Recruitment trial secures roles for 35 hospitality staff

A prestigious Mayfair restaurant yet to open its doors to the public is working with the Westminster Works programme to pioneer a new team recruitment method. 

By forgoing the traditional CV and interview process in favour of trial shifts, 35 positions have been filled following the industry-first event. 

Step Ahead, the agency running the recruitment for the Westminster Works initiative, hosted the 'Recruitment Restaurant' on behalf of Mimosa at The Langham. The event took place at Westminster Kingsway College on Tuesday 5 March, resulting in 35 members of staff securing kitchen, bar or front-of-house positions. 

The industry-first initiative saw candidates participate in trial shifts recreating a live restaurant environment during a dinner service for 80 guests. It was run as part of Westminster Works, a scheme funded by Westminster City Council, developed in partnership with Step Ahead, New West End Company, Knightsbridge Partnership and AttisTowns and designed to help businesses in the hospitality hotspot of Westminster to attract and retain new talent. 

Recruitment success

Célia Sesma, HR and administrative coordinator for the operator of Mimosa, comments: "We are really happy about the response of the candidates and guests. It was great to get our of our comfort zone and we are keen to recruit on talent and attitude evidenced through trials – it really helps us to see the potential beyond a CV. We are very much looking forward to organising another event like this with StepAhead and the Westminster Works programme."

Eighty candidates participated in the trial shift, where they were observed and interviewed by management staff from Mimosa. They received comprehensive feedback from guests served, which helped determine the final hiring decisions. 

Places on the trial shifts were open to all Westminster Kingsway College students as well as those registered as part of the Westminster Works scheme. Successful candidates start training today (11 March), with the restaurant set to open later this month. 

On the same day, Westminster Works ran a separate jobs fair at London South Bank University. It attracted 13 employers from Westminster Hospitality and over 200 students. The employers have provided very positive feedback about the event, and 13 job offers have been made by two employers so far, with more set to be confirmed in the coming days. 

Westminster Works has already helped over 220 hospitality businesses recruit new staff and there are currently more than 100 live vacancies as part of the programme for a diverse range of roles in London's most prestigious hotels, bars and restaurants. Businesses looking to fill roles in their business can register their interest to join the scheme here. 

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