all, that’s what keeps happy drinkers coming back for more.  Make sure you have (and maintain) all the right bar equipment. From stirrers and shakers, to all the right drinking vessels – like beer, martini and shot glasses, whiskey glasses, or even plastic cups, if that’s what your particular event calls for – it’s important that you have all your tools right there, when you need them. Not only is this more efficient, but not having the proper tools could inhibit your ability to give a patron what he or she wants… which is a really easy to ensure they don’t come back. Clean up. Whether you’re working at a hotel bar, a standalone bar or manning the bar station at a fancy gala, keep your bar clean. Every bartender needs to wipe up any spills, make sure caps are back on the bottles, keep the floor area dry and throw away any napkins or leftover food in the vicinity of the bar. Doing so is not only hygienic and alluring for customers, but it’s also a safety measure. You don’t want anyone slipping on a wet floor or letting bacteria build up around any food and drink you have on hand. Make sure you have something for everyone. …and everyone means the non-drinkers, too. Along with alcohol, have your basic sodas, juices and club sodas for designated drivers and children, and keep something in the fridge for gluten-free patrons. For many people at events, the key to having a good time is always having a drink in your hand – even if for some people, that means a non-alcoholic drink. Know the back of the bar like the back of your hand. If you think that just because you’re a manager, you don’t actually have to put in time behind the bar – think again. To successfully run a bar, you need to know all the ins and outs of it; and to know that, you have to have experienced it firsthand. If your responsibilities allow, spend an hour or two slinging together drinks yourself. Not only will it help make sure everything’s in order, but it will also give you a chance to check on your team members and get a sense of how your customers perceive the bar. Be efficient. No one wants to wait for a drink. Combine the points above to give your guests an efficient, and enjoyable, bar experience. Remember: the bar should enhance a person’s evening, not make it stressful – and the way you can help that is by making sure guests are accommodated as quickly and easily as possible.  

Why We’re Good at What We Do

As a South Florida hospitality-staffing agency, we pride ourselves on doing what we do best: providing high-level service to hotels, restaurants and other venues across dazzling South Florida. And because we love what we do, we make sure to do it well. Since first opening nearly a decade ago, we’ve earned a reputation as Miami’s most trusted staffing agency, and for good reason – we’re fast, we’re efficient and we have a friendly staff. And it’s because of traits like these that we have been able to develop long-term relationships with big names like the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, the Loews Hotel Miami Beach, the Miami Beach EDITION, Starr Catering Group and Turnberry Isle Miami. For these clients and more, we’ve staffed everything from corporate events and elegant soirées, to Justin Bieber’s NYE concert at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, and even Madonna’s Art Basel fundraiser at the Faena Hotel. And when the next big event comes around, trust us: we’ll be there, too. But it wasn’t luck that got us to where we are; it was nearly a decade of hard work, a commitment to our clients, and a few hard-and-fast rules for success. Here are just some of the reasons our staff continues to maintain its stellar reputation: • We only hire people with awesome attitudes; those guys and girls who love working events just as much as we love staffing them. • We find employees from all over the world, always ensuring we get individuals who are the best at what they do. • We believe in matching employees appropriately. We require every employee to take a skills test and background check so that we can match his or her abilities to a particular client’s needs. • Our employees are consistent and do quality work. If they aren’t, they aren’t our employees. • In an effort to act as an extension of our clients’ teams, we have a 3-tiered system designed to give them exactly what they need. Need someone permanent? Try our direct or temp-to-hire program. For a quick fix or one-time-only event, we can help you find on-call or temporary staff, as well. When it comes down to it, we here at RMG Staffing have one goal – filling your needs. • We make sure our staff is highly trained… and then trained again and again. At RMG, we believe in constantly retraining our employees so that they’re always up-to-date on the latest techniques in the industry. Looking for a team to staff your next event? Reach out to us here or call us at 305.890.1562. We love working with our clients, and we’ll love working with you, too.

How to Succeed in Hospitality Industry?

Some of the most rewarding careers aren’t easy, and in no industry is that more true than hospitality. While hospitality gives you the opportunity to work directly with people – and in most cases, make those people extremely happy – you’ll have to work long, often unpredictable shifts, stay on your feet for hours, and because people are always watching you, be on you’re A-game at all times. As fun as this career may be, it’s easy to let it get the best of you. So if you’re passionate about the field, learn more about the personal and professional skills you’ll need below to see if hospitality is the right path for you. Always focus on the customer. In hospitality, no one is more important than the customer. In fact, how well you treat them will make or break your success. The concept is simple – the goal of hospitality is to make customers, clients and guests feel welcomed, comfortable and like a true VIP, all to make them come back for more. Think of it this way: your service is the product, and if customers don’t like a product, they won’t buy it twice. Be flexible. As we mentioned earlier, when you work in hospitality, there’s no telling what your hours might be, and you need to be ready and willing to work when you’re needed. Whether you’re working at 3 p.m. or 3 a.m. – on either an average Monday or a holiday – you’ll need to be adaptable, versatile and resourceful, and always have an open mind. In hospitality, there’s no telling what responsibilities you might be tasked with. Be positive. Success in hospitality depends a lot on your ability to make positive connections with clients, guests, vendors and even other employees. Remember: hospitality is all about comfort and service, and having a smile on your face is an easy way to make guests feel comfortable and respected. Learn how to multitask. No matter what you do, when you work in hospitality, you’ll need to be able handle multiple responsibilities at once. In just one afternoon, you might be asked to clean up a spilled drink, handle an unhappy guest, setup a VIP table for 20 and work the bar, all while staying calm and keeping a smile on your face as you greet new guests. The industry is fast-paced, always changing, and at times, even a little hectic. But if you love the job, you won’t let it get to you. Pay attention to detail. As they say: “It’s the little things.” Details can make all the difference, and the more impactful they are, the more your guests will remember them. Make sure your uniform shirt is clean and tucked in – it will make you look professional and passionate about what you do. Clean up every last drop of rum that customer spilled on the floor, make sure your plates and glasses are evenly spaced, and wherever you can, go above and beyond for every guest. Guests, and employers, always notice the details, and in time, you’ll be rewarded for it. Interested in hospitality? Contact RMG Staffing here to see if we have a position for you.

Is Virtual Reality Impacting the Future of the Hospitality Industry?

Technology is constantly evolving and changing the way we live our lives, so it’s inevitable that some pretty incredible innovations to the hospitality industry are on the horizon. If you’re not already familiar with virtual reality, prepare for it to rock your world. Markus Schreyer, vice president at The Americas at Design Hotels AG, writes about hospitality industry innovation on his personal website, and he offers some fascinating insights on how virtual reality might change the face of travel. He notes that Facebook CEO and Co-Founder Mark Zuckerberg has already declared technology will allow people to visit destinations across the world virtually one day. This might not be too far in the future, as Schreyer mentions Facebook’s 2014 purchase of Oculus, a virtual reality technology startup, for $2 billion. 3 Ways Virtual Reality Could Change the Hospitality Industry As an industry insider, Schreyer is privy to all the latest hospitality trends and he has some pretty exciting ideas about how virtual reality could change travel as we know it. Prior to a Stay Choosing a hotel can be a difficult decision for guests. Virtual reality could walk them through the grounds for a preview. From touring the hotel room they would be staying in to visiting the restaurant and pool area, people would be able to make an informed decision by seeing the grounds with their own eyes. During the Visit Hotel staff could provide a second-to-none guest experience with the help of virtual reality. Schreyer suggests a host of possibilities, including the ability to change the restaurant and room service menus to each person’s native language, offering a guided path to their hotel room and providing a hologram personal trainer for in-room exercise. After the Trip Maintaining contact with guests after they depart is key, but doing so using present technology can be a challenge. Schreyer believes the onset of virtual reality would make this much easier, allowing management to increase brand loyalty and encourage customers to return to the property every time they’re in town. The fun and vibrant Miami hospitality industry is an incredible place to work — but you already know that. If you’re an employer searching for top talent or a skilled professional ready to start the next chapter in your career, RMG Staffing wants to help. Contact us today to learn more about our Miami employment services for employers and job seekers!

7 Must-Do Items to Clean up Your Online Presence

Before applying for a job, you try to learn as much as possible about the company by searching for information online — a hiring manager uses the same strategy on you. If you’ve applied for jobs you’re definitely qualified for but still haven’t landed an interview, your online presence could be to blame. Learn how to start making your online reputation work for you instead of against you. Enable Privacy Settings on Social Media Your private social media content needs to be kept on lockdown. Any profiles containing personal photos, status updates on anything not relevant to work and basically any other content that doesn’t relate to your professional life shouldn’t be unguarded in the public sphere. Either delete the material or enable strict privacy settings so your audience is limited to friends and family only. Polish Public Social Media Profiles When used properly, social media profiles can boost your credibility, so make the most of those you opt to leave public. Choose a professional profile picture, follow industry influencers and share content relevant to the type of job you’re trying to get. Conduct a Google Search on Yourself Anyone can share content that can make you look bad, so conduct a Google search of your name to see what’s out there. Hiring managers almost always do this, so get one step ahead and make sure old spring break photos or a profanity-laden Facebook post on someone else’s page you’re tagged in isn’t tarnishing your image. Request the Removal of Unflattering Content If you find a photo of yourself dancing on the website of a club or your name listed as a participant in a bikini contest, contact the business and ask the manager to remove the unbecoming content. They’re not obligated to do so, but if you’re polite and explain the negative impact it’s having on your professional life, there’s a good chance they’ll oblige. Bury Unfavorable Information Most people don’t search past the first page or two of Google results, so when you’re unable to have all the problematic content plaguing your name taken down, push search results to the bottom of the list. Accomplish this by creating a website with your name as the URL, a blog, establishing profiles on a few social networks you’re not already on and even starting an account on review sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor. Hire a Reputation Management Service It’s not entirely necessary to hire a reputation management service to refresh your online image, but if you have a big issue or are not too tech savvy, this might be your best route. These people are professionals, so you’ll be ready to run for office after they work their magic. Carefully Monitor Your Newly Tidy Online Presence After giving your online presence an overhaul, thoroughly screen it to ensure it stays squeaky clean. Set up Google alerts with your name and use a social listening tool like Social Mention to track what people say about you. Finding the right fit in the competitive Miami hospitality industry can be challenging, so allow RMG Staffing to guide your search. Choose from various temp-to-hire, direct hire and payroll staffing positions, as well as temporary staffing for banquet events. Contact us today to get started!

What Should You Learn From Job Rejection?

Finding out you weren’t chosen for a job is always a bit of a letdown — even if you weren’t sure you wanted it in the first place. After taking the time to interview with a company, it never feels good to know the hiring manager decided another candidate was a better fit. Instead of becoming discouraged and viewing the experience as a waste of energy, consider it a valuable learning opportunity. Reflect on what when wrong, so you can refine your strategy for next time. Use these tips to learn from your mistakes and move on. Refine Your Sales Pitch If you don’t have a solid grasp of your strengths, consider this a wake-up call. Interviewers want you to sell yourself. If you’re not sure why you should be hired, you can’t expect them to take a chance on you. Sharpen your sales pitch before embarking on another interview. Ask Better Questions Preparing answers for questions the interviewer asks is only part of the process. To make a great impression, arrive with a list of pointed, in-depth inquiries. This shows you’re truly interested in the job and want to learn as much about it as possible. This is the problem if your questions mainly cover salary and vacation time. Keep Your Ego in Check There’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and crossing it is a detrimental mistake. No one wants to hire a cocky candidate with a giant ego, so remain humble throughout the interview. Show gratitude to the hiring manager for taking the time to meet with you and behave in a respectful manner to everyone you meet — from the receptionist to the department intern. Don’t Get Ahead of Yourself. It’s always exciting to leave a job interview feeling like you nailed it; however, assuming you’ll receive an offer only sets you up for disappointment. Being hopeful you’ll get the job is great, but don’t start telling people it’s a sure thing until it is. Every Job Isn’t the Right Fit. In addition to choosing the candidate with the sharpest skills, hiring managers also seek the perfect cultural fit. Different people thrive in various work environments, so it’s possible the company just isn’t the right place for you. Consider yourself lucky the interviewer realized this upfront, so you didn’t have to waste time in a job you’d quickly grow to hate. Have a little trouble finding the right career fit? Contact RMG Staffing. Choose from various Miami employment options in the hospitality industry, including temp-to-hire, direct hire and payroll staffing positions, and temporary staffing for banquet events.