3 Ways to Find and Keep Top Independent Professional Talent

By MBO Partners • March 15, 2022

4 MIN

Independent professional with long-term client

Key points

Marketplaces are online platforms that enable independent talent to connect with a client directly online, which eliminates the need for a third party like a staffing company.
Some of the top drivers of client satisfaction are freedom, control, flexibility, and communication.
Build an employment brand that resonates with the talent you want and incorporating policies and procedures geared towards the way independents want to work.

Independent talent are a growing part of the workforce for many leading organizations today. Independent contractors offer companies the ability to bring a valuable set of skills to a project for a specific period of time. This approach helps to minimize employment costs and increase flexibility. But as the demand for independent workers grows—especially those with high-end skills—how can you find reliable talent and keep top performers coming back?

First, understand that finding and attracting independent talent is an entirely different recruiting game than hiring traditional employees. It’s important to rethink and redesign your recruiting strategy to meet the needs of this unique talent pool. By prioritizing smooth onboarding and a culture of feedback and communication, your company will become much more attractive to top independent talent.

Follow these three steps to successfully find the independent talent you’re looking for, provide them with a top-notch work experience, and keep them coming back.

1. Use Technology to Find Independent Talent

As the use of independent talent grows, so does technology to support these types of work relationships. The majority of independent professionals will have their own website to showcase samples of their work, or enterprise managers may use a staffing agency to find talent that will be engaged on a temporary basis. Other organizations find it helpful to reach out to independent talent on their own career site, advertising project opportunities specific to independent contractors.

Online marketplaces: the best way to engage talent

One of the most useful tools, however, are online marketplaces. Marketplaces are online platforms that connect independent talent with projects. These platforms enable independent talent to connect with a client directly online, which eliminates the need for a third party like a staffing company.

Independent talent complete a profile that lists their experience and can then search for or be matched with available opportunities at your company that fit their skillset. You can then view potential candidates and select the person you want for the project.

2. Learn What Independent Talent Value in a Client Relationship

Independent talent with in-demand skills have a lot of choice in picking the clients they work with—89% reported having some or a lot of choice in choosing their clients. That means, in order to get the talent you want, it’s important to learn what independents want from a client relationship.

Prioritize: freedom, control, flexibility, communication

Some of the top drivers of client satisfaction are freedom, control, flexibility, and communication. By understanding what drives independents and incorporating these values, companies can build stronger relationships from the start.

Talk to managers about how to be better communicators by proactively discussing engagement processes and procedures with independents, and responding to questions in a timely manner. Ensure full-time staff understand that because independent contractors fall under a different classification of workers than W-2 employees, they are free to determine where, when, and how they complete the work outlined in their contract.

3. Focus Policies and Procedures on Independent Talent

Lastly, with this knowledge in mind, put the pieces together to make your organization attractive to top independent talent. This will involve building an employment brand that resonates with the talent you want and incorporating policies and procedures geared towards the way independents want to work.

Attracting and Keeping top talent

Independents value a fast and straightforward onboarding process. Given the complex regulatory environment for worker classification, many organizations work with an independent contractor engagement provider that can help build an air-tight classification process. This partnership helps to give independents the flexibility they want while creating a positive onboarding and engagement experience. Other best practices include offering competitive payment terms and building a culture that values project-based engagement.