How to Hire Client Services: Building a High-Impact Team for Customer Success

If you ask me, hiring client services staff is one of those business moves that looks deceptively simple—until you’re knee-deep in resumes and wondering why your “people person” keeps ghosting customers at 3 p.m. on a Friday. Whether you’re running a single-location restaurant, managing a regional franchise, or scaling a retail chain, getting your client service team right can make or break your brand’s reputation. Let’s talk about how to recruit, hire, and keep the kind of folks who turn first-timers into loyal fans.

Why Hiring Client Services Is So Much More Than Filling Seats

Ever notice how the best customer experiences feel almost effortless? That’s no accident. When you hire client services staff who genuinely care, you’re not just plugging gaps in your schedule—you’re investing in your business’s future. According to industry research, high turnover in client-facing roles can cost restaurants and retailers thousands each year—not just in training costs, but in lost sales and damaged reputations.

But here’s the kicker: Recruiting client service teams is about more than charisma and a firm handshake. It’s about finding folks who can juggle customer needs, company policies, and the occasional curveball (like a surprise health inspection or a viral TikTok review). If you’re struggling with this, you’re not alone—many businesses are rethinking their approach to hiring and retention as the labor market shifts.

The Real Cost of Getting It Wrong

• Lost revenue from unhappy customers walking out the door
• Time wasted on constant rehiring and retraining
• Negative online reviews that stick around longer than last year’s holiday decorations

If you want to keep your business humming, it pays—literally—to understand the real cost of an employee and invest in hiring right the first time.

How to Hire Customer Service Staff Who Stick Around (and Actually Care)

Let me explain: The secret sauce isn’t just about posting a job ad and hoping for the best. To hire customer service support that lasts, you need a process that’s fast, fair, and focused on fit. Here’s how savvy owners approach it:

1. Craft Job Descriptions That Attract the Right People

Your job post is your first handshake. Make it count! Highlight growth opportunities, flexibility, and any unique perks—like instant pay access or team lunches. For inspiration, check out these job posting examples for hourly workers.

2. Use Smart Screening Tools and Automation

If you’re still sorting resumes by hand, you’re missing out. Platforms like Workstream’s hiring automation suite let you automate screening questions, schedule interviews by text, and even reduce interview no-shows by 55%. That means less admin work for you—and a smoother experience for candidates.

3. Interview for Attitude as Much as Experience

You can teach someone how to use your POS system; it’s much harder to teach empathy or resilience. Ask questions that reveal how candidates handle stress or solve problems on the fly. Need ideas? Here are some motivational interviewing techniques and cultural fit interview questions.

4. Prioritize Onboarding—Don’t Just Throw Them in the Deep End

A rushed onboarding is like sending someone into a busy kitchen without telling them where the knives are. Use digital onboarding tools to get paperwork done fast and focus on real training. See how top brands approach onboarding with these employee onboarding statistics and onboarding templates.

Recruiting Your Client Relations Team: Practical Tips (and Pitfalls to Dodge)

Recruiting a client relations team isn’t just about finding warm bodies—it’s about building trust with your customers from day one. Here are some practical tips:

• Tap Into Multiple Channels: Don’t rely solely on job boards. Use social media (yes, even Instagram—see these tips for hiring on Instagram), employee referrals, and local networks.
• Move Fast: The best candidates don’t wait around. With tools like Workstream, you can cut time-to-hire in half—no joke.
• Focus on Retention from Day One: Offer benefits that matter (think flexible schedules or daily pay). Learn more about the impact of benefits on recruitment and retention.
• Avoid Common Mistakes: Don’t skip background checks or reference calls. And never underestimate the power of a well-run orientation session—here’s how to conduct an effective training session.

Pitfalls That Trip Up Even Seasoned Owners

• Hiring too quickly just to fill a shift (you’ll pay for it later)
• Ignoring culture fit—one bad apple can spoil the bunch
• Overlooking compliance details (trust me, lawsuits aren’t cheap—Workstream users save up to $25K/year on legal headaches)

If you’re worried about compliance, check out these guidelines from the Department of Labor on recordkeeping. (Disclaimer: This isn’t legal advice—always consult a pro for complex cases!)

The Human Side: Engagement, Communication, and Keeping Morale High

I’ll be honest: Even the most talented client service team will burn out if they feel ignored or overworked. It’s not just about hiring—it’s about keeping people happy once they’re on board.

The Power of Engagement and Recognition

Recognition doesn’t have to mean bonuses (though those help—see this survey on company bonuses). Sometimes it’s as simple as celebrating work anniversaries or giving public shout-outs. For ideas, read this guide to work anniversary celebrations.

Communication Is Everything (Really)

If your team feels out of the loop, customer service suffers—fast. Explore solutions for better frontline communication in this resource from Axonify Communications. And don’t forget: regular feedback sessions help nip issues in the bud before they become full-blown dramas.

The Role of Scheduling and Flexibility

No one wants to miss their kid’s soccer game because of a last-minute schedule change. Smart scheduling tools (like those in Workstream) can save hours per week and reduce no-shows by automating shift swaps and reminders. For more on efficient scheduling, check out this 24-hour schedule template.

Conclusion: Building a Client Service Dream Team Starts with Smart Hiring

If you want to hire client services pros who stick around and make your customers rave about you, it takes more than luck—it takes strategy, empathy, and the right technology. From writing compelling job ads to onboarding with care, every step matters. And honestly? The right platform can make all the difference.

If you’re ready to make hiring less of a headache—and maybe even fun—consider exploring what Workstream has to offer for hiring automation, onboarding, scheduling, and more.

Want More Resources?

• Streamline restaurant hiring with these tips
• Spot committed employees before you hire them
• Make your job postings stand out from the crowd
• Learn more about Workstream’s approach to new hire onboarding
• Contact Workstream for personalized support