The annual Hays Salary Guide, which surveyed more than 3,400 organisations, has revealed that more than 22 per cent of organisations employed temporary or contract staff at the senior level over the past 12 months, with another six per cent employing executive or c-suite candidates for short-term needs.
The report has also shown that 58 per cent utilised entry-level temporary and contract staff and 59 per cent employed the mid-level short-term staff.
According to Hays Managing Director ANZ Nick Deligiannis, senior and executive level candidates are typically employed on a short-term basis to run projects, manage transformations or to provide non-core skills, which are only required for a small amount of time.
“The lengthy nature of senior and executive recruitment processes also leads many employers to call in a candidate who can ensure business as usual until a new, permanent employee can commence,” he said.
High value skills
These candidates are typically able to add highly skilled value from the start with little or no training, according to Mr Deligiannis, and are able to meet particular targets over a short period of time.
Reportedly, the skills employers look for in temporary candidates include:
- Problem solving skills (48 per cent of employers).
- Communication skills (43 per cent).
- Technology and digital and trade-specific skills (both 40 per cent).
- Project management skills (28 per cent).
- Stakeholder engagement skills (21 per cent).
Suitable candidates
“Such jobs are not for everyone,” Mr Deligiannis said, “but the constant variety, exposure to new systems and flexibility to select assignment … do attract many.”
Mr Deligiannis adds that these roles are often also suitable for executives looking to transition into retirement.