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The past two years have accelerated the growing shift towards a gig economy. According to a 2020 report by Ceridian, 70% of employers expect to use more contract and temporary workers in the next few years.
If you’ve been dreaming about leaving your full-time job for something that offers more flexibility and the potential to try something new, now is the time!
But is contract work right for you? While it isn’t a match for everyone, it does have advantages for those seeking a change of pace. In this blog, we will discuss what contract work and contract recruitment look like for both job seekers and employers, so you can decide if an exciting new career change is your next move.
What is contract work?
Contract work is employment that supports a specific project or an organisation during a busy time. Unlike permanent employment, this type of work happens for a predetermined amount of time, with the potential to extend the contract at the end of the period.
A contract position fills in the gaps in a company’s workforce, solving workforce shortages. Hiring temporary staff through short-term contracts is becoming an increasingly popular part of staffing management plans for employers.
A contract worker is different from an independent contractor; independent contractors are self-employed and responsible for their own taxes, healthcare, and expenses.
Some reasons why people decide to leave their permanent jobs for contract work
- A change of pace or scenery
- A desire for flexible work
- Gain experience in a certain field/industry
- Explore new professional opportunities without committing full-time
What are the advantages of contract work?
Contract work has become an increasingly popular option for job seekers and employers. The proof is in the numbers; each year, staffing agencies hire close to 16 million temporary and contract workers.
The main advantage of contract work for an individual is providing lucrative opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise find in a regular, full-time job.
Contract recruitment allows key employees to experience new work and training, which leaves room for professional development. Resumes can be bolstered through contract recruitment, expanding an individual’s network and increasing their chances for future opportunities.
The advantages of contract work also extend to companies. Hiring contractors is a more flexible approach to staffing projects, a great way to solve workforce skills shortages, and it supports the full-time staff by helping evenly distribute the weight of demanding jobs.
Contract recruitment is a cost-effective solution to supplementing your current workforce because, as an employer, you do not need to provide benefits, vacation time, paid sick leave, or taxes.
When hiring a contract worker with a specific skill set and level of expertise, there are also fewer costs associated with onboarding, training, and professional development.
Contract workers usually have more experience than other employee groups, making them a valuable asset that can jump in and get started in a role quickly.
The benefits of contract work for job seekers and employers are extensive, consider adding this option to your next job search!
How does contract recruitment work?
Even though contract work is common and becoming more popular through the pandemic, many people still don’t fully know the contract recruitment process for employees or employers.
When it comes to contract recruitment, workers are signed to specific contracts that last a predetermined amount of time. Contractors can be a useful solution for short periods of intense work, or for positions that are hard to fill through permanent recruitment.
The process of hiring contractors involves a few steps
- Recognise your business needs and determine which positions need contract workers.
- Hire a professional contract recruitment agency and hit the ground running. Recruiters can use their network to source, vet, and recommend the right candidates for the role(s). They will also support you through the interview process.
- You will sign a contract with a suitable candidate.
- Your contract employee can be paid through either the contract recruiter or internal processes.
What questions should I ask about a contract position?
It’s important to understand what you’re getting into as a job seeker interested in transitioning over to contract work.
These questions can be helpful in guiding your contract recruitment experience and ensuring all parties are on the same page
- How long is the contract?
- What is the company culture and position like?
- What are the typical hours?
- Is this a temp-to-hire position?
- How much is the contract pay rate?
- Are there benefits available?
- How will this position help me professionally?
- What happens when the contract is over?
Recruitment agencies help with contract placements
If you think that contract work is right for you, get in touch with a recruitment agency!
Recruitment agencies are valuable resources for both job seekers and employers. A recruiter works with you to find roles you’re interested in or fill your job openings. They will use candidate resumes or actively reach out to qualified candidates for the role.
For a job seeker, reaching out to a recruiter can help streamline your job search and determine what type of contract is ideal for your needs. Recruiters support your career change by providing valuable recruitment solutions, industry information, and advice on how to tailor your resume.
For a company, contract recruitment services can help you find amazing people for your projects and open positions. Partnering with recruitment consultants allows a recruiter to present your business to a vast network of qualified industry candidates.
Working with a recruiter can even provide better results! Experienced and well-connected contract recruiters already have large databases they can turn to. This shortens the time spent searching for ideal candidates, meaning your important company project requiring a specific skill set doesn’t wait as long for help.
Picking the right recruitment agency is important because it’s a reflection of your company’s values. Choose an organisation with an established, relevant talent pool, access to the contractor market, and experienced recruiters who have an in-depth understanding of your industry.
Doing so will support your bottom line and business goals by connecting the right people with the right jobs.
Need help with contract recruitment?
If you’re looking to fill open roles with qualified contract workers that meet the recruitment needs of your current projects, connect with us today! Let’s work together to match your company with the best candidates.
