A Brief Look at Hiring Subcontractors

So, you’ve landed your biggest client ever, and business couldn’t be busier! While that sounds like a blessing, it can also put a lot of unnecessary stress on your permanent staff members. From the c-suite to the mailroom, when business is booming, everyone feels it.

To help your business grow without the pains, Top Applicant suggests looking into subcontractors! In their collective years of management experience, our hiring experts have filled positions of about every shape and scope. Having subcontracting explained can help you decide whether it’s the right move for your business. So, here’s a brief look into what a subcontractor is, and what they aren’t.

What a Subcontractor Is:

Subcontractors are results-oriented, readily available professionals who can take on moderately difficult tasks with very little training. As a subcontractor, employees have a lot of freedom; however, they don’t have much representation. Businesses aren’t required to pay into taxes or provide benefits to subcontractors. These are the main reasons our experts recommend hiring subcontractors:

two subcontractors are listening to a hiring manager

Security

There are scores of subcontractors ready to work at a moment’s notice. That means you don’t have to worry about advertising positions or vetting candidates. When you need an extra pair of hands, most subcontractors can begin working much quicker than a new employee.

Motivation

Without benefits and a set date of termination, subcontractors know the score from the minute they walk in. If they do well, you’ll most likely want to hire them again. Better, faster work leads to more, regular money. This is why subcontractors are often more motivated than salaried or hourly employees.

Efficacy

By hiring subcontractors, your team can tackle the big tasks at hand. This helps prevent burnout in the busy times, and turnover in the long-term. Converting an efficient employee is easy as you expand your workforce. So, keep your current employees happy and increase your productivity!

What a Subcontractor Isn’t:

While subcontracting, explained above, has numerous benefits, not every position is fit for contract-based work. Successful subcontractors use these positions to gain experience across industries while commanding a higher wage. This makes them more expensive and less devoted to your company. Here’s why you may want to avoid hiring a subcontractor:

A woman at a table is distracted from her subcontracting work

Cheap

The national average salary income for subcontractors is between $78,000 and $100,000! Can you afford to only temporarily fill a position for that amount? If you wait until you’re in over your head, you may have no choice. That’s why we suggest considering full- or part-time positions for regular roles over subcontracting.

Attached

Because a subcontractor is a results-oriented worker, you shouldn’t expect them to buy into your company values. This detachment can be helpful if you only need help in the short-term. However, too many detached employees can disintegrate your company culture. To fuel growth, there’s no replacement for full- and part-time staff members.

100% Reliable

You won’t get along with everyone you meet. So, you shouldn’t expect everyone to get along with your company! Because this level of employment comes with much fewer strings, subcontractors aren’t always reliable employees. For accountable, temporary help, we suggest finding a trusted temp agency. 

Pros and Cons of Temp Workers

a man is speaking to a woman on a rooftop patio about being a subcontractor

Keep It Brief

When you need to hire, you shouldn’t have to sift through stacks of resumes. Instead, get matched with the right employees for you with Top Applicant! With in-depth profiles, detailed matchmaking, and streamlined communication, we put the human back in human resources.

But don’t just take our word for it! Take the next generation of hiring for a test drive by building your profile and posting your positions for free.

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