The right tools for recruiting contractors

As our workforce continues to change and evolve, it’s clear that contractors are not slowing down. Every year their numbers are increasing as more and more workers desire more balance in their lives and work, or just the freedom to work from wherever they want.

According to a study by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the contractor industry makes up 15% of the UK workforce. This doesn’t sound like much, but if you think about the size of the UK workforce you’re essentially looking at around 5 million workers. That's a lot.

If you’re recruiting contractors you’ll know they’re a different breed from the temp lot. They require different approaches, but if you get it right, the rewards are far higher once you start looking at day rates and margins. Here's a few things to bear in mind when sourcing and engaging contractors today:

Recruitment CRM Marketing

Posted 23/12/2019

Be in the right industries

While contractors are growing across sectors, some industries lend themselves to the contractor model more than others, so make sure you’re fishing where the fish are. According to LinkedIn statistics, the top industries for contractors are currently:

Media and communications
Corporate services
Software and IT
Finance
Entertainment.

If you’re in these markets they’re currently ripe with contractors, so it might be time to consider who you’re targeting and how you can best hit the top of your leaderboard.

Be in the right locations

Naturally London is number one for contractor talent, but there are other regions that home equally talented contractors. Also, remember that once people switch from temporary positions into a contractor/freelancer life, they often move outside of London for cheaper houses and a slower pace of life. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t be willing to commute in on the days necessary. After London, the top cities are Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow. If you’re having trouble finding the right people, widen your search to include those geographical areas and you might find just what you need.

Be content focused

Everyone understands the importance of content and how it attracts and nurtures prospects, but contractors are typically even more receptive to content than others. The nature of how they find work means they’re always searching, always have an eye on upcoming opportunities and are always hunting for their own food. Even if they’re in positions and working a current contract, they’ll keep an eye on upcoming jobs. Because a contractor mainly finds work on the strength of their network, they’re forever open to making new connections which is a great opportunity for any recruiter. Ramp up your content focus, get creative with job ads and spend time honing your InMails. The likelihood is you will get a response, so ensure your message is compelling and stands out. Use your software to schedule content and engage with your audience. Access Recruitment CRM is built to constantly build relationships and add value to your network.

Be aware

According to LinkedIn, contractors want a good work/life balance, excellent compensation, attractive benefits and challenging/exciting work. If you’re working with clients who can provide those things, make sure your content is tailored to showcase these factors. If you already know what they want then you’ve got some easy wins here. You’re also in a position to advise your clients on the right packages for contractors to make sure they’re not missing out on the best talent.

Be on LinkedIn

Of course you’re always on LinkedIn, that's a given! However, if you’re in the market for some contractors, it’s safe to say they’re all hanging out here. They understand that they need to stay aware and present for continued income, so they’re more susceptible to approaches. In light of this, LinkedIn has even published their own guidelines on finding contractors on their platform.