Hire Local DC Hospitality Sector Partnership Hosts Interview Event for Job-Ready Candidates for Opening Roles
The hiring event connected local job seekers with promising roles in DC’s dynamic hospitality sector.
Washington, DC – On Wednesday, March 12, 53 candidates were offered roles or advanced in the interviewing process with 7 local hospitality companies at a Hire Local DC Hospitality Sector Partnership interview event. Hire Local DC, an employer-led coalition convened by CityWorks DC and the Federal City Council focused on improving the District of Columbia’s local talent pipeline, worked with 32 education and training providers to prepare candidates for the event. Hire Local DC hosted the event at The Holiday Inn Washington Capitol in partnership with Donohoe Hospitality, the PM Hotel Group, and Marriott International. This is the sixth Hire Local DC Interview Event, which has resulted in nearly 350 hospitality and construction job offers to DC residents.
“The Hire Local DC team does an excellent job working with local education and training providers to prepare interested and qualified candidates for their interviews with our companies. Candidates have done their homework, they’ve reviewed the Hospitality Job Readiness Rubric we designed as a part of the Sector Partnership, and are genuinely excited about working in a job that will allow them to welcome guests to their city,” said Rustin Moore, Senior Director of Human Resources for Donohoe Hospitality Services.
“I had great conversations with Donohoe Hospitality, JW Marriott, and the Pendry, and I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been invited back for second interviews with all three,” said Constance Walker, a student from the University of the District of Columbia’s Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning Program. “ The interviews went smoothly—I was able to highlight my management experience, customer service skills, and ability to lead in fast-paced environments. Each company seemed genuinely interested in how my background aligns with their needs, and I left feeling confident about the opportunities ahead.”
Launched in 2021, Hire Local DC is committed to two interconnected goals: ensuring that the city’s youth and young adults are equipped for, hired into, and thriving in quality jobs across the District and region, and strengthening local industries’ confidence in hiring homegrown talent to meet workforce demands. Hiring events such as this one are just one piece of a larger strategy that also includes sector-specific training, employer partnerships, and continued support for new hires.
“We set up Hire Local DC Sector Partnerships to mobilize, catalyze, and support industry leaders and partners to increase the proportion of DC residents hired and the confidence companies have in local talent,” said Erin Bibo, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at CityWorks DC. “Events like this showcase the incredible talent right here in DC and the commitment of our hospitality partners to investing in the local workforce,” said Kevin Clinton, Chief Program Officer of the Federal City Council, which co-convenes the Hire Local DC Sector Partnerships. “We’re not just helping people find jobs—we’re strengthening the entire industry by ensuring employers have access to skilled, job-ready candidates from our community, and connecting the city’s education and training providers with insights on what the industry is seeking in a job-ready candidate.”
These hiring events are just one component of the broader Hire Local DC strategy, which includes fostering sector-specific partnerships, creating pathways for skills development, and ensuring local businesses thrive by hiring from their communities. The coalition looks forward to future partnerships with hospitality employers across the sector to continue building on our previous year’s success into 2025.
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About CityWorks DC
CityWorks DC's mission is to dramatically improve the early career outcomes of DC youth and young adults of color by creating innovative programs and by mobilizing employers, educators, and city leaders to create a local, diverse talent pipeline. CityWorks DC seeks to ensure that young people acquire industry-valued credentials; paid, relevant work experience; and social capital, so that they can secure meaningful work that enables them to thrive. To do this, CityWorks DC launches innovative programs that work directly with young people to help them build family-sustaining careers, create personal wealth, and drive economic growth, and leads citywide initiatives designed to ensure lasting change. To learn more about the organization’s programs and partnerships, visit cityworksdc.org.
About Hire Local DC
Hire Local DC is a collaboration between CityWorks DC and the Federal City Council, convening employers and strategic partners together to ensure that DC residents obtain DC’s “good” jobs. Hire Local DC believes that when companies hire local talent, their businesses thrive, our residents thrive, and our local economy thrives. To learn more, visit https://www.hirelocaldc.org/.
