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Interim Staffing Firms Provide Marketing Professionals
by Jean Ban
The use of freelancers in the advertising agency business has been popular for many years. Copywriters, art directors and strategists have long been hired on an as -needed basis to contribute fresh ideas. Now, corporations and client companies of all sizes are using freelancers hired through interim staffing firms for other functions in the marketing mix.
Interim staffing firms are placing qualified freelancers and independent professionals into brand marketing, direct marketing and promotional marketing positions as well as marketing communications, public relations and corporate communications jobs. Freelancers also work as graphic designers, digital artists and copywriters. They provide as-needed expertise for special projects, as fill-ins for staff members on vacation or family leave, or as permanent part-time members of a department.
There are several reasons for the surging popularity of hiring independent professionals for interim or project-oriented work. More organizations realize the benefit of hiring highly skilled professionals for specific tasks, only as they need them, without incurring the cost of full-time staff. Because more professionals want to work as independent professionals, there are more highly skilled people available for this type of employment. And finally, companies often bring someone into the organization as a freelancer as a way to work with them prior to transitioning the person into a full-time permanent position. These placements are often called “temp to perm.”
WHY WORK WITH AN INTERIM STAFFING FIRM?
Save Time and Money: Utilizing a good staffing firm saves you the time and money of recruiting freelancers yourself.
Selection: With one call to a staffing company, you should be able to access multiple candidates that fit your specifications. Good firms maintain large rosters of candidates, who should already be pre-screened and “checked out” so you can hire with confidence someone who is an excellent match for your assignment.
Legal Peace of Mind: Look for staffing firms that function as the employer of record for the professionals they place. That means they pay the freelancers as their employees, deducting for taxes and FICA and making the employer mandatory contributions to FICA, medicare and unemployment. This can avoid the legal issues arising from hiring individuals direct as independent contractors.
STRATEGIES FOR SELECTING AN INTERIM STAFFING FIRM
There are several strategies you can implement to identify and work effectively with a quality staffing firm.
Choose a Specialist: Work with a staffing firms which understand your business. Find companies that work in marketing, communications, advertising, public relations and creative niches. For example, don’t rely on a staffing company that places administrative people to find the award-winning creative mind that you need for a new ad campaign. Also, work with one that maintains a large database of talented individuals with top-notch skills.
Know Who You’re Getting: Make sure that your firm registers candidates who are dedicated freelancers, and not individuals with full-time jobs looking for work on the side. This will ensure that you are going to see candidates with ample time to complete your projects.
Define Your Needs: Good staffing firms maintain active files on professionals with a diverse range of skills and workstyle preferences. Therefore, it is mutually beneficial to be as specific as possible when you place an order. For example, describe the project’s activities versus the job title. How many years of experience are required? Do you need new ideas or someone to implement an existing plan? Can the person work on-site or off-site? How long will the project last? Is it five days per week, or part time? Who will the person report to? Will the person interact with others to get the job done?
Dedicate a Budget: Be sure to express your budget parameters. Decide ahead of time if your project will be cost effective on an hourly basis, day rate or project rate. Keep in mind, highly skilled professionals command higher compensation. However, they may be able to complete a job more quickly than a less experienced individual.
Examine the Paperwork: Virtually all staffing firms have a standard letter of agreement to define the terms of the business relationship. Take the time to read the documents and ask as many questions as needed. Additionally, request information on the costs of facilitating a transition of a freelancer from temporary to permanent should you want this option.
Confidentiality Agreements: If your company relies upon keeping proprietary information confidential, you may request that the firm, as well as the freelancer sign your company’s agreement.
Act Quickly: Once you begin doing business with a firm and start interviewing candidates, make your hiring decisions quickly. Be aware that freelancers need to work as much as possible and may choose other job offers if you take too long to make one of your own.
Candidate Reference Checks: Ask if the firm checks candidates’ references. Quality staffing companies have already done the legwork of collecting and following-up with references, saving you time. Make sure candidates have received good reviews on the types of skills you will be requiring.
Corporate References: A quality firm will be happy to provide references. Ask to speak to other companies that came to the firm with similar needs to yours. Or, ask the firm for references such as its bank, law firm or outside accountant. You should look for good business practices in all of your vendors.
Satisfaction Guaranteed: Make sure that your written agreement with the firm addresses the issue of your satisfaction with the freelancer. Find out what happens if the person cannot complete the assignment due to illness or other reasons? Does the firm have other candidates to fill in? How can they help you stay on track and meet your deadlines?
Jean Ban is Executive Vice President of Paladin Staffing Services, a staffing company focused on placing marketing, advertising, communications, pr and creative professionals in interim and project-based jobs. Check out Paladin’s web site for more information (www.paladinstaff.com).
