Surprise: Senior Executives Sought in Gig Economy [Infographic]

John Reese — December 13, 2017

— December 13, 2017

When it comes to the U.S. gig economy—the job market that consists largely of freelancers and short-term contractors—it’s intuitive to think that the bulk of workers would be Millennials or those with less experience in a given industry.

That may be the case, but more experienced workers are in high demand as well. Some 47 percent of business leaders say they’re looking to hire contractors in management or senior executive roles—including C-suite positions—according to a new research study from Mavenlink.

This finding may be surprising, but when you consider the attributes more experienced contractors bring to the table, it makes sense. Seasoned contractors often come with a specialized degree or at least a decade of experience within a given field–very attractive qualities for business leaders looking to add decision-makers quickly.

This on-demand work environment can be a win for both business owners and employees:

From a business owner’s perspective, the ability to secure experienced talent on a temporary basis can be an efficient way to add expert workers without requiring extensive onboarding. Meanwhile, from an employee’s point of view, job flexibility and the opportunity to gain a diversity of experiences are both attractive propositions.

Hiring executive-level contactors gives business leaders a good amount of flexibility as well. If an experienced freelancer comes in and knocks it out of the park, the employer can extend a longer-term offer. Conversely, if the contractor doesn’t seem right for the position, both sides can move on with minimal fuss.

Indeed, Mavenlink’s research found that 79 percent of business leaders consider the use of contractors to be a competitive advantage, and another 61 percent said they consider agility critical to their success. Businesses are starting to recognize the growth advantages of using these “super temps”, and the trend is only likely to take off further.

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