Tony Alexander - How To Handle Staff Shortages
Economist Tony Alexander brings a wealth of knowledge to New Zealanders in his weekly newsletter ‘Tony’s Thoughts’. Drawing on his impressive tenure with some of New Zealand and Australia’s leading banks, he aims to translate developments and trends in the economics sphere into a language that people can understand.
In his most recent newsletter Tony spoke about the current staff shortages New Zealand businesses are facing, the impact this has on our economy and what can be done to mitigate the risk to your business at a time where skilled workers are hard to find. The information pertains to New Zealand, however, there are still many key takeaways that can be applied to the Australian candidate short market. Our own CEO Trish Mclean drew on her 20+ years in the recruitment industry and contributed to his findings which can be found on the last page of Tony’s feature here.
How are hospitality operators using recruitment analytics to hire better and faster? Hospoworld explains the data-driven approach transforming hiring in NZ and AU.
Need an experienced hospitality leader urgently? These proven strategies help NZ and AU venues attract and secure senior talent fast without compromising on quality.
Senior hospitality candidates evaluate much more than salary. Here is what hospitality leaders want before they say yes to a new role in NZ and AU.
You cannot afford to guess Salary is rarely the only reason a candidate accepts or rejects a role. But if your package is out of step with the market, the best people will not even get to the interview stage. They will see the number and move on. In a sector where skilled professionals at management and chef level are in genuinely short supply, getting your salary positioning right is not a nice-to-have. It is a competitive advantage. What the Market Is Paying Hospoworld consultants have access to live salary data across New Zealand and Australia every single week. Here is the current landscape for permanent management-level roles. Why Operators Get This Wrong The most common mistake is benchmarking against what you paid last time. The market moves fast. A salary that attracted strong candidates 18 months ago may now sit below the midpoint of what comparable roles are offering. The second mistake is treating base salary as the only number that matters. Candidates in this space are sophisticated. They look at the total package: performance bonuses, meals, accommodation, professional development, flexibility and genuine growth pathways. The Cost of Not Getting it Right A candidate who accepts a below-market salary often does so with one foot out the door. They keep their options open. Six months in, they move. You absorb the cost of another recruitment process, a gap in operations and the time it takes a new hire to reach full productivity. Get the number right the first time and you protect your investment in that hire. Three Steps to a Stronger Salary Offer Request a current salary benchmark from your Hospoworld consultant before you post the role. We will give you a live read on what comparable candidates in your market are currently earning. Build flexibility into your offer. Know your floor and your ceiling before you make the call. Candidates respect a confident, clear offer. Present the full package. If your base sits at the midpoint but your benefits are strong, lead with the total value. Make it easy for the candidate to say yes. Ready to check your salary positioning before your next hire? Talk to Hospoworld. We benchmark salaries across NZ and AU every week and we will give you a straight answer. Visit www.hospoworld.com to connect with your nearest consultant.
Staff retention in hospitality is declining. Discover key insights and strategies to improve retention in your business.
Explore high-paying hospitality roles in NZ, including Venue GMs & Executive Chefs. Find out what it takes to succeed today!
Top candidates aren't on job boards. Learn how to find the best talent in hospitality with our expert recruitment services.
Learn how senior hospitality candidates interpret job ads to assess culture & growth. Prepare effectively for your next career move.
Discover how hospitality professionals in Australia and New Zealand can strategically pivot their careers, leveraging skills, networking and market insights to find the right opportunities.
In today’s competitive hospitality market across Australia and New Zealand, retention is considered a survival strategy and has become a necessity. High turnover continues to challenge venues, yet one key insight is often overlooked: Retention begins during recruitment and not after onboarding. Hiring the right people is only part of the solution. Setting clear expectations, aligning values and creating early engagement can significantly improve long-term retention. Why This Matters Candidates in hospitality are no longer just looking for a job. They’re looking for stability, career growth and a positive workplace culture. If these aren’t communicated early on, even the best hires may leave within months. 3 Practical Tips to Improve Retention Through Recruitment 1. Hire for Culture & Skill Technical skills can be trained, but attitude and cultural fit are harder to change. Screen for alignment with your team’s pace, values and service style. 2. Be Transparent About the Role Clearly communicate hours, peak periods and expectations. Misaligned expectations are one of the top causes of early turnover. 3. Create a Strong First Impression Your hiring process reflects your brand. Prompt communication, organised interviews, and a warm onboarding experience build trust from day one. Retention-Focused Hiring Checklist ☐ Clear and accurate job descriptions ☐ Defined career progression pathways ☐ Structured onboarding plan (first 30 days) ☐ Competitive and transparent compensation ☐ Strong employer branding (reviews, social presence) ☐ Regular communication during hiring process ☐ Feedback loop for unsuccessful candidates Take Action Audit Your Current Hiring Process Map out your candidate journey from the job ad to the first shift. Identify where candidates may feel uncertain or disengaged. Introduce a Realistic Job Preview Offer trial shifts or honest walkthroughs of a typical workday. This filters out mismatched candidates early and builds commitment from those who stay. Key Takeaway Retention is about hiring smarter from the start. Businesses that invest in better recruitment processes will see stronger teams, improved morale and ultimately, better guest experiences. Ready to Build a More Reliable Team? If you want to reduce turnover and attract hospitality talent that stays, Hospoworld Resourcing can help. Our tailored recruitment approach connects you with candidates who fit your business. Visit these pages on our website to learn more and access additional hiring resources that can transform your team’s stability and performance: Our Recruiting Expertise Insights (Blogs)