Non-permanent contractors are in higher demand than ever before. The focus is on this rich pool of specialist talent and how companies can efficiently deploy contractors with the skills to make a difference all over the world.
Organizations are recognising the value of a more agile workforce in pursuit of ambitious growth targets, and flexible recruitment strategies have taken centre stage.
This rise in popularity can be attributed to a number of factors, including companies' desire to be more agile and adaptable to the rapidly changing landscape of work, an increasing number of projects requiring additional skills, the constant need to reduce costs, the adoption of technology allowing more fluid working and assisting in the execution of growth plans, to name a few...
But, with competition from all sides for the contract talent you seek, how can you ensure you have the best chance of hiring the best contractors?
One of the primary advantages of hiring non-permanent contractors is the ability to scale up or scale down headcount as needed. Before you go ahead and hire contractors, carefully consider your business objectives and identify any potential talent gaps.
This will enable you to determine whether hiring contractors - as niche specialists - is the best option for your company, or if a permanent employee would be a better choice.
Taking this approach will help to reduce recruitment costs, and having a clear plan for who to hire will alleviate stress in your existing teams who may be concerned about workloads.
After determining which projects or positions require independent contractors, you must determine how long you will require them for. You may have a specific date or deadline for a project in your calendar that will essentially mark the 'end' of when you need their assistance, but their job contract should not be tied to that.
Contracts for short-term assignments may not attract the attention of top contracting professionals because they do not demonstrate a strong commitment to your contract employees.
On the other hand, some contractors are put off by excessively long job contracts because they prefer to change assignments frequently in order to constantly improve their profiles.
Find a happy medium and make sure to have regular discussions about contract extensions - there's a good chance they already have their next assignment in mind, and you don't want to lose them before your project is finished!
Talented contractors want to be put to the test. A challenging assignment is appealing because it will not only add to their CV but will also help them hone their skills.
When considering a contract hire, make a point of highlighting the most difficult aspects of the project or tasks they will be working on. This will show how much value the contract opportunity could provide to a potential new hire.
Contracting houses that hire contract professionals will have a large number of people on their books who have the necessary skills and experience. They will also have assigned them on previous assignments, so they will have a clear understanding of what they want from their next role and will be able to judge whether their greatest strengths match your requirements.
When you approach the contracting firm about assisting with your contracting needs, they may already have someone in mind. This means that the hiring process will be quicker and easier for you.
Did you know: We have a contractor experience team that performs pre-employment screening and checks to ensure your prospective contractor is qualified to work for you.
While writing a job description for a permanent position is similar, a project scope job description should be more specific, listing requirements in a more functional, clear, and concise manner. Isolate the tasks that the chosen individual will be performing and the skills required to complete them successfully.
Because the individual will be required for a set period of time (which can, of course, be extended once they begin), make sure you include the contract's initial duration and start date in the job description.
Contract professionals have chosen this path because they want more autonomy over their working lives and recognition of the skills they have accumulated over the course of their careers. They will also expect a pay package that reflects this.
The earning potential as a contractor can be substantial, so when budgeting for your contracting role, make sure you understand what an attractive rate would be for the position you are hiring for.
You don't need us to tell you how damaging a lengthy recruiting process can be to your ability to hire top contracting talent, let alone the impact on revenue and productivity. When looking for contractors, any indecision or delays can be especially damaging - it could cost you your first choice contracting professional!
As previously stated, your number one contractor is likely to have a number of potential opportunities in mind. Things move quickly in the contracting industry. They are more likely to accept an offer from the company that first hires them. Try to keep the number of stakeholders involved in the process to a minimum, as this can often prolong decision making.
Do you intend to hire contractors?
Still unsure whether hiring a contractor is the best option for your company? For more information, please visit our independent contractors page or contact us; we'll be happy to match your company with the best IT and Finance contracting professionals!