Contracting is a major part of today’s workforce. Around 20 to 30 percent of workers in the United States and in the EU-15 are independent contractors, according to data from the McKinsey Global Institute, with 42 percent of U.S. executives planning on hiring more in the coming years. Forbes has also found that at least half of the U.S. workforce will be a contractor within the next 10 years.
With contractors becoming such a large staple in society, it’s important to know how to get them on your team. Freelancers are taking over the world, with nine-to-five jobs becoming a thing that’s no longer a necessity. One thing about recruiting contractors is understanding the name of the game. Platforms like LinkedIn offer insight into the contracting world, helping companies find the exact type of candidate needed for the job. Here’s how to successfully recruit and source contractors, courtesy of LinkedIn.
It’s Okay to Recruit at the Entry Level
While most contractors have a minimum four years of experience, it’s also okay to recruit at the entry level. There’s a lot of college graduates who are ready and willing to work, especially at the freelance level. A quarter of contractors have been working for 16 years, with the most common experience range five to nine years (27 percent of people are at this level). Keep your options open when looking for contractors.
These Industries Use the Most Contractors
While education and corporate services are near the top of the list, these industries boast the most contractors:
- Software and IT services (223K)
- Media and communications (166K)
- Healthcare (164K)
- Education (154K)
- Corporate services (132K)
When recruiting for contractors, keep these statistics in mind. It’s also important to note that contractors are fluid, open to moving in between different industries. If you’re having trouble finding contractors, start looking in places outside of your comfort zone. Many people are trying to make the switch to freelance work.
Look for These Skills
Some of a contractor’s most common skills center around marketing, project management and planning. Many of these skills fall in the area of promotion (social media, marketing), while others fall in business building (strategic planning) or project management and training. Tech skills such as HTML and data analysis are also growing quickly in response to a growing demand. These are just some of the skills to look for when recruiting and sourcing contractors.
Hire in Los Angeles or Washington D.C.
Yes, the biggest talent pools are going to be New York City and San Francisco. But Los Angeles and Washington D.C. are also very viable places to find quality contractors. Also keep in mind that about 13 percent of contractors were willing to relocate, with a lot of contractors moving to places like Seattle, Portland and Denver. These are just some things to consider when hiring contractors.
No matter what you’re recruiting for, always make sure that your agency has a Staffing Insurance plan in place. When recruiting for nonstandard positions, such as contract work, this coverage becomes particularly important to help guide you and keep your agency protected throughout the recruitment and hiring process.
About World Wide Specialty Programs
For the last 50 years, World Wide Specialty Programs has dedicated itself to providing the optimal products and solutions for the staffing industry. As the only insurance firm to be an ASA commercial liability partner, we are committed to that partnership and committed to using our knowledge of the industry to provide staffing firms with the best possible coverage. For more information about Staffing Professional Liability Insurance or any other coverage, we have available to protect your staffing business, give us a call at (800) 245-9653 to speak with one of our representatives.