The Top 7 Hospitality Recruiters to Help You Find the Perfect Job

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• [et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="||0px|||" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.16" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.16" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_post_title author="off" date="off" comments="off" featured_image="off" _builder_version="4.16" title_font="|600|||||||" title_text_align="center" title_font_size="35px" title_line_height="1.3em" meta_font="||on||||||" meta_text_align="center" meta_text_color="#00843d" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.18.0" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.18.0" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.19.1" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][toc] After nearly coming to a standstill in 2020, the hospitality industry has rebounded in a big way, and that means companies that cut back on staff during the pandemic are once again hiring for growth.  Just because those opportunities exist doesn't always mean they're easy to find. An experienced recruiter can help job seekers navigate this landscape and get access to the positions that will advance their careers, and the seven on this list all fit that bill.   

• Benefits of Working with a Hospitality Recruiter

• In hospitality, as in many industries, who you know can sometimes feel as important as what you know when it comes to finding a great job. Hospitality recruiters have extensive industry contacts and are plugged into professional networks you may not have access to, helping you connect with the right people. These contacts can sometimes mean they get advance knowledge of openings before they make it to public job boards, opening up opportunities you would have had no way of finding otherwise.  A hospitality recruiter's knowledge is helpful in other ways, too. Their past experience placing candidates within companies gives them extra insight into their hiring process and company culture that may not be available otherwise. Because they're experts on making successful placements, they can help candidates identify positions that match their skills, experience, lifestyle, and personality, then guide them through the application and interview process to improve their odds of being hired.  Working with a recruiter could also help you earn more. Salary negotiation isn't a skill most job seekers have but it's something recruiters do frequently, and that expertise can ensure you're getting your full value from an employment contract. You also won't need to pay up front for these services. Most hospitality recruiters work on a contingency basis, which means they don't get paid unless you're hired--a bit of extra motivation to guide your search to a successful completion.   

• Who Are the Top 7 Hospitality Recruiters?

• Hospitality recruiters often specialize in a specific type of role or hierarchy level, such as hotel staff or executive searches. The firms below represent a range of specializations and niches within the broader hospitality and leisure sector. Whatever your area of expertise, one of them will likely be able to connect you with the right role to advance your career.   

• 1. Bristol Associates

• A boutique executive search firm founded in 1967, Bristol Associates has proven expertise spanning more than five decades. They take a people-first approach to recruitment, focusing on building relationships with both candidates and companies to connect the top hospitality talent from across the nation with the organizations who rely on their skills.  Bristol has experience recruiting candidates for a variety of niches and services in the hospitality industry. This includes hotels and resorts, hospital and healthcare, travel and tourism, casino gaming, food service, and even food and beverage manufacturing. As an executive recruiter, they are primarily focused on managerial and leadership roles. Examples of the types of roles they recruit for include Hotel Director, Managing Chef, or Resort General Manager. They also fill executive roles, including VP and c-level positions for multi-location hospitality corporations. Geographically, Bristol is based in the United States and fills positions across the country.  

• 2. Global Hospitality

• As you might guess from the name, Global Hospitality has an international reach, with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto and a network of hospitality professionals from all over the world. Their client-focused process and reputation for integrity have been at the heart of their success since they opened their doors in 1992, and their client list includes internationally-known theme parks, hotels, and resorts across North and South America, as well as Europe, Australia, and Asia.  Global Hospitality has an exclusive focus on placing management and senior-level professionals. Along with hotels, spas, and resorts, they have consulted for exclusive and distinguished private clubs across North America, along with organizations like campus dining or senior living communities. They're also experts in staffing solutions for food services businesses, including food and beverage production as well as stand-alone restaurants and dining services for other leisure institutions like sports arenas and casinos.   

• 3. Hospitality Talent Scouts

• Based in New York City, Hospitality Talent Scouts fills jobs at all levels of the hospitality and leisure industry, from entry-level opportunities within individual properties to corporate office executives, and any position in between. Their team is mostly focused on clients based in the United States, though they can place talent in locations around the globe.  HTS has a strong commitment to confidentiality and integrity that sets them apart from their competition. This is particularly important for a candidate who is still employed and doesn't want their current employer to learn about their search. Much of the staff at HTS started their career in hospitality, so they have a real-world understanding of what candidates in this field need from employers. They're also picky about which companies they'll represent, paying attention to things like their culture and training process that professionals want to know before they start working for a new company.   

• 4. Schrier Wirth Executive Search

• Schrier Wirth are specialists in hospitality and real estate recruiting. Their team has more than 50 years of combined experience in hotel operations, giving them the in-depth industry expertise to understand their customers' needs, on both the company and the candidate side of the equation. As a boutique search firm, they pride themselves on their responsiveness and ability to quickly answer questions and provide feedback throughout the recruiting process.  On the hospitality side of their work, Schrier Wirth has represented some of the most successful hotel owners and management companies in the United States. Since their founding in 1996, they have made successful placements in organizations ranging from hotels, resorts, and restaurants to conference centers, country clubs, and assisted living communities. They are also owned and managed entirely by women, making them a particularly great fit for female professionals in the hospitality space.   

• 5. KGillAssociates

• Based in Sarasota, Florida, KGillAssociates is a retained executive search firm for the global hospitality and leisure industry, with affiliations with top firms in these markets across Europe and the Americas. This lets them strike the ideal balance, with the personalized attention of a boutique firm and the network and resources of an international organization. They focus solely on retained search, allowing them to dedicate their full resources to each client and establish long-lasting client and candidate relationships.  The client list of KGillAssociates includes household names like AAA, Starwood Hotels, and Celebrity Cruises. They have strategic partnerships with Cayuga Hospitality Consultants and Global Recruiters, one way they're able to access phenomenal international talent so quickly for their clients. Common job titles for the positions they fill range from Managing Directors and HR Directors to VPs of Marketing, Sales, or Guest Satisfaction, all the way up through c-level positions like COO and CEO.   

• 6. Hospitality Staffing Search

• Hospitality Staffing Search is a leading recruiter of executive talent across the hospitality and leisure industry. Values like loyalty and confidentiality are at the heart of their promise to strive for excellence, placing qualified candidates who will make a long-term impact at companies that align to their passion and vision. While they're focused on hospitality organizations, they recruit for all positions within that niche, including housekeeping, food & beverage, IT, HR, legal, sales & marketing, finance, and operations professionals.  Hospitality Staffing Search is a particularly great choice for hotels and the candidates who work for them. Their client list includes influential global brands such as Hilton, Hyatt, Radison, and Choice Hotels. They back up their promise of excellence with a guarantee for each hire they help companies make, whether it's an on-site leader like a General Manager or a head office position like Chief Development Officer or Vice President of Operations.   

• 7. Coughlin & Associates

• While many recruiters fill a range of hospitality positions, Coughlin & Associates has a tighter focus, providing nationwide executive recruitment for the food industry. This niche specialization gives them in-depth knowledge of what a food industry business needs from its employees, and is one reason they have the ability to deliver results when others can't. Like other firms on this list, Coughlin & Associates is mostly focused on management and senior-level positions, including those at the executive level of an organization, which they recruit via either contingent or retained search. Their client list includes companies in food wholesale and manufacturing, along with restaurants and retail establishments. For candidates, their hands-on approach is their main appeal. They provide consulting and career tips in addition to their placement services, and follow-up with candidates after placements to ensure a smooth transition for both them and the company.   

• Choosing the Right Firm for Your Needs

• Recruiting is all about relationships. The best recruiter is one you feel comfortable working with and trust to have your career and interests at the forefront of their mind when they're selecting opportunities for you. Before you decide on a recruiter, schedule a call or meeting to chat with them about your resume, your goals, and the types of positions you're looking for. This will give you a sense of whether they're someone you want to work with and, if they are, get your search started on the right path. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]