Hiring is often a long, difficult, and time-consuming process. Finding the right fit for a semiconductor technical position is hard enough, but add the time it takes to work out the details of the new position, file all the appropriate paperwork, and get the new employee set up to get started and it's clear what a big commitment a new hire is.
It presents a frustrating conundrum: when the work at your company gets too overwhelming and everybody is swamped, bringing new people in to help actually slows everything down for a while. If you have to deal with employee turnover on top of that, it makes the whole process feel like a waste.
Making use of contract positions can help alleviate some of those issues. There are two options for bringing on a contractor to help your business get more done.
- In a temporary position to help complete a particular project on time and/or to fill in a gap in the skill sets your current employees have.
- In a contract-to-hire position, to give the company and potential employee a chance to see if they're a good fit.
Both types of contractors can provide clear benefits to a company.
1) They can save you time.
Hiring a contractor can be a much simpler process than hiring a new employee. If you're rushing to meet deadlines or get projects done on schedule, the difference can be meaningful.
If the contractor you hire is good, they can save you even more time by simplifying the process of finding someone new to hire. If it's a contract-to-hire position, you get to bring on someone you already know is a good fit and not bother with further interviews. Even if they don't turn into an employee at the end of a project, knowing a contractor you can depend on for good work is a valuable asset.
2) They can save you money.
Contractors don't require the benefits that are standard for employees. You're not responsible for things like health insurance, paid vacation, or paying into unemployment. For contract-to-hire candidates, you save in the long-term by vetting candidates in advance. You don't have to worry about the costs and other pain points associated with high employee turnover.
3) They can present a new skill set and outside perspective.
No matter how good your team already is, there's usually a benefit to hearing from someone new. New ideas, especially coming from someone with a set of skills and strengths distinct from your current employees, can make work on a project stronger or more efficient. Someone not used to your current system will have an easier time thinking outside of it and giving new, unique feedback.
You'll also likely find there are times a semiconductor project comes up that requires skills or knowledge that aren't the specialties of anyone on your current team. Bringing in an outside expert will make meeting your goals much easier than trying to learn something new from scratch.
You don't want to use the contract work as an opportunity to take advantage of a worker. Make sure that you only offer contract-to-hire positions if you're planning to hire someone full time if things work out. For many workers who prefer a more flexible career path or want a chance to get a feel for a business before committing to an employee position, contracting brings its own benefits. Strive to make sure the relationship is beneficial for both of you. Making a positive connection to a new, talented semiconductor professional can only be good for your company in the long term.
Ready to get started hiring contractors at your company? Download our Quick Start Guide for tips to effectively create and fill new contract positions.
