Where Restaurants Can Find the Best Staff (Without Paying a Dime!)

Hiring the right employees can make or break your business, and it all starts with posting a job and finding the perfect applicants. To help you out in this difficult process, we’ll look at some FREE ways to post restaurant jobs, including free job boards, social media platforms and local community boards.

Best Restaurant Job Search Sites With Free Posting

When it comes to restaurant job recruitment, using free job posting sites for restaurants is an efficient way to save on hiring costs without compromising on quality. There are several hiring platforms that allow you to post restaurant jobs for free, offering specialized features to streamline your recruitment process.

Platform	Pros	Cons	Specialized for Hospitality	Extra Features
OysterLink	Free job description templates; no limit on number of jobs	Relatively new	YES	Paycheck calculator; Interview questions
Indeed	Large talent pool	Pay-to-boost structure	NO	Mobile app
Glassdoor	Company reviews	Anonymous revie; some can be fake	NO	Partnered with Indeed
SimplyHired	Partnered with Indeed	Have to post a job on Indeed to appear	NO	Resume builder
Talent.com	Large global reach	Some job listings are fake	NO	AI-powered system
Handshake	Access to young workforce	Not suitable for managerial roles	NO	Career tips section
Ladders	Focus on well-paying jobs	Niche platform mainly for managerial roles and IT	NO	Resume services
Upwork	Flexibility	Hard to find hospitality professionals	NO	Great customer support
LinkedIn	Largest job platform	Hard to make a job ad stand out	NO	Easy apply button

1. OysterLink

If you want to know where to find restaurant employees, OysterLink is the answer. OysterLink is a job platform designed specifically for the restaurant and hospitality industries, making it stand out from the other general job boards on this list.

OysterLink also has useful job descriptions that employers can use when crafting their job ads. Since the job descriptions are tailored for hospitality positions like Bartender, Chef or Waiter/Waitress, among others, they’re ready to go out of the box with minimal tweaks.

OysterLink Pros

The biggest pro of using OysterLink is how easy it is to post a job. The platform is designed to be straightforward, allowing you to post as many job listings as you want quickly and without complicated steps. Plus, it’s specific to restaurants, meaning the jobs are better suited for your needs.

OysterLink Cons

Being a newer platform, the biggest downside of OysterLink is its smaller talent pool compared to larger job boards. That being said, they still have well over 150,000 hospitality and restaurant professionals, and since they’re all specifically looking for jobs in this niche, the platform is arguably more valuable than competitors like Indeed or ZipRecruiter.

2. Indeed

Indeed is one of the most popular job boards worldwide, with millions of listings from various industries, including hospitality. It’s used by restaurant owners and managers because of its broad reach and large pool of people looking for work.

Indeed Pros

The biggest advantage of Indeed is its size.  Posting on the platform exposes your job ad to a large audience. Even though posting is free, you can also boost your listings to reach more candidates and set a daily ad budget. 

Indeed Cons

The largest downside of Indeed is that it’s not restaurant-specific, which means your job post may get lost in a sea of unrelated listings. On top of that, because of how large the platform has gotten, the competition for top candidates is fierce.

Last but not least, the pay-to-boost structure is quite expensive if you decide to set a budget. You can spend as little as $5 per day, but that won’t get you anywhere. To get the most out of your ad on Indeed, you may have to spend $150 per day. If you want to post your best restaurant jobs for free, Indeed may not be the best option unless you’re willing to budget for sponsored promotions.

3. Glassdoor

Glassdoor is another major player in the job board scene, with a focus on transparency through company reviews. It’s often used by restaurant owners because it partners with Indeed, so your job listing gets extra visibility on both platforms. Glassdoor also provides reviews of your restaurant, helping you establish credibility and find restaurant employees.

Glassdoor Pros

The fact that Glassdoor is partnered with Indeed means you’ll get your job ad visible on two boards at once. Plus, prospective employees can read reviews about your restaurant, which could attract top talent provided your reviews are good.

Glassdoor Cons

That being said, since the reviews are anonymous, your establishment may have less-than-ideal reviews which could make candidates hesitant to apply. Glassdoor does a good job of weeding out fake reviews, but they can still get through once in a while.

Another drawback is that Glassdoor, like Indeed, is not restaurant-specific, so it’s harder to attract the right audience. You also have to pay to boost job listings if you want more visibility, same as on Indeed.

4. SimplyHired

SimplyHired, just like Glassdoor, is a partner of Indeed. It is a general job board that’s best known for its simple interface and mobile app, making it convenient for employers who need quick access to job postings. It’s a good option if you’re trying to figure out how to find restaurant employees across multiple platforms.

SimplyHired Pros

The benefit of SimplyHired lies in its massive reach. Since it’s connected to Indeed, your job posting gets double the exposure. The mobile app makes it simple to manage postings on the go.

SimplyHired Cons

Because it’s not restaurant-specific, it may take more time to sift through applicants on SimplyHired who aren’t a good fit. Another downside is that you have to post a job ad on Indeed for it to appear on SimplyHired. This isn’t a big issue since you’re getting more exposure, but you still need to register on Indeed.

5. Talent.com

Talent.com is a global job board that offers many different job listings across dozens of industries, including restaurants and hospitality. It’s an okay choice if you’re focused on hiring restaurant employees for your establishment.

Talent.com Pros

The main draw of Talent.com is its reach. Much like Indeed, it has a lot of professionals seeking work who are eager to prove themselves and show employers what they’re capable of. Another pro is the well-designed user interface.

Talent.com Cons

One con is that the platform lacks advanced filtering options that you might need if you’re looking for highly specialized candidates. And, like many others, it’s not designed specifically for restaurant jobs, so your listing may not reach as targeted an audience as you’d hope.

To top it all off, some Reddit users have reported that a lot of job ads are fake listings or appear to be a scam to gather personal information. Make sure to check the job and verify it’s legit if you’re an employee prior to entering your personal information.

6. Handshake

Handshake is a job platform that connects employers with recent college graduates. It’s well-suited for restaurants looking for young and eager employees who are fresh out of school. This makes it a great choice if you’re not necessarily seeking experienced candidates but instead looking for those who want to prove themselves in the industry.

Handshake Pros

The biggest pro of Handshake is its access to a young and willing workforce. If you’re hiring for entry-level roles like Host or Server, it’s a great option. It’s not among the best restaurant job search sites in terms of finding candidates with experience, but it excels in attracting energetic talent who’s ready to learn.

Handshake Cons

The downside is that Handshake is not a good fit if you’re looking for experienced staff. Since most of its users are students or recent grads, you won’t find seasoned professionals here. Therefore, hiring for roles like Hotel Manager or Restaurant Manager is next to impossible.

7. Ladders

Ladders focuses on high-paying jobs for experienced professionals, and while it’s more geared toward industries like IT and finance, it can still be useful for certain hospitality roles. If you’re hiring for positions such as an Event Manager or Event Planner, Ladders might be worth exploring.

Ladders Pros

The pros of Ladders include a user-friendly interface and its focus on well-paying jobs, which could help attract high-caliber candidates. It’s a good platform to explore if you’re hiring for managerial or other high-level roles within a restaurant.

Ladders Cons

However, it’s not the right choice for typical restaurant roles like Cooks, Chefs or Servers. It’s more of a niche platform, making it less relevant for most restaurant hiring needs. In fact, it’s hardly one of the top culinary job boards, but it has value for certain leadership roles.

8. UpWork

UpWork is a freelancing platform where employers can post jobs and connect with freelancers. While it’s not traditional for restaurant hiring, it could be useful for temporary or specialized tasks, like marketing or event planning. There are even open positions for Waiters and Cooks to help out with catering events.

UpWork Pros

The main advantage of UpWork is its flexibility. You can post ads and get applicants from all over the world. It’s easy to use, and you can quickly access a wide range of talent. Plus, it’s not that difficult to sign up and post a job.

UpWork Cons

The downside of UpWork is that many applicants may not have the experience you’re looking for and there’s no strong vetting process. It can take time to sift through unqualified candidates. Not to mention that finding applicants in your local area can be tricky since this is a global platform.

Therefore, UpWork is best suited for one-off projects and not full-time restaurant roles. You can still use it to hire for roles like Event Manager or Event Coordinator, or even Cooks and Hosts for one-off catering events, but that’s pretty much it.

9. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the largest professional networking site in the world, and while it’s not specific to the restaurant industry, it gives you access to a vast talent pool. You can post a restaurant job for free (though only one), making it a cost-effective option if you’re looking to fill just one role.

LinkedIn Pros

LinkedIn’s biggest strength is its sheer size and reach. You can connect with professionals from across the world and the United States, including those with hospitality experience. Plus, LinkedIn’s network-based approach allows you to view referrals and recommendations.

LinkedIn Cons

LinkedIn can be highly competitive, especially in the hospitality space. Since it’s not designed for restaurants, you may have to go through a lot of resumes and portfolios to find the right fit. On top of that, if you need to post more than one job, each one can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000, depending on location, establishment, etc.

Optimizing Your Free Restaurant Job Posting

To get the best results when posting on free recruitment tools for restaurants, ensure that your job descriptions are clear, specific, and compelling. Here are some tips to optimize free restaurant job postings:

1. Use Relevant Keywords: Use job titles such as “Server,” “Line Cook,” “Restaurant Manager,” and other commonly searched positions in the restaurant industry. This ensures your job posting will show up in relevant search results.
2. Incorporate SEO-friendly Descriptions: Include restaurant job descriptions templates that highlight job responsibilities, required skills, and qualifications. By utilizing free templates from platforms like OysterLink, you can ensure your posts are keyword-optimized and effective.
3. Highlight Employee Benefits: Candidates are more likely to apply if they know the perks of the job. Mention competitive wages, benefits or flexible working hours in your post to stand out.

Other Options To Post a Free Restaurant Job

In addition to the free job platforms above, here are some other ways you can promote your job opening and attract the right candidates without spending any money.

Social Media Platforms

Utilizing social media is a powerful way to reach potential candidates. Here are tailored strategies for various platforms:

• Facebook: Join local community groups related to hospitality jobs and share your job postings there. Utilize Facebook’s job posting feature to create detailed listings that can be easily shared.
• Instagram: Share behind-the-scenes photos or stories of your restaurant’s daily operations to showcase your work environment. Use relevant hashtags like #RestaurantJobs, #HiringNow, and #[YourCity]Jobs to increase visibility.
• LinkedIn: Post detailed job descriptions highlighting the benefits of working at your establishment. Engage with industry-specific groups to network with potential candidates.
• Twitter: Tweet concise job openings with a link to the application page. Use trending hashtags to reach a broader audience.

Craigslist

This might seem old-fashioned, but it still works. Depending on the area, some cities allow you to post an ad in the restaurant section. This can be a great thing since a lot of entry-level workers find their jobs exactly here, especially those looking for part-time work.

Search Engines

To attract more applicants, it’s crucial to ensure your job postings are search engine optimized (SEO). Use relevant keywords that potential candidates might search for, such as “restaurant server job in [City]” or “line cook position available.”

Incorporate these keywords naturally throughout the job description, including in the title, responsibilities and qualifications sections. Additionally, provide clear and detailed information about the role, required experience and benefits to improve the chances of your posting appearing in search results.

Local Community Boards

Engaging with local community boards can effectively reach potential candidates in your area. Identify both online and physical community boards where job seekers might look. For online boards, such as community Facebook groups or local forums, regularly post your job openings and interact with group members to answer any questions.

For physical boards, like those in community centers, libraries or coffee shops, create eye-catching flyers with tear-off contact information to attract attention. Ensure that your postings comply with any guidelines or regulations set by the community board administrators.

Culinary and Hospitality Schools

In addition to restaurant job postings sites, what better way to find the ideal candidate than in a culinary or hospitality school? See if any schools are interested in working with you or sending candidates your way.

If they are, you’ll probably never struggle to find good employees again since everyone who finishes culinary school is trained and has at least basic knowledge before they start working.

Employee Referral Programs

One effective yet often overlooked method for filling restaurant positions is through employee referral programs. Encouraging your current staff to refer qualified candidates can lead to high-quality hires who are already familiar with your establishment’s culture and expectations.

To incentivize participation, consider offering bonuses, additional time off, or other perks to employees whose referrals lead to successful hires. This approach not only reduces recruitment costs but also fosters a sense of involvement and loyalty among your team.

Word of Mouth

Last but not least, don’t forget to tell friends and family you’re looking for an employee since they might have a friend or a relative who’s interested. You’d be surprised how many people know someone who’s looking for a job, and often they won’t mind working an entry-level job as a Waiter or a Server, especially if they’re younger and looking to earn some extra money.

Conclusion

In today’s competitive restaurant industry, finding the best talent doesn’t have to come at a steep price. By leveraging free job posting platforms you can effectively attract high-quality candidates without breaking the bank.

These platforms offer both global reach and targeted audiences, allowing restaurant owners to post jobs efficiently while ensuring that their listings reach the right talent pool.

By also taking advantage of social media and local community boards, you expand your chances of finding employees who are not only qualified but truly passionate about working in the restaurant industry.