Gigging for a living Why HR professionals are looking twice - Your Career Intel

Gigging for a living Why HR professionals are looking twice - Your Career Intel A gig used to be something only musicians, bands and other entertainers called work. Today, there is an entire economy that bears the same name. If you are an HR professional entertaining the idea and benefits of HR contract work, you’re not alone. This article highlights the reasons your peers are gravitating toward independence, and how to find HR contract employment. One of the biggest drivers is the growing landscape: Gallup reported that 36 percent of U.S. workers are involved in the Gig Economy. In a study co-authored by Wharton professor Gad Allon, it is projected that the Gig Economy will grow to around $2.7 trillion by 2025. Gallup characterizes this economy as nontraditional, independent and short-term working relationships between companies and individuals in the work force. It’s known by many other names, too, such as freelance, interim, temporary, contingent, seasonal, contract and contract-to-hire work. Regardless of what you call it, opportunities abound in today’s candidate-driven HR hiring market. What the trend means for HR professionals Many employers have an ongoing need to engage HR talent without long-term commitments. Others want to “try before I buy” when filling key permanent positions. HR professionals have incentives of their own for pursuing this type of work: Choose flexibility, freedom and variety while earning a living Sustain income and build skills while between jobs Gain exposure to many companies and their cultures Create multiple streams of income as a free agent Open the door to strategic, long-term career moves (contract-to-hire jobs) Where HR contractors are needed HR leaders contract out all types of functions to free up full-time employees to focus on driving business goals and performance. Here are a few areas where they are hiring contractors: Research, Reporting and Data Analytics Benefits Program Planning and Administration Employee Training and Development Culture Development and Implementation HR Projects, Programs and Process Development Recruiting and Onboarding Assistance Employee Safety Programs and Auditing Policy and Employee Handbook Maintenance Human Resources Consulting Interim Opportunities Keep your eyes on the IT prize As employers continue to digitize all areas of their operations, including Human Resources, professionals with IT and data skills lead the candidate field for both permanent and contract jobs. Keep this in mind when choosing which contract opportunities to accept. Your exposure to HR technologies will make you infinitely more attractive to employers. The benefits of contracting through an HR recruiter Finding part-time gigs can be a full-time job, even if you effectively market yourself and maintain a constant state of networking. Timing between projects, interviews and onboarding processes are hard to manage while you’re trying to meet current deadlines or working on-site for a company. To sidestep hurdles and maintain steady income, many contractors rely on recruiters to manage the whole process, such as identifying and lining up right-fit projects and arranging interviews, and managing paperwork, payroll, taxes, insurance, benefits, compliance and more. At Lucas Group, we handle these processes internally and offer full health insurance and benefit offerings to our temporary workers. Have questions about what the Gig Economy can do for your life and career? Leave us a message in the comments!