The tech industry has always been a proponent of contract-based hiring models. While many might credit the pandemic for this change, some industry purists say it was both expected and anticipated – a long time in coming. Part of the reason why tech companies hire contractors is the profitability upside coupled with the prospect of reduced internal costs and liability. In the simplest terms, it’s logical to engage contract consultants when the need for skilled talent is a temporary or evolving, one.
Using an independent contractor is a viable option for most technologies. How so? Read on as we explore the reasons for this.
Why Tech Employees Prefer Contracting
Only a decade ago, employees were generally interested in permanent employment and corporate positions exclusively. This outlook has evolved, and tech professionals are gravitating toward contract engagements over direct hire roles. These reasons are driving the change:
#1. Flexibility and Freedom
There was a time when real estate and mortgage were some of the only career routes that offered significant working flexibility and freedom, a characteristic of the nature of those businesses. At one point, many IT professionals were exclusively bound to roles in offices. Now, instead of searching for “mortgage staffing agencies near me,” professionals have opened up a limitless number of options for engagement across the country, regardless of where they live and perform their work.
IT professionals, who want freedom and flexibility in their routines and working environment, are more content with contracting as it promotes a considerable work-life balance. In short, it gives them more control over their workload and output cadence.
#2. Better Revenue
Contract workers in the IT industry have the opportunity to earn more in contract engagements than in direct-hire roles. As the terms of their engagement with the end client usually does not include traditional benefits like paid vacations, and other perks, contractors usually receive a higher paycheck.
#3. Testing The Waters
Mutually beneficial for organizations and candidates alike, contract employment offers IT professionals the opportunity to gain experience by working on different projects and with different teams, all in order to gauge mutual suitability and fit. Contract work is a perfect opportunity for entry-level candidates to broaden their technical skills from the outset, and to receive exposure not often afforded from full-time roles that focus on one specific department or discipline.
How Tech Companies Benefit from Contract-Based Hiring
Contract and contract-to-hire roles are equally beneficial for startups and tech giants. Let’s explore some of these benefits:
#1. Staffing Flexibility
Contracting gives employers the flexibility to hire as needed for a specific project. For businesses with a variable workload, contractors are a great choice. Occasionally, the workload increases beyond the scope of the existing teams. This need could be temporary, however, and the flexibility to hire an IT professional with the assistance of a cybersecurity recruiter can meet the business’s temporary staffing needs without straining the hiring budget.
#2. More Profit, Less Liability
Entrepreneurs typically have a “minimum internal costs, maximum profit” mindset, especially as it relates to IT staffing. In contract-based hiring, this ratio is the highest.. However, the work that contract and contract-to-hire consultants perform often leaves a substantial and profitable impact on the business. In the end, the net profit is far higher than the internal costs of temporary staffing.
#3. Overcoming the Talent Shortage
As previously mentioned, the skills and expertise of a tech worker are often invaluable. However, there is presently an acute shortage of talent; there are not enough technical professionals available to fill open roles in the market, most often because corporations and companies attract most of the best candidates.
As a consequence, smaller businesses and startups are usually left in the dark. They fail to attract ideal candidates for their positions and often turn to a staffing agency austin to assist with filling their employment gaps. In so doing, one viable solution is to engage experienced and well-known tech professionals on a contract and contract-to-hire basis. In this fashion, startups can still benefit from the knowledge of skilled professionals, even if they are not available for permanent employment.
Conclusion
The contract-to-hire approach is here to stay. Both companies and professionals have realized its importance and benefits. Any reversal of this growing trend is unlikely. In fact, it will likely continue to evolve and change the nature of the modern workplace even more than it has to this point. The possibilities are endless!
