Find new colleagues effortlessly with Open Hiring

In today's tight labour market, filling a vacancy can be a challenge. Lack of applicants, missing competences, no experience or a mismatch with the organisation are common.

But what if we jettisoned all those traditional selection criteria and let candidates decide for themselves whether they are suitable? It may sound crazy, but it certainly isn't! Meet ‘Open Hiring’ - a revolutionary take on recruiting.

What is Open Hiring?

With Open Hiring, you hire a new colleague without any questions, interview, CV or background information. Everyone is welcome. Is someone motivated to join you? All they have to do is put their name on a sign-up list. And as soon as they are at the top of the list, they are offered a job. It's that simple!

The idea did not come out of the blue. More than 35 years ago, Greyston Bakery already introduced this concept in America. The owner wanted to fight poverty by offering employment to those who find it hardest to get a job. He therefore asked no questions of the people he hired. In 2019, Open Hiring was first introduced in the Netherlands by Start Foundation in collaboration with founder Greyston Bakery. Since then, Open Hiring has only been gaining popularity.

The benefits of Open Hiring for organisations

Open Hiring offers numerous advantages for organisations. We would like to highlight the most important benefits for you.

Inclusive

Open Hiring is a fully inclusive way of recruiting. Prejudices that we can all unconsciously have do not get a chance in this recruitment and selection process.

Innovative

Open Hiring is a pioneering way of dealing with staffing issues. And in today's tight labour market, where we are eager for new employees, it is more than welcome.

Fair

Open Hiring suddenly offers plenty of opportunities to people struggling to find work. Jobseekers can show their skills and abilities, without being judged on, for example, disabilities or a criminal record.

Connecting

Open Hiring promotes an open corporate culture and strengthens the connection with the local community.

Motivated employees

No one is more motivated than an employee who is judged purely on their skills and abilities. People who have been given a chance tend to be extra motivated, loyal and willing to work harder.

Good for profiling and image

Open Hiring puts your organisation in the spotlight as a truly inclusive employer and reinforces the positive image that comes with it.

The 10 rules of Open Hiring

To get started with Open Hiring, you don't actually need much. Curiosity, an open mindset and enough courage to take the plunge are enough. Oh yes, and of course a sign-up list! Here are the ground rules:

1. The vacancy is open to everyone, no one is excluded.
2. The candidate decides whether he/she is suitable for the position.
3. First come, first served. The first person on the sign-up list is guaranteed work.
4. After that, you always keep the order of the subscription list. Only if someone indicates they are no longer available or no longer interested, do you approach the next person on the list.
5. Everyone gets a contract with the intention of establishing a long-term working relationship.
6. From day one, someone works as a full colleague and receives salary in return.
7. Current performance is considered, not the past.
8. The focus is on the work, with attention to personal circumstances. If necessary, the employer offers solutions and/or refers the employee to agencies outside the organisation.
9. When functioning well, you offer the possibility of moving on to other positions within the organisation.
10. Everyone is treated equally. Does someone not meet the job requirements? Then he/she may be a better fit for another position.