A New Hope with Open Hiring

I'd like to keep the conversation going on homelessness and employment. I previously shared about how our unhoused neighbors often miss out on opportunities that could help them improve their lives due to logistical hurdles that make finding and acquiring a job that pays a living wage especially difficult. Today, I’d like to tell you about one innovative solution to this problem that some companies are starting to explore and implement to create more equitable access to some kinds of jobs that don’t require specific training or experience: "Open Hiring."

So, what is “Open Hiring,” and how can it revolutionize the way we view employability, particularly for our friends experiencing homelessness?

According to AIHR.com, Open Hiring is a "first-in, first-hired" recruitment method. There are no resumes, no interviews, and no background checks. Everyone is given an opportunity, regardless of their past, education, or experience. This strategy can be very effective for some entry level or non-specialized roles by breaking down barriers that typically exclude people with criminal records, histories of substance abuse, homelessness, disabilities, or even a simple fear of job interviews. Not only would this approach to hiring create more equity for job applicants, it would also benefit organizations to have more diverse perspectives and experiences with their employees that could benefit the whole organization.

One company championing this idea is The Body Shop. Before COVID-19 disrupted the retail market and flipped the U.S. economy upside down, The Body Shop would connect job opportunities directly with our Guest Services Team at City Relief as soon as they were available, so that we could offer the opportunity to someone we were already helping. The idea was that our team could support the guest with the necessary paperwork, coaching, and emotional and spiritual support while The Body Shop could offer professional development and a living wage. Although the pandemic hindered our ability to place guests into retail and factory spaces, I firmly believe that this concept's time has not passed.

Maybe you're thinking, can my workplace adopt a form of Open Hiring? Or perhaps, how can I challenge stereotypes and assumptions that link a person's housing status or criminal history to their employability? You're not alone in asking these questions. We are currently asking these questions at City Relief and exploring ways that we can embrace a form of Open Hiring in the future.

Together, let's dream and work towards a future where a lack of permanent address no longer stands as a barrier to employment. Let's create environments where hope is nurtured, and dreams are within reach.

Would you join us? Whether it's initiating a conversation at your workplace or connecting with us to learn more, every step makes a difference.

With sincere thanks,

Josiah Haken