At Desq Worx, we’re often asked about career opportunities in the coworking industry. As India’s flexible workspace market continues to boom, we’re sharing our insider perspective on what it actually takes to join our team—or any coworking brand. Spoiler alert: it’s not what most applicants think.
The Coworking Industry: Not Your Typical Career Path
The flexible workspace sector in India is projected to grow by 15-20% annually over the next five years, creating thousands of exciting job opportunities. But landing a role at Desq Worx or other coworking brands requires understanding what makes this industry fundamentally different.
Unlike traditional office management that focuses primarily on facility maintenance, coworking management centers on creating thriving communities where members connect, collaborate, and grow. This distinction shapes everything about how we hire.
As our Operations Director Siddharth Ralli puts it: “We’re not just renting desks—we’re creating environments where people and ideas flourish. We hire people who intuitively understand this difference.”
What Coworking Brands Actually Look For
After conducting hundreds of interviews for our spaces across Delhi NCR, we’ve identified the qualities that truly matter when building our team:
1. Community-Building Instincts: The heart of successful coworking spaces is the community. We look for people who can:
Facilitate meaningful connections between members
Recognize collaboration opportunities that others might miss
Create programming that strengthens community bonds
Navigate complex interpersonal dynamics with sensitivity
These skills often come from backgrounds. Some of our best team members previously worked in event planning, hospitality, teaching, or even social work.
2. Problem-Solving Versatility
A typical day at Desq Worx might include
Troubleshooting tech issues during a member’s important client presentation
Reconfiguring our event space when twice as many people show up as expected
Facilitating an impromptu introduction between two members in complementary industries
Handling a maintenance emergency while maintaining a calm atmosphere
We don’t hire for specific skills as much as adaptability and resourcefulness. The candidates who impress us demonstrate they can handle the unpredictable nature of community management.
3.Hospitality Mindset
Exceptional service is non-negotiable in this industry. We look for people who:
Anticipate needs before they become requests
Find joy in creating delightful experiences for others
Turn potential problems into moments of connection
Maintain warmth and composure even during challenging situations
This quality shines through in how candidates interact with our team and members during the interview process.
4.Business Development Through Relationship Building
Coworking brands need steady growth, but not through traditional sales approaches. We value people who can:
Convert tours into memberships through authentic connection
Identify partnership opportunities that benefit the community
Maintain high retention rates through exceptional experiences
Create content that captures the community’s essence
This isn’t aggressive selling—it’s growth rooted in genuine understanding of value.
The Three Strategies That Actually Work
Now for the tactical advice. Based on our hiring experience, here are the three most effective strategies for getting hired by Desq Worx or any coworking brand:
Strategy #1: Experience Before Application
The most successful candidates become part of our community before they ever apply for a position.
Neera, who now manages our South City 1 location in Gurgaonn, first spent three weeks working from our space as a freelancer. During that time, he connected with existing members, participated in community events, and observed the subtle dynamics that make our space unique.
When a position opened, her application stood out because she could speak specifically about our community, not just coworking spaces in general.
Actionable Steps:
1.Purchase a day pass or week pass at your target coworking space
2.Attend their community events and workshops
3.Connect with current members and staff
4.Take notes on specific community patterns you observe
5.Reference these observations in your application
Strategy #2: Create a “Community Vision” Statement
Generic resumes yield generic results. What consistently impresses us is when candidates create a brief “community vision” document specifically for our space.
Neha, who leads our community team in Delhi, stood out among dozens of applicants by submitting a one-page vision alongside her resume that:
•Identified specific strengths in our existing community
•Suggested three concrete ways to enhance member connections
•Outlined a simple improvement to our onboarding process based on her experience as a visitor
This showed genuine interest and understanding that set her apart from candidates with “more relevant” experience on paper.
Actionable Steps:
1.After experiencing the space, create a 1-page document with:
•Observations about current community dynamics
•2-3 specific ideas for enhancing member experience
•One operational suggestion based on your observations
2.Keep it concise and focused on adding value
3.Submit this alongside your traditional application
Strategy #3: Highlight Transferable Skills From Unexpected Backgrounds
Some of our most successful team members came from backgrounds outside traditional office management:
Restaurant Management and Restaurant managers excel in our space because they understand:
•High-touch customer service during busy periods
•Maintaining quality experiences under pressure
•Creating welcoming environments for diverse clientele
Event Planning :Event planners bring valuable skills like:
•Creating meaningful connection opportunities
•Managing complex logistics
•Turning spatial constraints into creative solutions
Customer Success: Those from customer success backgrounds offer:
•Strong relationship-building abilities
•Experience in long-term client retention
•Skills in turning feedback into improvements
Actionable Steps:
1.Identify aspects of your background that translate to community management
2.Frame your experience in terms of problems solved rather than tasks completed
3.Highlight specific examples of creating connection between people
4.Demonstrate adaptability through stories of handling unexpected challenges
What a Typical Day Looks Like at Desq Worx
To give you insight into working at a coworking brand, here’s what a day in the life looks like for our team:
8:30 AM: Arrive early to check all systems and prepare for the day. The quiet morning moments are perfect for planning community initiatives.
9:00 AM: Members begin arriving. Our team makes a point to remember personal details and make genuine connections. “Hi Arjun, how did your investor meeting go yesterday?”
10:30 AM: Conduct a tour for potential new members, focusing on community benefits beyond the physical space.
11:30 AM: Help a member troubleshoot printer issues during their deadline crunch—turning a potential frustration into a moment of gratitude.
12:30 PM: Quick chai break while reviewing member management software for upcoming birthdays, anniversaries, and renewal opportunities.
1:30 PM: Meet with a potential partner about hosting workshops in our space that would benefit our members.
3:00 PM: Notice two members working in similar fields and facilitate an introduction that might lead to collaboration.
4:00 PM: Set up for an evening networking event, ensuring all details create the right atmosphere.
5:00 PM: Welcome attendees to the mixer you’ve organized, making introductions that spark meaningful connections.
7:00 PM: Wrap up the event, ensure the space is prepared for tomorrow, and head home tired but fulfilled.
The days are diverse, challenging, and deeply rewarding for those who enjoy creating meaningful experiences for others.
Common Coworking Positions to Consider
The industry offers diverse entry points:
Community Manager: The most common role, focusing on member experience and community building. This position typically requires strong interpersonal skills and event planning experience.
Operations Coordinator: Handles the functional aspects of running the space efficiently, from maintenance to vendor management. This role suits detail-oriented individuals with strong organizational skills.
Events Manager: Creates programming that brings the community together and generates additional revenue. Ideal for those with experience in event planning and partnership development.
Membership Sales: Focuses on giving tours, following up with prospects, and converting inquiries into memberships. The best in this role sell through relationship-building rather than pressure tactics.
Content Creator: Develops material for marketing, member communications, and brand building. This role requires strong storytelling abilities and understanding of community dynamics.
Real Talk: The Challenges and Rewards
Working in coworking isn’t all networking events and creative collaboration. It’s important to understand the challenges too:
The challenges:
•Long and sometimes unpredictable hours, especially when hosting evening events
•The need to remain “on” and energetic even during personal low moments
•Balancing the needs of diverse members with different working styles
•Managing the operational complexities behind the scenes while maintaining a seamless member experience
The rewards:
•Witnessing businesses grow from idea stage to success
•Creating moments of connection that lead to friendships and collaborations
•Building a community that becomes meaningful in members’ lives
•Working in a dynamic environment where no two days are the same
As our Community Lead Neera puts it: “The hours can be long and the work challenging, but there’s nothing like the feeling when a member tells you they met their business partner or found their first client through an introduction you facilitated.”
The Application Process at Desq Worx
If you’re interested in joining our team specifically, here’s what our hiring process typically looks like:
1. Initial Application:Submit your resume and cover letter through our careers page. Stand out by referencing specific experiences you’ve had in our space or observations about our community.
2. Community Experience:Qualified candidates are invited to spend a half-day in our space, participating in the community and observing operations.
3. Panel Interview:Meet with our team to discuss your background, approach to community building, and problem-solving abilities.
4. Challenge Project:Top candidates complete a small project, such as designing a community event or creating a member onboarding process.
5. Final Interview:A conversation with our leadership team about your vision for contributing to our community.
The entire process is designed to assess not just skills but cultural alignment and genuine passion for creating exceptional work environments.
Final Thoughts: It’s About Connection
The coworking industry continues to evolve rapidly, creating exciting opportunities for those who understand its unique dynamics. At Desq Worx, we value authentic connection and genuine passion for creating exceptional work experiences over traditional qualifications.
The most successful candidates demonstrate these qualities throughout their application process and understand that coworking isn’t just about managing a space—it’s about facilitating meaningful human connections.
If you’re considering a career in this industry, we encourage you to experience spaces firsthand, highlight your adaptability, and showcase a genuine understanding of community building. These approaches will set you apart in an industry that’s fundamentally about bringing people together.
And if you’re interested in joining our team specifically? Start by spending time in our space. Get to know our community. Experience what makes Desq Worx different.
After all, the best team members begin as community members first.
Looking to experience Desq Worx firsthand? Visit any of our locations for a free day pass by mentioning this article. It might just be the first step in your coworking career journey!
About the Author: This article was written by the Desq Worx Community Team, drawing on our collective experience building coworking communities across Delhi NCR. We’re passionate about creating exceptional workspaces where businesses and individuals thrive.