How to get the most out of your contractors

Contractors can be a brilliant addition to any organisation, adding much-needed value during periods of high workloads and skills shortages. For many companies, they’re a cost-effective way to add resources temporarily and without long periods of training and on-boarding, allowing for flexibility and fast turnaround when you need it most. But how can you be sure you’re getting the most out of the contractors you bring into your business?

Involve the rest of your organisation

One of the best ways to use contractors is during periods of increased activity and heightened workloads when your core staff would be unable to complete all the required work within the set timeframe. Before you bring on contractors for the first time (or for a major project), it’s a good idea to consult others within your organisation to ensure these new workers will be used as efficiently as possible. Take a holistic look at your business requirements to identify skills gaps and shortages, both immediately and into the future. Speak to managers about what they need from new talent and ensure team members know who is coming on board and why. If permanent staff feel threatened by the use of contractors, explain to them that such resourcing will allow them to focus on their core business objectives without getting bogged down in additional tasks.

Select your contractors carefully

While it can be less risky to bring in contractors as opposed to permanent staff, you still need to carefully vet new workers to ensure they’re not only a good fit for your team, but are capable and competent to do the work required of them. Ask for references, check qualifications and be clear on expectations around availability, particularly if contractors are relocating for work or you expect you might extend the contract. Don’t neglect job descriptions for contractors as it’s important that you both know exactly what is expected from both business and worker.

If you use a recruitment agency to support your resourcing, they should do the bulk of this for you, providing you only with candidates who can not only do the job, but do it well. At Quanta, we typically send clients no more than three CVs as we are confident that our application process selects only the most proficient candidates. Once you have worked with qualified contractors you can trust, you can build up a pool of candidates you can call on time and time again.

Make it easy for them

Many long-term contractors find themselves moving around the country - and the world - as new work arises. These professionals become accustomed to travelling for work and typically can slot into new environments quickly and easily, but undoubtedly appreciate any assistance you can give them when it comes to this adjustment. Quanta’s international mobilisation process is one way we help contractors settle into their new roles, providing relevant information and support before, during and after the contract period. We’re knowledgeable about the locations our contractors work in and provide them with information on local accommodation, housing, schools and cost of living, helping to ensure any move is as smooth as possible. We also hold contractor nights out and networking events to get to know our contractors better and build a community.

Other ways of ensuring contractors feel comfortable in their work environments include prompt, straightforward payment, providing regular updates on expected timeframes, regular, honest feedback and clear communications regarding deliverables. If your contractor feels comfortable and taken care of on the job, they’ll be more likely to produce quality work.

Use a reputable agency

Possibly the best - and easiest - way to make your contract experience a success is by using a reputable recruitment agency to support your resourcing needs. This can save you time and money spent on searching for the perfect candidate, as the right agency will have a dedicated pool of talent they can call upon to meet your requirements.

We’re incredibly proud of the highly skilled, reliable and professional contractors we provide at Quanta. If you want to know more about working with us, take a lot at our online client informationsection. For more information, get in touch with us here.