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Overview
The Ghent, a new restaurant, needed to fully staffing both the front-of-house and back-of-house teams to meet a two-week opening deadline.
The challenge
- Candidate quality was disappointing
- Recruiting process was time intensive, with the team having to manually post across job boards
- Owners had just days to staff the restaurant
The solution
Reelist’s platform ran promotions for The Ghent’s jobs in targeted local campaigns on TikTok and Instagram. Job seekers could apply in just a few taps, without leaving the social channels. These applicants received an automatic text message with follow-up instructions, and The Ghent team could quickly see and engage 1:1 with applicants based on their qualifications.
The results
By meeting candidates where they already spend time online, The Ghent dramatically reduced ghosting across its hiring funnel. Targeted local campaigns on TikTok and Instagram drove interest, while a frictionless, tap-to-apply experience kept momentum high. Automatic text follow-ups ensured applicants knew exactly what to expect next, leading to a 90 percent drop in no-shows and far more reliable interview attendance.
Hiring moved faster by removing unnecessary steps between interest and engagement. Candidates could apply directly within social platforms, and the team at The Ghent was able to immediately review applicants and start one-to-one conversations based on qualifications. This streamlined flow shortened response times and helped the team make hiring decisions 40 percent faster than before.
Retention improved by setting clearer expectations early and creating more personal connections from the first touchpoint. Because applicants engaged directly with the team shortly after applying, both sides had a better understanding of the role before an offer was made. This early alignment contributed to retention rates that reached three times the industry average.
