Are you looking for new talent but not sure if you should keep them in-house or contract out? Read on for the benefits and drawbacks of full time employees vs freelancers…
When you’re developing your business, it can be difficult to decide whether the work should be done by freelancers or full time employees.
There are pros and cons for internal and external resources, and we list the main ones below…
Freelancers are flexible
If your business is part of an industry with great flexibility in terms of the volume of work, it can be difficult to balance the load in the office. If there’s scarce work available, full time employees might be getting paid to do very little. However, if there’s a lot to do, in-house resources can be overstretched. Freelancers can be hired to fulfil exact needs, without compromising on quality.
In-house employees are experienced
Though freelancers are often perfect for shorter-term projects that don’t require much familiarity with the business or product, they sometimes aren’t suited to in-depth internal projects. When time is of the essence, explaining the ins and outs of a particular business facet or project to an external resource can take up precious work time. In-house, full time employees are likely better familiarised with the important details.
Freelancers can be more cost-effective
If you’re only in need of certain skills for a fixed period of time, it’s often more expensive to hire an in-house resource with the necessary skills. Hiring a contractor with a very specific skillset is probably better for certain projects, as you’ll get the skills you need, but on a flexible contract that might be more financially accessible. Also, freelancers often don’t need a physical space to work in – something that might be important when considering renting office space.
In-house employees are more reliable
When it comes to the crunch, you want to employ people who are reliable under pressure. While many freelancers consistently deliver work on time and to standard, finding a reliable, constant contract worker can be difficult. By using in-house resources, you can guarantee that work will be completed on time because you can check if things are on schedule.
Both are valid choices
When it comes to picking an internal or an external resource, it’s all about finding the right person for the job at hand. Your company may have varying needs over time, and judging if you need a freelancer or an in-house employee may be an evolving process as projects develop. Both have their advantages, so it’s best to consider both when hiring new members of the team.
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