Understanding the Differences: Direct Hire vs. Temporary Contract Workers in the Hospitality Industry

The hospitality industry strives to deliver exceptional guest experiences, which requires a skilled and adaptable workforce. When building a team you can trust, properties face two choices: direct hiring or working with temporary hospitality staff. Both options have distinct advantages and potential drawbacks that can significantly impact operations, costs, and guest satisfaction. Curious about which model might benefit your property? Here’s what you need to know: 

Direct Hire: Building a Permanent Workforce

Direct hiring is the more traditional way of recruiting employees to join a company’s payroll permanently. These workers typically receive comprehensive benefits, including healthcare, paid time off, and job security, which fosters loyalty and long-term engagement.

One key advantage of direct hire in the hospitality industry is consistency. Full-time employees become deeply familiar with the company’s standards, culture, and processes, which often translates into exceptional service quality. Direct hires will likely invest in their roles by developing expertise and establishing strong relationships with colleagues and guests.

However, direct hiring can be quite costly. Recruitment processes are often lengthy, requiring significant advertising, interviewing, and onboarding investment. Additionally, fixed costs such as salaries and benefits persist, even during low-demand periods. 

Temporary Contract Workers: Flexibility and Scalability

Temporary contract workers, often sourced through staffing agencies, provide flexibility for hotels facing fluctuating demand. With this hiring strategy, departments can quickly scale their workforce up or down during peak seasons (such as summer, holidays, or significant events).

This approach can be incredibly beneficial for the property, especially during increased demand or to cover a permanent employee’s leave of absence. Your brand can avoid long-term commitments, as contractors are compensated only for hours worked and do not receive benefits. Temporary workers can also bring specialized skills for short-term projects, such as managing events or implementing new systems.

However, relying on temporary workers can come with drawbacks if you’re not mindful of your staffing agency. Short-term contractors often require more training to meet the company’s service standards, which can affect operational efficiency. Moreover, a lack of familiarity with the workplace culture or team dynamics might lead to inconsistent guest experiences. 

Although many staffing agencies focus on throughput, Hospitality Taskforce takes a different approach to sourcing temporary workers. We require each candidate to have a minimum of 10 years in their field and a demonstrated track record of excellence. Our contractors are elite and won’t need extensive training. We trust each one to contribute valuable skills and expertise to the property while seamlessly integrating with the permanent team. 

Choosing the Right Strategy

The decision between direct hire and temporary contract workers will depend on your property’s specific needs. While direct hires are needed to ensure a reliable core team and fully staffed departments, temporary contractors can accommodate seasonal or event-driven labor needs and provide extra coverage while full-time employees are on extended leave. 

If you want to work with the best temporary hospitality staff, we’d love to connect you with top-tier candidates. The first step is to contact our team or submit a request for proposal. We look forward to hearing from you and learning more about your needs!

Tips For Monitoring the Performance of Temporary Contractors

temporary taskforce contractors hotel hospitality

During the busy holiday season, you may seek additional help to get your property through the rush. If you’re exploring temporary hotel staffing, keeping performance monitoring in mind is important. Many property managers are hesitant to hire temporary contractors because of less-than-ideal experiences in the past. Still, with some proactive planning (and the right staffing agency), temp workers can be valuable to the team. Are you curious about how you can evaluate performance while keeping morale high? Here, we share tips to help you effectively check in with short-term staff. 

Set Clear Expectations Right Off the Bat 

Before interviewing temporary contractors, set yourself up for success by defining the scope, duration, and objectives you’re looking for. Outlining the assignment details will help the staffing agency determine the qualities and skill set that would perform well in the position–setting your property (and the candidate) up for a win right from the start. 

Monitor Progress 

Although each of our contractors possesses a wealth of expertise, we still encourage property managers or team leads to monitor progress and outcomes consistently. You can track progress through various mediums, including check-ins and reports. When evaluating temporary worker performance, use guidelines similar to those for your permanent staff. This can help you determine their contributions to the property and impact on your goals. 

Offer Feedback and Recognition

We strive to work with only the best talent, but even the best have room for improvement. Your honest feedback is critical for temporary workers, who can use it as a learning experience for future assignments. Of course, you should also give recognition when a contractor has gone above and beyond. At the end of the assignment, it is always helpful for the overall growth and quality of the task force industry if you can briefly summarize the contractor’s primary role, strengths, and any areas that can be improved. We know you are very busy, especially when your property utilizes task force services, so any feedback is very valuable and much appreciated. 

Temporary hotel staffing can play an essential role for properties, especially during the busiest months of the year. Although it may not seem worth the effort to track performance during short-term assignments, you may be surprised by how much you can learn from keeping notes and evaluating outcomes. We always love to hear feedback about our contractors and encourage you to share your thoughts. If you’re searching for extra assistance during the holiday season, we can help connect you with the top talent in the industry. Please contact us or submit an RFP to start the process. 

How We Can Help Your Company Get Through the Holiday Rush

How We Can Help Your Company Get Through the Holiday Rush

The holiday rush has officially begun! If you’ve found yourself caught off guard this year, we can help you connect with top-quality candidates for temporary positions. Whether you’re looking for short-term contractors to lend a hand during the next couple of months or need assistance with a longer-term project, call us. We’d love to help you fill temporary hospitality jobs with the most experienced candidates available. Are you curious how our contractors can provide value during the holiday rush? Here’s a look at how they can be an asset to your property: 

Generate Sales 

The holiday season provides an excellent opportunity for properties to rent event spaces or keep rooms fully booked. However, this endeavor requires a great sales and marketing team. If you’re short on sales staff and need extra assistance, we can connect you with high-quality candidates with a wealth of experience in this area. Whether you’re looking for a temporary Director of Sales, Sales Manager, or Director of Sales and Marketing, our contractors can step into these critical roles with little training. 

Keep Communication Running Smoothly

Although many reservations are made online, friendly reception staff is still necessary. If the phones are ringing off the wall and your permanent team members are overrun, it may be time to invest in temporary staffing solutions. We prioritize excellent communication, and each contractor we work with can expertly handle guest-facing tasks without missing a beat. Tensions run high during the holidays, and you need staff members who can diffuse difficult situations without getting stressed or overwhelmed. 

Streamline Operations 

Even during this busy season, it’s wise to streamline operations and plan for the upcoming year. Since we exclusively fill upper-level positions, our team members are uniquely equipped to help your team maximize efficiency and improve workflow. Each candidate has at least 10 years of experience in their field, and we consistently hear that our contractors provide exceptional insight and support. 

The holiday rush is already in full swing, and if your property could use some temporary support, we can help. Since 2003, Hospitality Taskforce has built an elite network of top contractors to fill temporary hospitality jobs. If you’re interested in connecting with the best talent in the industry, please contact our team or submit a request for a proposal. 

Common Mistakes Hospitality Companies Make During Confidential Executive Search

confidential executive search

If your property is in need of executives on a permanent or temporary basis, a confidential search may be beneficial. All properties require competent, experienced leaders to uphold and enhance the brand’s reputation, but these top-level candidates can be challenging to find. Interested in learning more about how to conduct confidential searches for temporary hotel staffing? Here, we share a few of the top mistakes that hospitality companies make during this type of hiring: 

Leaving the Candidate in the Dark 

The sensitive nature of confidential searches is innately secretive, but that doesn’t mean that candidates should be left in the dark. In order to successfully navigate the process and start off on the right foot, trust-building should happen right away. Don’t leave a candidate wondering why you’re opting for a confidential search, because they may come to unfavorable assumptions (read: that you’re blindsiding a current employee or that your company has a bad reputation). Regardless of your reasoning, it’s best to be upfront with interviewees so they know right away that your intentions are good. 

Forgetting to Sell the Brand

Contacting a candidate for a confidential search feels (and is) exclusive, but you shouldn’t forget to sell the brand during the interview process. Although most individuals will feel honored to be considered for this type of candidacy, the best talent will always have other options. While you’re conducting interviews, be sure to sell the brand. Get candidates excited about the possibility of the role, and do your part to ensure a smooth and convenient process for interviewees. 

Failing to Use a Reputable Staffing Agency 

Because confidential searches typically involve just a few key hiring managers, it’s easy for internal communication to go awry. To streamline the process for all involved, consider working with a leading staffing agency. With an elite network of professionals on your side, you’ll improve the chances of landing the ideal executive without having to worry about communication complications. 

Confidential searches are growing in popularity, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy to navigate. If you’re interested in conducting a confidential search for temporary hotel staffing, our team is here to help. We specialize in sourcing top talent for the hospitality industry, including executive-level positions. When you’re ready to learn more about working with us, please reach out or submit a request for proposal. We look forward to hearing from you and connecting you with qualified candidates who will bring years of expertise to your property.  

How Contract Workers Can Support Hotel Operations During Renovation

How Contract Workers Can Support Hotel Operations During Renovation

If hotel renovations are in the works for your property, you may already be thinking about how to navigate the changes ahead. Although renovated hotels often attract more guests and command higher room rates, there’s no getting around the fact that this time can be stressful for property managers and hotel workers. Whether the upgrades are imminent or you’re just beginning the planning process, you should know that temporary hospitality staff can help you make it through the renovation with minimal impact on operations. Interested in learning how our top-tier candidates can support your property before, during, and after a reno? Here’s what you should consider: 

An Extra Pair of Hands

When a renovation is underway, the property has a different feel. Staff members often feel flustered or overwhelmed, especially when certain areas are closed off. During this hectic time, having extra support from seasoned workers is helpful. If specific departments are stretched thin and need additional help, our contractors can step in without a second thought. Even with minimal training, you can expect the best from anyone we send your way. 

Project Management

At Hospitality Taskforce, we only consider the most experienced individuals. If you’re interested in working with someone who can take charge of a project at any stage, we can connect you with qualified contractors. Planning is a critical part of the renovation process, and the entire property can benefit from the expertise of a skilled project manager. 

Communication and Collaboration

While renovations are ongoing, guests’ concerns or questions aren’t uncommon. When you need someone who can professionally handle any situation with guests, we have contractors who fit the bill. Many of the independent contractors we work with have decades of experience in customer-facing positions, so you can feel confident in their communication and collaboration abilities. Many contractors have experience with renovations and can bring that knowledge to your team.

If you’re planning or executing renovations, congratulations! Upgrades have a great ROI, and chances are good that the short-term sacrifice will pay off. Although this process can be challenging, our contractors will support your team and minimize stress. If you’re interested in connecting with temporary hospitality staff who are familiar with renovation needs, please reach out to us. We’d love to connect you with quality candidates who can help you navigate renovations without a hitch. To learn more, please contact our team or submit an RFP. 

Surprising Tasks That Temporary Contractors Can Handle

Hospitality Taskforce can provide reinforcements if your property could use extra help during the busy season or if you need coverage for a planned maternity or medical leave. We pride ourselves on our elite network of professionals who can fill many temporary hospitality jobs. Our contractors are highly experienced and adaptable and can handle various tasks during their assignments. If you’re thinking about hiring one of our exceptional temporary workers, here are a few responsibilities you may be surprised to discover they can take on: 

Long-Term Projects

Many contractors are available for short-term roles, such as 30-60-90 days. Some are happy to accept longer assignments of up to several months. Regardless of the time you have in mind, our contractors can seamlessly transition into long-term projects. Because they’re well-versed in the changing nature of temporary positions, each independent contractor who works with us can fill in for projects that were started long before they joined the team. Whether you need someone to help plan an event several months down the road or work on an event already planned, we can connect you with the ideal candidate(s). 

Reception and Housekeeping Tasks

Each team member plays a critical role in keeping a property running smoothly, and even upper-level contractors can lend a hand to reception or housekeeping when needed. When these departments are short-staffed or overrun during the busy season, you can count on our temporary workers to jump in and lend a hand without a second thought. We focus on recruiting professional and friendly individuals for our roster so you can feel comfortable placing them in guest-facing roles. We recommend discussing expectations during the interview to ensure everyone is aligned and we find the right person for what is needed.

Short-term contractors can be valuable additions to your property, especially if you need coverage for an experienced full-time employee’s absence. We’d love to connect you with the best candidates available if you’re considering filling temporary hospitality jobs. Since our founding in 2003, we’ve built a network of hospitality professionals who can confidently and efficiently jump into any role. Please contact our team to learn more about the vacancies we fill and how our process works.

We look forward to hearing from you and learning more about how we can help your property meet and exceed guest expectations. 

Can Hospitality Contractors Fill Remote and Hybrid Positions?

We’re in the middle of the busiest time of the year for the hospitality industry. Whether you need extra coverage or are planning for an employee’s leave of absence, temporary hospitality staff can help. At Hospitality Taskforce, we specialize in sourcing the best talent for upper-level roles. If you’re thinking about hiring for temporary roles, you may be curious if our contractors can fill remote or hybrid positions. Here’s what you need to know: 

Consider the Responsibilities of the Position

We network with experienced contractors who can fill various important roles within the hospitality industry. Although many positions require a candidate to work in person at the property, other roles may be remote or hybrid, depending on your preferences. If the position they’re filling in for has previously been remote, you should feel confident that our contractors can step in without issue. Ultimately, the choice between in-person, remote, or a hybrid structure hinges on the job’s responsibilities and what will work well for the team. 

Provide an In-Person Training Period 

If you determine that a role such as Director of Finance or Director of Sales and Marketing would be well-suited to a remote or hybrid worker, we recommend starting with at least a few days of in-person training. This will allow the new hire to get a feel for the property and responsibilities and have their computer or other devices set up by the IT department. Plus, it’s always nice to put a face to a name. For longer-term temporary roles (upwards of three months), it may be helpful to have the contractor come in occasionally to provide updates or get to know the team better. 

Although remote and hybrid roles are less common in the hospitality industry, they still exist and can be an excellent fit for the right candidates. Many upper-level professionals perform exceptionally well in these roles and will have no problem meeting (and exceeding) expectations. We’d be honored to be your first point of contact if you’re considering hiring temporary hospitality staff. With more than two decades in the industry, we’ve developed an elite network of contractors to fill any management-level position. Whether you’re specifically hiring for a remote or hybrid assignment or need someone to come in full-time, we can connect you with ideal candidates. Please contact our team or submit a request for a proposal to get started. 

What We Look For in a Contractor

On the search for upper-level hospitality taskforce jobs? Read on to learn more about what we look for in a contractor.

We encourage you to contact our team if you’re searching for hospitality taskforce jobs. Since our founding in 2003, we’ve built an elite network that benefits contractors and properties. We consistently source the highest quality candidates, so many clients trust us to fill temporary vacancies. As a top-tier staffing agency, we’re discerning who we work with. Curious about what we look for in a contractor? Here, we share the qualities that are most important to us. If you bring these to the table, we want to hear from you!

A Proven Record of Success

Part of the reason our clients trust us is because we prioritize experience. We believe there’s no substitute for a strong track record, so candidates must have at least ten years of experience in their preferred role. We’ve found that the fast-paced nature of temporary positions requires an individual who’s confident in their expertise and has excellent references to back them up. 

Adaptability & Flexibility

One of the most important qualities we look for in a candidate is adaptability. When stepping into a task force assignment, you join a team with an established group dynamic and existing relationships. Adapting and being flexible in your work style and approach is helpful. We love working with individuals who can feel at home at any property. Quickly immersing yourself in the hotel’s working culture and familiarizing yourself with the team is crucial to your success.

Willing to Learn (and Teach)

Even though we require candidates to have a wealth of experience, we strongly prefer contractors who keep an open mind on each assignment. To continue to improve your skill set, you should approach each opportunity with a willingness to learn. You never know what new knowledge you might pick up on the job! On the contrary, we encourage contractors to step into a mentor role when necessary and appropriate. If you have ideas for improving workflow, don’t hesitate to make suggestions once you have spent some time and built rapport with the team and your direct report. Your experience speaks for itself; most teams are happy to consider recommendations. 

With the busy season in full swing for the hospitality industry, many property managers are urgently hiring for temporary positions. Our staffing agency proudly connects high-quality candidates with upper-level roles in all departments. We’re always eager to meet individuals who exemplify the qualities above, so if you fit the description, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact our team if you’d like to learn more about upcoming hospitality taskforce jobs. 

Why Hospitality Candidate Experience Matters

Why Hospitality Candidate Experience Matters

As we head into the busiest season of the year for the hospitality industry, you may already be thinking about the coverage you need. If you anticipate a need for temporary hospitality staff, consider working with an agency to connect you with the highly experienced candidates you need. Whether you’re looking for a short-term Assistant General Manager, Director of Finance, Executive Chef, or other upper-level positions, we can assist you in finding the best fit. In our industry, there’s no substitute for experience. All aspects of your property’s success depend upon qualified individuals to create an unparalleled guest experience. Interested in learning more about why candidate experience is crucial? Here, we share a few reasons to never compromise on a solid background: 

Minimize Training Time 

Efficiency is critical during the summer months, so you’ll need someone who can step right into the role with minimal training. Each of our contractors has at least ten years of experience in their field, so you can feel confident that all responsibilities will be handled with expertise. Because our contractors are well-versed in temporary assignments, most will just need a quick overview of the property and expectations before starting. When you can save time and energy on training, other team members will be free to focus on their specific roles. 

Maintain Brand Reputation

In the hospitality industry, brand reputation is paramount. Your brand depends upon creating a positive guest experience, so prioritizing high-quality hires is necessary. Property managers who want to maintain (or improve) brand perception must be committed to finding excellent candidates for every position. If you’re tired of wasting time and energy reviewing sub-par resumes and conducting disappointing interviews, we can help. Tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll use our elite network to send you the best candidates. 

Experience is essential in any industry but especially critical for the hospitality sector. As we head into the summertime, you’re likely gearing up for an influx of guests. If you’re expecting a need for temporary coverage due to medical leave or parental leave, now is the time to start the search for contractors. If you have the coverage you need before the busy season is in full swing, you’ll ensure that your property is adequately prepared for the challenge ahead. When you’re ready to start finding qualified temporary hospitality staff, we’re here to help. Please submit an RFP or contact our team to discuss upcoming staffing needs. We look forward to hearing from you and connecting you with the most talented individuals in the hospitality industry. 

Can a Single Contractor Provide Coverage For Multiple Locations?

We’re gearing up for the busy season again in the hospitality industry. If you’re anticipating a need for temporary coverage, now is the time to reach out to an agency that specializes in hospitality temp staffing. If you have any questions about how our process works, we’re always here to help. One common question we get is whether a single contractor can cover scheduling gaps in multiple locations. The short answer is yes! Here we discuss how this arrangement would work so you can determine if it’s beneficial for your properties: 

How It Works

If you’re thinking about hiring temporary contractors, Hospitality Taskforce is the place to find them. Because short-term positions are so fast-paced, we require each candidate to have a minimum of 10 years of experience in their preferred role. If you’re not sure whether you need temporary contractors, take a moment to evaluate your coverage needs. For example, if you’re looking for at least 10 hours per week at each of your locations, you can almost certainly benefit from working with us. 

We understand the challenges of filling gaps across multiple locations, and we make it easy for property managers to connect with talented contractors. When determining whether one contractor can fill in for more than one location, consider the following: 

  • Are all properties located within manageable driving distance of each other? 
  • Will the schedule be predictable (i.e.: four hours on Monday and Wednesday mornings and five hours on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons)?
  • Is a similar skill set required to perform at each location? (i.e., system and market knowledge)

If you answered yes to these questions, then there’s a strong chance that we can pair you with a contractor who can provide coverage for more than one location. If you’re needing more than 40 hours per week across all locations, more than one contractor may be ideal. Regardless of what you’re looking for, one thing is true: you can’t afford to be understaffed at any property as we head into the busy season. 

When you’re ready to learn more about our hospitality temp staffing services, we’re always here to help. We only partner with the most experienced individuals and have built an elite network since our founding more than 20 years ago. If you have any questions about our process, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always happy to find solutions that will be the best fit for your properties and team members.