Recruitment process at La Casa: step-by-step explanation of the video conference stage

For the video conference, we have slots available throughout the week, ideally speaking as soon as possible after the candidates have submitted their applications. This initial contact between the candidate and the La Casa staff is very important: it allows the candidate to obtain valuable information, and it gives the staff the opportunity to meet those who want to join the community and to test their motivations. So, it is helpful to know what to expect during this famous call :)

The video conference is the first real contact between the candidate and the staff. The La Casa team is aware that this moment can sometimes be a bit stressful for the candidate. Therefore, it is very important that they feel comfortable and reassured, and we will do everything to ensure that this exchange takes place under the best conditions. The main objective of this call is to understand the candidate's motivation: it is about validating the candidate's application, and this is done in two steps. Firstly, by verifying their administrative and financial information, and then by discussing their motivations. We are looking for candidates who are not only looking for accommodation but are genuinely interested in Coliving. A good candidate is someone who has taken the time to fill out their motivation letter, spent time on the website to understand how La Casa works, and is motivated by community living as we propose it. At the end of this interview, the staff decides - or not - to validate the candidate's application. Then comes the time to answer their questions and guide them to the Casa that will best suit them based on the exchange that has taken place.

For a file to be validated at La Casa, it must first meet certain administrative and financial criteria, and we must see if what the candidate is looking for matches what we offer. These include:

• Validating the candidate's financial file In Paris or major cities, it is often quite challenging to find accommodation without having signed the sacred CDI (permanent employment contract) or if Bill Gates hasn't had the good taste to be our guarantor. At La Casa, we are committed to accommodating diverse profiles in our houses and have solutions so that everyone can qualify for residency (freelancers, job seekers, freelancers, students, entrepreneurs, etc.). A candidate who is in a CDI or CDD (fixed-term contract) with more than 8 months remaining until the lease signing will have their financial file automatically approved. For other profiles, we ask candidates to go through partner organizations that act as guarantors: GarantMe or SmartGarant. It is simply a matter for the candidate to simulate their eligibility and see if they qualify. If so, and the candidate agrees to subscribe to GarantMe or SmartGarant for residency, then we approve their file! NB: We are unable to accept private guarantors, and we also do not accept advance rent payments to validate the file of a candidate who is not in a CDI or CDD with more than eight months remaining.

• Ensuring that the candidate intends to live alone at La Casa At La Casa, each room is associated with a set of personal services. Therefore, it is not possible for two people to reside in one room (even if the rooms are equipped with a double bed). If a couple or two friends wish to apply, they must each apply for separate rooms and undergo an individual motivational interview. Similarly, the referral of one person does not automatically imply referral of the other.

Discussing the question of pets Our houses have large gardens that would delight many furry friends! Unfortunately, reaching a consensus on this matter can be challenging. This type of decision must come from the community: we regularly consult housemates to determine if they agree to meet a candidate with a pet. Thus far, the answer has always been no. It is therefore advisable to organize to find another home for your pet before submitting an application.

• Verifying that the candidate intends to reside long-term at La Casa At La Casa, we create communities where housemates share strong moments and often form friendships with each other. Our recruitment process is designed to achieve this! To fully benefit from what La Casa offers and the coliving adventure, both the staff and housemates agree that one should reside for at least 6 months. This duration allows individuals to participate in activities, organized events, and to have the opportunity to meet housemates from all Casas. If you are seeking transitional accommodation for one or two months, or if you need a temporary solution (for example, for an internship), La Casa may not be the best option. The initial contact is an opportunity to analyze each situation on a case-by-case basis and discuss it with you.

• Discussing the candidate's motivations for coliving life Next is the discussion about the candidate's motivation. At La Casa, our goal is to find people interested in experiencing communal living. Therefore, we ask questions to understand the candidate's desire to join a Casa and to determine if their profile fits the house they are applying for. It is also an opportunity to review the list of available Casas with the candidate and see if other Casas may suit them better. The motivation questionnaire completed during the application on the website serves as a basis for this exchange. Therefore, it is crucial to take the time to fill it out. Likewise, this exchange is often an opportunity for the staff to demystify life in the Casas and explain to candidates how life is organized in the houses.

• Answering all the candidate's questions and guiding them in their choices Candidates often have questions about community life organization, the size of the room, the services available to them, or how to approach the coliving adventure. Even those who have spent time researching on the website often have many questions, which is entirely normal. The staff then takes the time during the call to clarify anything that needs clarification. It is not uncommon for candidates to hesitate between several Casas, and the staff is also there to guide them in their choice. When all these points are verified, the candidate's file is considered validated, and we then offer them the opportunity to visit the house.

Once a candidate's file is validated, there are two possible scenarios. A staff member explains the next steps in the recruitment process, which depend on the candidate's situation and the Casa or Casas they are applying for.

• The application concerns an available room in an already opened Casa. The staff puts the candidate in contact with a current member of that Casa, who is responsible for organizing the meeting between the candidates and all the residents. This resident is referred to as the "Cooptation Referee". Together, they schedule a visit date, which typically involves a gathering over drinks at the Casa. This informal exchange allows the candidate to see the house and the available room and to meet the community. The current residents take the time to answer all the candidate's questions and show them around the house. Afterwards, the residents have three days to inform the staff whether they want to co-opt the candidate to live with them.

• The application concerns a Casa that will soon open. A candidate deemed highly motivated by the staff may be offered additional steps (a meetup and an individual visit) to become a "Founder" of a new Casa that is about to open. Founders represent half of the residents of the new house and are responsible for choosing the rest of the residents from the candidates presented to them. The role of Founder disappears once the community is complete, as there is no hierarchy at La Casa, but it remains a nice way to start the adventure! If the candidate does not fit the Founder profile but is still a good candidate with a validated file, they will be invited to participate in visits and may be able to join La Casa.

• You can browse La Casa's website to discover our articles on all aspects of community living as we envision it.

• Feel free to take a look at our Coliving Guide to get an idea of the basic rules that bind our communities...

• ...Or browse through testimonials from our residents who speak much better than us about their daily life at La Casa!

• From theory to practice, head over to Instagram to find photos of cooking classes, Casa decorations, moments of life among roommates...

• And most importantly, no stress! We are excited to meet you and answer your questions ;