KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — These days, there is nothing unusual about matching the right candidate with the right job. Headhunters, job fairs and even in-house human resource people can do that.

But what if the ones looking for jobs are among the hundreds of homeless in the city?

Well, a group of volunteers wants to bring potential employers to the streets in a unique job fair called StreetJob Interview.

Speaking on behalf of the group, William Cheah said with StreetJob, those who are homeless and cash strapped won’t have to find ways to travel in order to seek employment around or out of the city.

“Trying to get a job involves applying to several different places and getting there for the interviews,” said Cheah, 44, who runs a security consultancy company by day.

“We figured, instead of them having to go out for interviews, why not we have the employers come to them?” he told Malay Mail Online.

Based on an informal survey that he conducted himself, Cheah said there were many homeless people he has spoken to who were stuck in a catch-22 of not having the finances to get a job, and not having a job that could provide them the means to seek better opportunities and hoped StreetJob would end that cycle.

“I met a 42-year-old man who used to work as a lorry driver. But after he met with an accident, he could not afford to get his GDL licence again, and now he’s on the streets,” Cheah said.

Organised jointly by volunteer network GIFT (Giving It Forward Today, Malaysian Chapter) and volunteer catering group Kembara Kitchen — Cheah was among the initiators of both — StreetJob will be held at night on Jalan Hang Lekiu.

The location, Cheah said, is an established meeting point for soup kitchens distributing food to the homeless and often attracts hundreds of people.

The event has so far confirmed five employers’ participation from the Klang Valley ranging from food manufacturers to landscape businesses.

Cheah said the employers have offered accommodation as well as transport to work for those who get hired.

“Skill-building wise, it might not be that much of a gain for those who get the job but it provides a step up for the homeless and the salary is good, some up to RM2,000, which is higher than the minimum wage,” he said.

Among the employers participating is Calvin Koh Teik Min, 37, who runs a small food-manufacturing factory in Klang called Global Traditions Spice Manufacturers.

Koh said being a small company, they could relate with the struggle to survive and wanted to contribute the best they can.

“We will provide accommodation and transportation for them in the Klang area, if they are willing to make the change. We hope by doing so, it’s one less worry for them and they would be more focussed on being employable,” he told Malay Mail Online.

He added that such a job fair would benefit his company as well, considering they have been looking to fill three posts in the factory.

“We might be unable to bring in five or 10 people but we hope by at least bringing in two or three to start off with, we hope we can make a difference,” Koh said.

“That is the whole essence of what William is doing.”

The StreetJob Interview takes place next Saturday, June 25, at 9pm on Jalan Hang Lekiu, across from SEGi College Kuala Lumpur.

For updates on the event, Cheah suggests either following his or GIFT’s official Facebook pages.