Having a solid IT team in place gives any company or enterprise the “IT” factor it’s looking for. (Pun fully intended.) Having that reliable crew of systems analysts, network engineers and admins, and tech support engineers and reps is crucial to the success of any organization.
But finding and assembling this IT A-Team can be a challenge when short-term or project-based needs come into play and time is of the essence. This is where contract IT hires come in.
Could a contract hire for your IT department be a smarter move in these moments than launching an arduous, lengthy search for a full-timer? Are there benefits inherent to going the contract route that can’t be found in recruiting talent for staff?
Yes to all, in fact. And here’s why:
Contract IT Hires Offer More Flexibility
If there’s one advantage above all others that a temp/contract worker can offer, it’s this. A contractor on your IT team can be brought in for specific projects or needs, and then released once their contract ends. This can be especially useful for organizations that experience seasonal fluctuations in workload, or when short-term projects arise frequently. In this sense, these are the specialties of contract IT workers, helping to fill in gaps in your team without the long-term commitment of a permanent employee — no strings attached.
Contract IT Hires Cultivate Cost-Effectiveness
Cost savings: it’s an aspect, and another advantage, of taking a contract IT hire on board for the time being. Owing to their temporary status, they are exempt from receiving certain benefits that you’d provide to a permanent employee. (This is, of course, understood by all parties upon bringing a temp on board.) For example, you may not have to offer them health insurance or retirement benefits, which can save your organization a significant amount of money.
Additionally, because contract IT workers are typically hired through a staffing agency, the agency takes care of most, if not all, administrative and HR functions, such as payroll and taxes. This can reduce time and expenses spent on administrative tasks, as well as ensure that all legal requirements are being met.
Contract IT Hires Carry Specialized Skills
Frequently employed to fill gaps in skills or knowledge that your in-house team may not have, whether it’s cybersecurity, cloud computing, or software development, contract IT hires bring specialized skills to the table that can help take your business to the next level. For example, say you’re working on a project that requires expertise in a specific programming language or technology, you can hire a contract worker with that focused skill set. This ensures that your project is completed on time and to a high standard without having to invest in training your existing team.
Contract IT Hires Reduce Your Risk
When you hire a full-time employee, there is always a risk involved. What if they don’t perform up to expectations? What if they don’t fit in with the company culture? Here, you can all but remove these doubts. If you’re not satisfied with their work, you can end the contract and move on without having to go through the process of firing an employee. The benefits? Saved time and money, plus the addition of peace of mind knowing that you have a way out if things don’t work out. Remember that this agreement is stipulated at the beginning of a contract employee’s tenure, so all parties are on the same page.
Contract IT Hires Produce Quick Turnaround
When you hire a contract IT professional, they can quickly get to work on your project without the need for a lengthy onboarding process. As experienced professionals, they can hit the ground running, expediting tasks and processes faster than a new full-time hire could, at least initially, given the amount of training and acclimation needed to adjust to a new permanent role. Particularly helpful when you have a project that needs to be completed quickly, chalk up contract hires for the win.
Take Advantage of “Just in Time” Staffing
Since being founded three decades ago in Buffalo, N.Y., AP Rochester takes a proprietary “just in time” approach to staffing large projects quickly with select, top-shelf talent, allowing companies to be more agile and responsive in their needs and project deadlines. We’re committed to an ethical and professional approach to tech recruiting, working with you every step of the way to recruit the best talent, whether it’s a contract IT hire, or temp-to-permanent hire that can add to and benefit your team in more ways than one.
Ready to recruit? Contact AP Rochester today.