A Smarter, More Equitable Way to Find the Right People
Hiring is one of the most critical decisions any organization makes. Whether you’re running a small business, nonprofit, cooperative, or local government initiative, finding the right people can make or break your success. But traditional hiring methods—resumes, interviews, and reference checks—often fail to predict real-world performance.
That’s why Solidora’s hiring approach is built around practical, work-based evaluations that ensure better job matches, faster onboarding, and more equitable hiring outcomes. We use a structured approach called the “Working Start Pipeline”—a method that allows candidates to demonstrate their skills through paid, role-relevant work trials.
This means organizations can hire with confidence—reducing turnover, increasing retention, and ensuring that hiring decisions are based on real performance, not just interviews.
How the Working Start Pipeline Improves Hiring
✅ Eliminates Guesswork – Instead of relying on resumes and interviews, candidates complete practical work trials that reflect the actual job. This ensures they can do the work—not just talk about it.
✅ Reduces Turnover – When candidates experience the job before getting hired, they know what to expect. This means fewer mismatches and higher retention.
✅ Speeds Up Onboarding – New hires transition into their roles faster and with more confidence because they’ve already done the work during their trial.
✅ Creates Fairer Hiring Practices – All candidates are paid for their time, ensuring an equitable process that doesn’t exclude those who can’t afford unpaid assessments.
✅ Works for Any Role – From knowledge-based roles (marketing, operations, strategy) to customer-facing jobs (retail, hospitality) and skilled trades (construction, engineering), the Working Start Pipeline can be tailored to any industry.
How It Works: The Working Start Pipeline
Step 1: Create a Job-Relevant Work Trial
Each candidate completes a short, structured, paid work trial that mirrors the actual job. The trial is designed to test key skills, behaviors, and problem-solving abilities. Examples include:
- Strategic & Leadership Roles: Candidates complete a case study presentation on a real-world challenge.
- Customer-Facing Roles: Candidates work a shadow shift, interacting with customers under supervision.
- Technical & Trades Roles: Candidates complete a short project, coding task, or hands-on test.
Step 2: Ensure Ethical & Fair Compensation
Unlike exploitative hiring processes where applicants do unpaid work, Solidora ensures all work trials are compensated. Fair pay ensures that:
✔ Candidates from all backgrounds can participate, regardless of financial constraints.
✔ The hiring process reflects real economic justice, not just rhetoric.
✔ Employers get genuine effort and investment from candidates, knowing they are valued from the start.
Typical compensation:
- Knowledge-based roles: $200–$500 for a short project.
- Hourly roles: Pay for a full shift (even if only part of it is completed).
- Trades & technical roles: Standard hourly rate for the position.
Step 3: Evaluate Candidates Based on Real-World Performance
Hiring managers assess how candidates perform on the job, not just in interviews. Instead of focusing on rehearsed answers, evaluations focus on:
💡 Problem-Solving & Adaptability – How well does the candidate handle real-world challenges?
📢 Communication & Teamwork – Are they able to work collaboratively and communicate clearly?
🔧 Technical & Practical Skills – Can they demonstrate competence in the key functions of the role?
📈 Ownership & Initiative – Do they take responsibility and show leadership potential?
This structured, skill-based evaluation method removes bias and guesswork from hiring, ensuring decisions are fair, data-driven, and aligned with long-term success.
Step 4: Smooth Transition from Work Trial to Employment
Candidates who succeed in the work trial can seamlessly transition into full employment. Because they’ve already done the job in a controlled trial setting, onboarding is faster, smoother, and more effective.
- New hires hit the ground running—they already know expectations, tools, and workflows.
- Employers avoid costly hiring mistakes—they’ve seen real performance, not just interview skills.
- Teams integrate new members more effectively, leading to better collaboration and retention.
Who Benefits from Hiring with Solidora?
🏢 Small Businesses & Startups – Find reliable, skilled workers without wasting time on bad hires.
🏛️ Nonprofits & Community Orgs – Hire mission-driven staff who thrive in your work culture.
🛠️ Worker-Owned Co-ops – Build a team of engaged, invested worker-owners.
🌍 Local Governments & Social Enterprises – Ensure hiring practices align with equity & sustainability goals.
By using the Working Start Pipeline, organizations make better hiring decisions, reduce turnover, and create a fairer, more sustainable economy.
📢 Want to improve your hiring process? Contact us today to learn how Solidora can help your organization build a stronger, more committed workforce.
🚀 Let’s create a future where hiring is ethical, effective, and built for the long term.