From Crisis to Comeback: Solving the Hospitality Staffing Shortage

You’re juggling dozens of open positions, trying to keep up with growing business demands, and every time you post a job, the response is… crickets. Or worse, you find that seemingly perfect candidate, schedule an interview, and they disappear. If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. In fact, in our recent survey of over 150 hospitality hiring professionals, a staggering 72% said that finding qualified candidates is their biggest challenge. Housekeeping, food and beverage, and front desk roles are the hardest to fill across the board. 

Why Does Hospitality Hiring Feel Impossible Right Now?

The reality is, the hospitality industry is facing a staffing crisis. Two-thirds of companies report being understaffed, and the reasons are both familiar and frustrating:

• Qualified Candidate Shortages – More than 58% of hiring professionals say they simply can’t find the right people for the job.
• Budget Constraints – With 29% of organizations limited by tight budgets, hiring the staff you need isn’t always an option.
• High Turnover – Nearly 26% of respondents are stuck in a vicious cycle of hiring, training, and losing employees.

And it’s not just about finding people—it’s about finding them fast. While 70% of hospitality companies aim to complete their hiring process within two weeks, nearly 30% admit that their timelines are actually getting longer. Every extra day spent on hiring is another day your existing team is overworked, your service suffers, and your stress levels rise.

What Can You Do to Make an Impact?

The good news is, there are strategies that work—and they’re backed by data. Here’s how hospitality organizations are tackling today’s hiring challenges and building stronger, more resilient teams.

Speed Up Your Hiring Process

Let’s face it: the longer it takes to respond to applicants, the more likely they’ll move on to another offer. And when 51% of organizations respond to candidates in less than 24 hours, speed isn’t just important—it’s essential.

Pro tip: If your hiring process feels sluggish, consider leveraging technology to streamline it. Hiring platforms like Hireology can automate candidate tracking, simplify communication, and help you make hotel staffing solutions faster.

Make Your Compensation Stand Out

Yes, money matters—52% of hospitality companies have increased starting salaries to attract talent. But today’s workforce wants more than just a paycheck. Candidates are asking for:

• Workplace Culture – 57% prioritize a positive, inclusive environment.
• Schedule Flexibility – 52% want work-life balance to be more than just a buzzword.
• Career Growth – 30% are looking for opportunities to advance.

In a competitive market, creating an irresistible employee value proposition (EVP) that includes these elements isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have.

The Bottom Line

Hiring in hospitality isn’t easy—and it’s not getting easier anytime soon. But with the right strategies and tools, you can overcome the challenges, attract the right talent, and build a team that will help your organization thrive. So, the next time you’re staring at that growing list of open positions, remember: you’re not alone in this. The staffing crisis is real, but so is the opportunity to rise above it. By acting quickly, offering meaningful benefits, and getting creative with your hiring strategies, you can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s success. 

Let’s rewrite the script on hospitality hiring—together.