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There are endless stories about home renovation nightmares. Wires leading to nowhere and tile that has more cracks in it than a street in Toronto after a brutal winter. So why not hire an experienced contractor instead of trying to carry the load yourself? After all, there are certain circumstances when it makes sense to hire a contract/consulting resource. Contractors take a more nuanced view of the problem and bring specialized skills to the table. Put the right contract resource in place and you build the capability of your organization, increasing your chances of getting promoted – a win/win situation.
Special Projects and Specialized Skills
Any organization that is working hard to keep up with the changes in its business will likely need some specialized staff. Before hiring a permanent employee you should ask yourself the following:
- Is this person integral to the ongoing needs of the business?
- Is this person only needed to get over a significant technical or functional milestone?
If you answered “yes” to number 1 then you likely need a permanent resource, whereas a “yes” to number 2 should have you running for an accounting contractor.
Transition Time
If your company is going through a time of transition it can make sense to hire a contract resource. For example, perhaps your organization is moving to a shared service model which will affect whether or not there is a long-term role. According to a VP Finance we spoke with, a contract resource can be the right fit in a shared service situation, “If I know that part of what we’re doing will end up in a shared service model and that’s going to happen within the next 6 to 24 months, than I would rather hire a contractor. This allows me to set the expectation that they’re in a 12 month contract role, which is unlikely to become a permanent position. At the same time, while the person is in the contract position, I would encourage them to look elsewhere in the company to see if there is something else that they would like to do.” In a case such as this, a contract resource makes perfect sense during a time of transition.
Short Term Workload Increase
If there is a short-term workload increase, bringing in a contractor can help relieve the pressure on your existing team. If a member of the team quits, too often his/her work gets divided up among the existing staff. Think about it, a team of four, which may already be operating at capacity, is now a team of three and still carrying the existing workload. The result: increased stress, potential dissatisfaction and perhaps a desire to exit stage left. While staff members may be willing to pitch in briefly, it is best to mitigate the risk by bringing in someone to bridge the gap.
It can be tempting to try and get by with existing staff, but if you’re in a time of transition hiring a contractor can bring a specialized skill set on board to fill an existing need. They can relieve the pressure on current team members so that productivity isn’t compromised. And yet, contractors are more than just a ‘stop gap’ measure. Their specialized skill set can be used to build the existing capability of your business and be a growth catalyst. So if you’re wondering if a contract resource could be used to your business advantage in certain situations, the answer is likely ‘yes.’
Your Next Step
No one should walk the job search or hiring road alone. At Clarity Recruitment we help others realize their success through a process that marries proprietary technology with unwavering commitment. Contact us today to take control of your career, or to partner with us to hire well.
Clarity Recruitment, connecting exceptional people with remarkable companies.