How to Hire Gig Workers in 2024

Gig workers and the gig economy continue to attract attention and play a significant role in hiring. This way of working has become popular as it gives people more freedom and lets them earn money in different ways.

But hiring gig workers isn't as simple as posting a job ad and picking the first person who applies. It's more about understanding your needs and leveraging the right technology to find the right people.

In this blog, we'll give you tips on how to hire gig workers effectively. From figuring out what you need to write job ads to picking the right platform and how to find the best workers.

Assessing Role Requirements & Attracting Candidates

Define your needs and expectations clearly to integrate gig workers effectively into your hospitality business. This ensures you attract the right talent and manage your workforce efficiently. 

Here’s a structured approach to setting up your gig worker requirements and attracting gig employees.

Identify Roles & Needs

Start by pinpointing the specific roles that gig workers can fill within your operation. Consider your business's diverse needs, from front-of-house roles like servers and bartenders to support roles like kitchen help during peak hours.

• Event-Based Needs: For instance, you may need banquet servers for scheduled events.
• Peak Times Support: Identify times when your regular staff might need support, such as weekends or holidays, and plan to bring in gig workers to ease the workload.
• Last-Minute Support: Staff callouts are inevitable but having a back pocket resource to find help on-demand can be a lifesaver.

Determine the Frequency and Duration of Employment

Understanding the frequency and duration for which you need gig workers will help in planning and will clarify your postings:

• Single Events: Some roles may be event-specific, requiring workers for just a day or evening.
• Recurring Needs: Other roles may be needed regularly, necessitating a more permanent part-time position to cover busy periods.

Craft Effective Job Descriptions

A well-crafted job description is vital to attract suitable gig workers. It should be clear, concise, and tailored to the gig economy:

• Clarity in Responsibilities: Describe the tasks clearly. For example, "You will serve food and drinks to guests at the event and ensure a pleasant dining experience."
• Required Skills: Specify the essential skills. For example, bartenders should know about mixology and customer service.
• Benefits of the Role: Highlight the role's advantages, such as flexible hours, competitive pay, and the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment.

Promote the Job

Once you have a clear idea of what you need from your gig workers and have prepared the job descriptions:

• Utilize Appropriate Platforms: Choose platforms known for hospitality gig work, like shiftNOW, where you can reach pre-vetted workers who are experienced in the industry.
• Communicate Expectations Clearly: Ensure that your advertisements effectively communicate the job scope, duration, and perks. This transparency helps attract workers who are the best fit for your needs.

Choosing the Right Platform

When you're looking for gig workers, picking the right platform is important. Here's a simple guide to help you choose:

Different Gig Worker Platforms

1. ShiftNOW (Hospitality Industry): ShiftNOW helps hospitality businesses find gig workers for events, restaurants, hotels, and more.
2. TaskRabbit (Home Services): TaskRabbit connects people with gig workers for tasks like cleaning, assembling furniture, and fixing things at home. A common choice for workers looking for a side hustle.
3. Upwork (Freelance Services): Upwork offers freelance jobs like design, writing, programming, and social media marketing. Great option for small businesses looking to eventually hire full-time employees through the platform.

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Platform

• Industry Focus: Pick a platform that fits your industry. For example, if you're in hospitality, ShiftNOW is a good choice.
• Reputation: Check reviews and feedback to see if the platform is reliable and liked by businesses and gig workers.
• Ease of Use: Choose a platform that's easy to use, where you can post gig jobs and find workers without any hassle.

Tips for Maximizing the Features and Functionality of Chosen Platforms

• Complete Your Profile: Give detailed info about your business and the jobs you're hiring for.
• Use Search Filters: Use filters to find workers who match what you need in terms of skills and availability.
• Communicate Clearly: Be clear about what you need and what the job opportunities involve to avoid any confusion.‍
• Build Relationships: Treat gig workers well and give feedback to build good relationships and keep them coming back.

Comparison of Gig Worker Platforms

By considering these and using the features on your chosen platform, you can find gig workers easily and make the hiring process smooth.

Attracting Top Talent: Strategies for Success

When you want to hire gig workers, it's important to make your job postings really appealing. Here's how you can do it:

Craft Compelling Job Postings

Be Clear and Simple: Keep your posting concise and to the point so that prospective applicants can quickly decide whether or not they want to apply.

Talk About the Good Stuff: Tell gig workers about the good things they'll get from working with you, like flexible hours, good pay, and chances to learn and grow.

Give Details: Tell gig workers exactly what they'll be doing, when, and where. This helps them know if they can do the job and if it fits with their schedule.

Leverage Keywords and Tags

Use the Right Words: Use words related to the job and skills needed. This helps gig workers find your job postings more easily.

Use Tags Well: Use tags on gig worker websites to describe your job accurately. This helps the right gig workers see your job.

Showcase Company Culture and Values

Talk About Your Company: Use your job posting to tell gig workers what your company is like and what you believe in. Explain why they'd want to work with you.

Share Good Reviews: If you have good reviews from other gig workers, include some quotes. This makes gig workers trust you more and want to work with you.

Offer Competitive Compensation

Fair Pay: Make sure your pay rates are competitive. If possible, mention the pay rate upfront to attract gig workers looking for fair compensation.

Incentives: Consider offering bonuses or incentives for exceptional performance or completing specific tasks. This can motivate gig workers and make your job posting more attractive.

Provide Clear Communication Channels

Accessibility: Ensure gig workers know how to reach you for questions or clarifications. Provide clear contact information or instructions on how to get in touch.

Response Time: Commit to responding promptly to inquiries or applications. This shows respect for gig workers' time and interest in your opportunity.

Embracing the Gig Economy in Hospitality

Hiring gig economy workers can be a smart move for businesses, offering flexibility, scalability, and access to different talents. Following the tips shared here can help businesses find the right people for the job.

For those trying to figure out how to find hospitality gig workers, shiftNOW stands out as a top choice. It's easy to use, focuses on experienced workers, and fits well with the hospitality industry.

As businesses keep adapting to changes in the workforce, embracing gig work can be a part of staying ahead. By being flexible and seeing the benefits of gig work, businesses can succeed.

Overall, the gig economy offers a chance for businesses to rethink how they hire, tap into a wide range of talents, and adjust to new workforce needs.