There have been a lot of discussions recently about what the future of work will look like. With advances in technology, people don’t have to come into a physical office anymore, be employed at only one company, or even work Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
According to a study from Fieldglass, the future of the job market lies in non-employee workers and 95 percent of businesses now view this new workforce as a key element of developing and running a successful business.
The results of this study are extremely important for small business owners and entrepreneurs because it changes the way you should think about hiring new employees for your business.
Keep reading to find out the answers to some common questions employers have about this new trend.
What Is Causing the Shift From a Permanent Workforce to a Freelance Work Environment?
The trend of using freelance and contract workers in businesses is relatively new. Even a few years ago, the majority of a business’s employee workforce was made up of full-time professionals and it was rare to use a contractor or freelancer within the company. But now, thanks to technology, online hiring platforms, and an increase in freelance professionals, more businesses are able to connect with talented freelance professionals.
Also, the war for top talent and the need for highly specialized and skilled employees makes workforce management a top priority for companies. Employers can hire freelancers who have very specific skills and talents.
How Do I Find Freelance or Contract Employees?
There are many sites available now for employers to hire qualified freelance employees. These sites make it easy for employers to search freelancer’s profiles, post opportunities, and quickly connect with candidates without a lot of time or money.
In addition to these networks, there are also recruiting firms that offer contract and freelance recruiting services. The benefit of using a recruiting firm is that recruiters are able to access a database of pre-screened and qualified professionals to quickly fill your open position. They can also easily search for candidates who have certain skills needed for very specific or short-term projects.
Why Would I Hire an Employee on a Contract Basis and Not Full Time?
There are many benefits of hiring contract and freelance employees, but one of the most appealing benefits for small business owners and startups is the amount of flexibility that comes with hiring a contractor.
For example, you could hire a graphic designer on a 2-month contract to update the graphics on your website and marketing collateral. Or you could hire a VP of Marketing to work on strategy and objectives for two days a month. That way you can control how much or how little you need the contractor to work.
Also, hiring professionals on a contract basis can save you a lot of money. Take the VP of Marketing example. A corporate Vice President of Marketing can earn a salary of up to $232,000, according to The Creative Group’s 2016 Salary Guide. That is a lot of money to spend on one person for a small business or a start-up. Hiring someone with the same skill sets and experience but on an hourly basis is much more affordable.
Should I Hire In-House or Remote Freelancers?
Traditionally, companies had to make a decision between hiring full-time professionals, or completely outsourcing their employees. And when businesses did choose to outsource their employees, these professionals often worked remotely from different parts of the country.
But now, businesses are much more interested in hiring professionals on a contract basis from an agency or hiring freelancers to work as part of their in-house staff. And especially in the marketing industry, companies will bring in these contract professionals to work in the office alongside their full-time teams.
The decision is really up to the owner and the culture you’re trying to achieve. Both options are now easily available, and it will be up to you to decide how your team works best.
What Are Some Future Predictions About the Freelance Workforce?
The freelance workforce is not going away anytime soon. As of 2015, the average business’ workforce had a mix of 20 percent contractors and 54 percent traditional, full-time employees, and 26 percent who fit into both categories. Fieldglass now predicts that in 2017, those numbers will change to 25 percent contract, 41 percent traditional workforce and 34 percent fit into both.
And this is not the only study to report these types of findings either. According to The Future of Digital Marketing report by Mondo, the amount of companies that are made up of a 50/50 mix of permanent and contract workers is supposed to grow from 1 percent to 30 percent over the next year. So if you’re hesitant about hiring contractors because it’s just a trend, there are many facts to prove otherwise.
Ultimately, hiring contract employees can save you money, increases your hiring flexibility, and provides a chance for small businesses to hire highly skilled and experienced professionals. Still not convinced? Contact Naviga at 866-487-4156 to discuss our contract recruiting services and how they can help your business.
