What exactly is Open Hiring?
This innovative approach is a vote of confidence in future employees. Unlike traditional application procedures, it dispenses with cover letters and resumes. Personal information such as gender, origin, and other biographical details, as well as educational and professional qualifications and skills, are reduced to a minimum. This makes the hiring process quick and straightforward. Whether the hired person can perform the job well becomes apparent only in the weeks and months after hiring. However, the goal of Open Hiring is not just a simplified process—it primarily aims to foster more inclusion and diversity.
Especially important: Clear job descriptions and thoughtful onboarding
It is understandable that Open Hiring may be met with skepticism at first, as it drastically changes traditional recruitment methods. That makes the following points all the more important:
Clear job description
Tasks and expectations must be clearly defined. Thanks to transparent job requirements, new employees know exactly what is expected of them.
Thoughtful onboarding and mentoring
A successful Open Hiring process requires a well-planned onboarding program. It is important to provide appropriate training, mentoring, and increased resources to ensure new employees quickly settle into their roles. Individuals with educational gaps or career interruptions may need additional training. The existing team should also be educated about the circumstances of the new colleagues. External coaches might also be engaged to assist. If onboarding reveals any gaps, these can quickly lead to necessary qualification measures that pave the way for a long-term, successful collaboration.
Regular feedback conversations
Continuous, regular feedback helps employees understand if they are meeting expectations. It also allows potential problems to be identified and resolved early. Feedback conversations demonstrate appreciation and provide security.
Tips for special onboarding measures
Invest time, effort, and creative thinking in onboarding—especially if you choose the Open Hiring approach. Helpful measures include:
- Individual introduction plans: Develop personalized introduction plans tailored to the specific needs and abilities of each new employee. Where might additional training be necessary? Should the mentoring program be extended for a particular individual? Always evaluate the situation individually.
- Establish mentoring programs: Create mentoring programs to optimally integrate new employees into the company culture. Experienced employees can offer valuable support and ease the integration process.
- Regular feedback: Implement regular feedback loops to monitor new employees’ progress continuously. This enables timely response to challenges and offers individual support.
Success stories
Primarily, nonprofit organizations and social enterprises have embraced the Open Hiring concept. Nevertheless, other companies have also successfully implemented this approach, the best-known being Greyston Bakery. Although unconventional and challenging, Open Hiring can succeed through supportive structures and clear processes. It requires a paradigm shift in recruitment and management but can provide long-term benefits for both employees and companies.
Allocate resources wisely – thanks to Refline
The onboarding process can be extended through Open Hiring, and the preparation time for HR professionals and managers can increase significantly. Nonetheless, this innovative approach is a valuable tool to ensure diversity and equal opportunities and to build a strong corporate culture. To help you dedicate sufficient resources to this task, Refline’s e-recruiting software has your back: it reduces administrative efforts by 70% and offers useful features that noticeably boost recruitment success. Contact us or try our free demo today!