The overlooked hiring strategy for your business

Finding skilled long-term talent can be a challenging process. Crafting well-rounded, enticing job descriptions, identifying the best hiring platforms, communicating with recruitment, scheduling multiple rounds of interviews, hashing out contractual requirements and negotiating benefits is tough work.

For industries with fast-changing demands, be they short-term rotational projects or specific expertise required for one-off projects, making a permanent appointment doesn't always meet the business needs. The skillsets of existing staff don't fit with the scope of certain projects or companies can't afford committing long term to an expert with the industry experience required.

Organisations have been opting for a different hiring strategy to address these concerns - enlisting contract staff instead of full-time hires. Some might have the impression that contractors require more time and energy to source, but with the right help and clarity around the skills you're looking for, contract staff are a viable and affordable alternative that delivers results.

Enjoy lower costs and budgeting flexibility

Employment costs are a concern for organisations of all sizes. On the surface contractors often charge higher hourly rates than you would be paying employees however more often the reality is that attractive dollar savings can be made. Unlike with permanent staff, you don't have to worry about employer provided benefits, paid leave, insurances and professional development. These costs can add up to 23% of an employee's total remuneration package - funds you can instead direct to finding someone with a higher level of expertise to meet specific project demands.

This translates to flexibility with budgeting - a particular bugbear for smaller businesses and start-ups. Signing on contract staff for an assigned period means you are better placed to re-assess your current financials before committing to an extension, if you choose to. You might not feel the difference with just one or two employees, but imagine half a team with skilled contractors, and the ability to make hiring decisions based on periodic financial health checks.

Never Compromise on Quality

With contract staff, you're working with highly skilled industry professionals who have honed their craft over the years. They are adaptable and can hit the ground running as soon as they are briefed on the job required. They are familiar with contract environments and tend to deliver high quality work. It's in their best interests as a great reputation secures future contract work. Many also pride themselves on adding value through identifying efficiencies to be made in the business. All these factors can add up to highly specialised staff members, capable of filling the gaps in your workforce.

Cut out the fat in the hiring process

No matter how efficient you might be at hiring and interviewing, the time and money spent identifying suitable candidates, conducting multiple interviews and managing negotiations all adds up.

With contract staff, there are fewer parameters for consideration and the process can be significantly streamlined. You won't face multiple rounds of interviews, or spend time with the back and forth of negotiation, and if you're working with recruitment agencies offering specialist services, it takes even more off your plate. You'll see a leaner, more straightforward hiring process, freeing up your time to focus on more strategic business matters.

A fresh pair of eyes

Contractors provide an outsider's perspective to your projects. Professionals at all levels can be guilty of becoming too comfortable, where contractors can offer new ideas and insights, which have perhaps been tried and tested with other clients. The addition of motivated problem-solvers to your team can help overcome productivity blockages in your organisation, and working with a variety of contractors ensures your people are constantly challenged to produce the best work.

Hiring short-term and long-term staff isn't a decision companies should decide on at a whim. Employers must consider the necessity of long-term staff to build a strong working culture, continuity and familiarity with retained clients, succession planning and more. Demands differ for each organization however we have realised contractors generally offer an amount of flexibility and knowledge that has proved particularly valuable for smaller firms and organisations.

In Auckland, we're expecting a rising demand for contract staff in 2015. Statistics from MBIE indicate that skilled job vacancies have grown more than 11 per cent in the 12 months ending November 2014 and the ANZ Business Outlook has suggested that 20 per cent of businesses intend to ramp up hiring this year. Several industries have already been reflective of this trend and have started seeking more skilled short-term staff.

The logistics and supply chain industry is witnessing a strong need to reduce operational costs and has been one of our biggest clientele. Many professionals in this sector are switching to a contract staff model due to their transferable skills. The sales and marketing industry, which often sees product launches or one-off rebranding projects, is also experiencing a higher demand for short-term expert contractors. The sectors of accounting and business consulting with client-based operational models are also calling for more experts to fill roles while companies undergoing transformation projects are seeing the need for skilled analysts, information architects and IT professionals.

At salt we pride ourselves on providing highly rated contractors from our network of trusted experts. Our teams of career recruiters value and enjoy working collaboratively with clients and candidates to meet their needs, and we consider a placement successful only when both the organisation and candidate are happy with the arrangement. salt aims to make the hiring process painless and efficient, and to secure the best talent for your team.