The Culinary Institute of America is hosting one of its biggest career fairs in the school’s history today. More than 250 recruiters and human resources professionals from the foodservice and hospitality industries are seeking their next top chefs on the Hyde Park, N.Y., campus, which holds four career fairs each year.
Companies say they are hiring for positions in:
- Kitchen and dining-room operations
- Management
- Beverage operations
According to CIA’s survey, conducted in advance of the career fair, recruiters are looking for candidates with:
- Previous work experience
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
It might be good time to be looking for a job in the industry. The National Restaurant Association announced in its 2012 industry forecast that restaurants are expected to outpace national job growth and reach record sales. Restaurant employment is forecast to hit nearly 13 million, or 10% of the U.S. workforce.
Last week, the Labor Department reported that employers brought the unemployment rate down for the fifth consecutive month, with 243,000 jobs added in January, compared with 203,000 in December. The report exceeded economists’ expectations; however, about 6 million jobs are needed to return to the 2008 employment level.
At the past eight CIA job fairs, there were more companies and more interviews compared with the same season the year before. This year, three-quarters of companies are adding more jobs than they did in 2011.
Keep an eye in ProChef SmartBrief and Restaurant SmartBrief for job listings. Learn more about featuring your job listings at SmartBrief.