THE MARKET:  Hire Contractors Quickly, Or Not at All

We are seeing a spike in the number of clients who are getting halfway through their interview process – only to have their “lead candidate” accept another offer.  The skilled labor shortage has indeed hit.  Professional interim candidates are registered with multiple agencies, as well as networking on their own, and are interviewing for 3 and 4 assignments simultaneously!

While the contract hiring market might be fickle and turbulent, the metrics are clear. Once contract professionals are hired, their retention rate is almost 100%.  How do you get qualified candidates in the seat when they are going on interviews left and right -- and sometimes left again? 

For Contract Professionals – It’s About Security

It is helpful to understand the mindset of today’s temporary professionals. On the one hand, they want to keep their skills current and continue to work in high-caliber environments to ensure they remain attractive for the best contract positions – which, of course, pay the best rates.  Working in a quality environment is certainly a consideration.

However, the contractor’s motto is, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”  With household and personal expenses like any of us, the contractor wants to know that his or her next months of employment are assured. Assuming the quality of two assignments is roughly equal, the first one to make an offer will win.

Advice to Clients – Don’t Let “Perfect” Get in the Way of “Good”

Q: Who are interim HR professionals?
A: Look in the mirror. Would you trust yourself to do this assignment?

Temporary professionals usually enter the market after 10+ years of successive, long-term permanent roles at large companies.  They were “you” before they entered the contract market. Any professional with that background will likely do a competent (probably great) job on your temporary assignment. Endless rounds of interviews are counterproductive!

Click here for related article… Streamline Your Temp Hiring in 8 Easy Steps

Continuiti, LLC.
E-mail: info@continuiti.com