Hiring for a coworking space is different from hiring for almost any other type of business. You’re not just filling a role, but instead bringing someone into a living, breathing community. The people you hire shape the daily experience of your members, influence the culture of your space, and often become the face of your brand. Getting this right early on can make the difference between a thriving coworking environment and a space that never quite clicks.
Choosing the Right Person for Your Coworking Space
The most important part of hiring for a coworking space is choosing someone who truly fits your values. Skills can be learned, but mindset, attitude, and alignment with your mission are much harder to teach. This is especially true for roles that involve regular interaction with coworkers – for example, a community manager, who often acts as the main point of connection in the space and plays a key role in shaping the overall member experience. You can learn more about comminity management in our article "The Role of Community Managers in Coworking Spaces".
That said, even roles that are less visible still matter deeply. Coworking is a people-first industry, and interactions are impossible to avoid. Every team member represents your space, whether they’re answering questions, solving problems behind the scenes, or simply sharing the space alongside your members. Your staff should feel like a natural extension of what your coworking stands for.
Where to Find Coworking-Specific Talent
Coworking is still a relatively young industry, and that means there aren’t many job boards or recruitment agencies dedicated exclusively to it.
This however, doesn't mean there aren't any! Started by coworking pioneers and long-term cobot friends Pauline Roussel and Dimitar Inchev, COWORKIES regularly features coworking-related job openings from around the world. You can see all current listings here.
Another great resource is This Week in Coworking, which has a dedicated page for coworking jobs: https://thisweekincoworking.com/jobs.
If you’re weighing different hiring approaches, we also recommend our interview with Pauline from COWORKIES, where we discuss hiring internally versus using an agency (in a marketing context): Hiring vs using an agency .
Hiring From Within Your Coworking Community
Another option worth considering, especially for new or growing coworking spaces, is hiring from within your own community. Your members already understand how your space works, share your values, and are invested in its success. For early-stage spaces, this can also significantly reduce staffing costs, as roles are often part-time or shared.
A great example of this approach comes from workish.berlin, where the people running the space (the “staff-ish” :)) are members who work part-time behind the reception and around the space. In return, they receive a substantial discount on their membership. It’s a win-win for both sides: the space is supported by people who already care about it, and members get a more affordable way to be part of the community while contributing to its day-to-day operations.
This model won’t work for every role or every coworking space, but for reception, hosting, or light operational tasks, community-based hiring can be a powerful and flexible solution, and these are the most important positions you need to fill as your space is starting out.
See our full interview with workish founders Lenny and Taylor on YouTube!
10 General Tips for Hiring the Best Employee for Your Coworking Space
- Hire for attitude first, skills second
- Clearly define what success looks like in the role
- Be transparent about the realities of coworking work
- Look for people who genuinely enjoy helping others
- Test communication skills during the interview process
- Involve your team or community when possible
- Don’t rush the process — a bad hire is costly
- Ask scenario-based questions relevant to daily coworking life
- Make sure expectations go both ways
- Trust your gut, but validate it with structure
Frequently Asked Questions about early hires in coworking spaces
What roles should I hire first for a coworking space
Most coworking spaces start with a community-focused role, often combined with operations. Someone who can manage the space while supporting members is usually the highest priority.
Should coworking staff have prior coworking experience
It’s helpful but not required. Many excellent coworking managers come from hospitality, events, or customer-focused roles. What matters most is adaptability and people skills.
Is it better to hire full-time or part-time staff?
This depends on your space size, opening hours, and budget. Many spaces start with part-time roles and scale up as membership grows.
How do I know if someone is a good cultural fit?
Talk about values, observe how they communicate, and ask how they’d handle real-life situations in your space. Cultural fit often shows up in the small details.
Can software like Cobot reduce staffing needs?
Yes, the right coworking software can automate many operational tasks, allowing your team to focus more on community and less on admin.
Is it a good idea to hire staff from my coworking community?
In many cases, yes — especially for smaller or newly opened spaces. Hiring from your community can lower costs, reduce onboarding time, and strengthen the sense of ownership among members. The key is to set clear expectations, define responsibilities upfront, and make sure professional boundaries remain in place.