In today’s competitive business world, hiring contractors can be a strategic move that helps companies save costs, access specialised/ niche skills, and improve productivity. In this article, we will explore the benefits of hiring contractors and provide ten tips for hiring contractors.
Cost Savings
Hiring contractors can be an affordable way to access to high-quality expertise. Contractors are typically hired for a set period of time or for the duration of a project, rather than indefinitely, meaning that there will be no outgoing for any idle time where they wouldn’t be being fully utilised for their specialist skills. Unlike full-time employees, contractors usually don’t receive additional benefits such as health insurance and holiday time.
Specialisms & Expertise
Contractors are hired based on their specific skillsets, which they use regularly. This means that they are better equipped to produce work of a higher standard than someone who does not have the same level of specialised knowledge and experience. By hiring specialist contractors, you can benefit from their valuable insight into their area of expertise, helping you be sufficiently informed to make the right decisions for your business. Specialist contractors often have a network of resources and contacts that can be used to further the success of your project.
Flexibility
Often, contractors can provide a level of flexibility that may be hard to achieve with a full-time employee. For example, you can adjust the scope of the project or extend the timeline if necessary to ensure that a project is completed. Although these changes may incur additional costs, typically this will be cheaper than alternative options of permanent staff for shorter-term projects.
Productivity
Contractors are generally deadline focused and highly motivated to meet deadlines, as they are hired on a basis of working for an agreed amount of time or for the duration of a project until completion. Their reputation and future opportunities depend on the success of the projects they work on, so it is always in their interest to meet deadlines & will do their best to meet the deadlines. Experienced contractors can often expedite the tasks & objectives of a project by providing the specialist skills, rather than a generalist skillset.
Professionalism
When you work with contractors, they bring a high level of expertise and conduct themselves in a professional manner, adhering to deadlines, effective communication and punctuality. Not only that, contractors bring a wealth of experience working with different companies and projects, providing a fresh perspective and identifying areas for improvement. They often have access to tools and applications that are specific to their skillset, which can greatly benefit a project by utilising these resources.
Quick to Adapt
Due to the nature of their work, they typically work on multiple projects and industries and are accustomed to learning quickly and adapting to different environments. This allows them to hit the ground running on a new project and ensures they are up to speed with the objectives of the project, without needing extensive onboarding or training. Contractors often bring a wealth of experience and knowledge from previous projects, which can be leveraged to improve the outcome of the current project.
10 tips for Hiring Contractors in Tech
Research the contractor’s qualifications and experience – Make sure the contractor has the necessary skills, experience, and qualifications to do the job you need.
Read reviews from previous clients – Read reviews from previous projects to gauge the contractor’s quality and reliability.
Get a detailed quote – Make sure the quote is clear and covers all the work that you need.
Check references – Ask for references from previous clients and contact them to ask about their experience with the contractor.
Have a clear scope of work – Ensure that both you and the contractor have a clear understanding of the scope of work, timeline, and budget.
Have a contract – Make sure that both parties agree on the scope of work, timeline, and budget in writing.
Establish communication expectations – Establish how often you will communicate, how you will communicate (e.g. email, phone, video chat), and who is responsible for resolving any issues that arise.
Set payment terms – Establish when and how you will pay the contractor for the work.
Stay organised – Make sure to keep all relevant documents and communication organised and easily accessible.
Respect their time – Make sure to respect the contractor’s time and be mindful that they have other clients and projects to manage.
Contractor hires can be a valuable asset to tech companies and can help businesses meet their goals and maximise their success. Hiring a contractor offers specialised skills and expertise, and provides cost-saving, professionalism and incredible adaptability. However, it’s important to assess whether they are the right choice for your company’s needs. In some instances, you might be better off hiring a permanent employee.
If you’re unsure which approach to take, contact us and one of our consultants will provide you with advice on the most suitable hiring strategy for your business.
