When skilled talent is in high demand, hiring managers must tailor their hiring strategies and open roles to better meet the preferences of job seekers. As more and more candidates desire short-term jobs or freelance-type work, it has led to the rise of the gig economy. It’s estimated that by 2020, 40% of Americans will be working outside of traditional permanent full-time jobs. Nowhere is this future more visible than in the creative field. A study of LinkedIn users found that 46% of all freelancers work in Art/Design and 35% work in Media/Communication. In all, creatives make up 80% of the gig economy. Project-Based Jobs are Increasing
This news may not come as a big surprise to industry insiders, as the creative field lends itself to project-based roles better than other fields. Along with an increased focus on project management, marketing and advertising companies have been more apt to focus on a greater number of shorter-term tasks, each with their own goals and objectives. Agency campaigns will often have a very specific but limited shelf life, which means Graphic Designers, Writers, Illustrators, Web Designers, Social Media Managers, and others can more easily compartmentalize their careers. In addition to the work itself instigating change, creatives often prefer a series of gigs rather than one static permanent job, proven by the 66% of freelancers in America who are freelancing by choice. The gig economy allows a working professional to take more control over their career. There’s more variety in the things they work on and greater flexibility as they can pace themselves and better balance work with their personal life. It’s liberating for many to realize they don’t have to be “stuck” doing the same thing every day indefinitely and can decide when and for how long to take vacations in between jobs. At a time when it’s hard to find skilled talent, employers must bend to the will of those they want to hire. For additional hiring strategies for the creative field, download The 2018 Creative Salary Guide here Remote Work Is More Feasible Is it necessary to require a Graphic Designer to work within the confines of an office 100% of the time? What about a Copywriter? Many creative roles only require an internet connection and laptop for professionals to do their job. Combined with project-based roles in the creative gig economy, this means that more positions are going at least partially remote. Remote work gives creatives added flexibility in their schedules, allowing them to work late at night if that’s when they are at their creative peak. Additionally, remote workers are generally more productive, happier, and feel more valued than their non-remote counterparts. A Balance in Properly Vetting Candidates Is Important As temporary roles become the norm in the creative field, many hiring managers are finding themselves unsure how to properly screen these candidates. On one hand, a short-term worker won’t be around forever and can perhaps be scrutinized less than a permanent worker. On the other hand, not properly vetting a candidate might result in a subpar work product. However, spending too long examining temporary talent is equally unproductive. The goal of vetting candidates within a gig economy should be to focus on the essential responsibilities needed and how the candidate can fulfill them. Luckily, nearly every creative role produces some sort of evidence, or portfolio, that can showcase a candidate’s ability to do the job. Hiring managers shouldn’t be afraid to rely heavily on such proof in order to make a quick hiring decision. Otherwise, dragging a potential temporary employee through a long hiring process brings with it many perils. Video Interviewing Comes to the Rescue There’s no question that interviews where a hiring manager can sit face to face with a candidate, shake their hand, and look them in the eye are helpful, but in a gig economy where remote work is allowing talent to operate from anywhere, they are becoming unnecessary. For those businesses that simply cannot imagine hiring even a temporary employee based off a portfolio and resume alone, video interviewing provides a quick, convenient, and cheap solution. One study found that over 60% of companies already use some form of video interviewing for their hiring needs, further proof that hiring strategies must adapt with the times. The Rise of the Creative Gig Economy As candidate preferences continue to shape the industry, businesses will be forced to choose between changing with the times or falling behind. Those who embrace the creative gig economy will not just be able to hire more effectively, but will enjoy an increase of agility. When a specialized skill is only needed for a specific project, they can secure that talent quickly, successfully complete the tasks at hand, and won’t be tied to that resource afterward. It can truly be a win-win scenario for the modern business leader. Looking for more insights and tips for hiring in the creative field? Download your complimentary 2018 Creative Salary Guide today
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