Why the sudden increase in demand for interim communications professionals?

Ensuring the completion of projects, strategy planning for 2020 and the freeze of hiring permanent staff (due to political uncertainty) are three of the main contributing factors to the increasing demand for contractors as we approach the end of 2019. 
As a specialist communications recruitment agency, we have recently noticed that not only are several our clients recruiting more temporary communications professionals but there is an increasing appetite among our candidates to work on an interim or contract basis. Below is a summary about the benefits of exploring the market both as a contractor/interim worker and hiring manager.

• Contractors are renowned for adding huge value to any business, as usually an experienced, skilled temporary employee is hired to essentially ‘get the job done’. 
  
• The clear benefit to the client is the ability to parachute in niche skillsets to deliver specific projects or provide cover for substantive staff without the cost of training or supervision. It can also be a benefit to bring someone in who has worked in several different companies/environments as they can offer fresh ideas to teams that may have not been exposed to different ways of working.
  
• It’s no secret that there is a lot of uncertainty in the current political climate, but organisations have to adapt a ‘business as usual’ approach – hiring a contractor can resolve any long-term commitment and hesitation around hiring plans and headcount, but will enable you to deliver business plans effectively.
  
• Becoming a contractor can offer you flexibility, freedom, an opportunity to develop your experience and upskill, as well as gaining exposure to a variety of different sectors and organisations.  Together with a strong work ethic, this can lead to quick career progression, with healthy earning potential! 

Before exploring the contract market, it’s important to consider and establish the changes to IR35. As a business we can offer a number of payroll options, which will help turn around your contract within a couple of days. 
For more information about working on a contract or interim basis or to find out more about the current state of the market, please contact Amber Jacques.

.