Why Hire a Consultant?

Why hire a consultant instead of a permanent employee? Do the benefits outweigh the cost?
Aside from the obvious flexibility, there are several reasons why consultants are the right choice for your office team.

You need expertise. Consultants are hired for their knowledge and experience. They are brought in to solve a problem. They have a fast learning-curve, usually with no down time. Your consultant will have a specialized skill set that may not be available within your current staff, but you can bring that skill set to your team as needed and on demand. They have likely worked for several other companies with issues similar to yours; they will provide perspective, proven results, and some innovative ideas.

Consultants supplement your staff. You may know how to fix the problem but don’t have the time or staff to do so. Consultants begin digging into the job immediately without pulling staff away from their usual work. If the project is a one-off item that requires one person or even one hundred people to do critical work, hiring by the project makes total sense – and is the cost-effective choice. Maybe your staff is over-loaded? Bringing in consultants relieves the pressure without the commitment and onboarding of full-time hiring or the possibility of lay-offs when the busy time has passed.

Consultants are not tangled into office politics. Consultants can give impartial advice with an unbiased eye and without being tied to emotion. Consultants offer fresh eyes and suggestions without worry of how previous results were achieved or how new viewpoints will be received.

Consultants are only there to get the job done. Whether it be the unpleasant task of making staff cuts, revitalizing a lagging department, business development, or creating an accounting system that will take your company into the future – your consultant makes it happen.

Groundswell Contract places the right highly-experienced consultants in contract and interim assignments. Accounting, finance, project management, and technical experts hit the ground running at top-tier clients.

Senior-level accounting, finance, and project management professionals on an interim, contract, project, and permanent-hire basis.

Building your team. Growing your business.

Finding the Right Company Culture

The job description is perfect for you. Your education and experience are exactly what the company needs. Everything about the job seems right, but is the company culture?

Answer these questions to ensure you will be happy in your next role, beyond the job description.

First, before you even step into the interview, take time to think about what makes you content at work. What is important to you beyond the actual work itself?

·         Location? Parking? Is a long commute a deal breaker?

·         Are you drawn to companies because of their charitable work?

·         Is a gorgeous formal office space important you, or do you prefer a casual laid-back vibe?

·         Big corporations a must? Or are small independent businesses more to your liking?

Imagine yourself in an office environment. Think about your style and work habits. What keeps you motivated at work? Know what you value and what aligns with your priorities.

·         Do you get energy from a lively environment or quiet work spaces?

·         Are you a solo project guru or do you prefer collaborative groups?

·         Are long hours always OK, or do you need to be home by a certain time?

·         Do daily meetings keep you on track, or would you prefer little communication?

When you arrive for your interview observe the office environment as much as possible. Is this a space where you can do your best work?

·         Do the people look happy?

·         Is the noise level conducive for your work style?

·         Are the work spaces open, individual offices, are doors open/closed?

·         What’s the dress code?

·         Do you feel energized being there?

Don’t be overly impressed by the on-site lunch chef or team building outings; Get a sense of the culture. Can you picture yourself working at this company, and does your personal life balance with the company? Remember to speak up and ask questions of your interviewer! This job is where you will potentially be spending many hours of your day. 

·         Follow the company on social media. Do you like what you see?

·         Ask your interviewer what a reporter would say about the company?

·         Understand your career values and your personal values. Does the company culture align with your values?

There are no right or wrong answers to the questions listed here, the answers just need to be right for you.

Building your team. Growing your business.
www.GroundswellPartners.com

Groundswell Safe Harbor 401K

Groundswell Partner Darren Benoit outlines our new Safe Harbor 401K plan for W2 consultants

Interviewing: Contract Roles Versus A Permanent Job

When you have an upcoming job interview there are some obvious ways to prepare:

•    Do your research. Be sure you have a good understanding of the company, its product, goals, and management. 
•    See if you have any connections on LinkedIn who may be involved with, or connected to, the company. 
•    You will likely be asked during the interview process what you know about the company, have answers ready.
•    Prepare a few questions which will prompt answers and insight important to you about the company and the job. 
•    Dress professionally, be on time, have a firm handshake, and follow-up with a thank you. 

Additionally, the process will differ depending upon if you’re interviewing for a contract position or permanent role. How you prep and present yourself should differ also.

At Groundswell Contract we tell our contract consultants to remember that they are there to solve a problem for the client. 

•    Educate yourself on the obstacles the client faces and how you are ready and able to solve those issues. 

If you are working with a reputable recruiter, they should prep you as to the needs of the client, the role, and how your skillset and personality are a strong fit. They will also know the programs and technology with which you must be familiar. You will want to showcase your experience and knowledge relating to the specific project for which a consultant is being hired. It’s important to convey how you can hit-the-ground-running. When hiring a contract employee, the client has an immediate need – training time must be kept to a minimum or preferably not be required at all. Their focus, as well as yours, is on the short term. 

Feedback is usually swift for these projects. Your recruiter will know almost immediately if you have been selected for the assignment.

•    Be ready to commit and start the job at once.

The team at Groundswell Search focuses on permanent hiring solutions for their clients and candidates. When you are looking for a permanent role with a company the focus will be on long-term plans and objectives, how your knowledge and goals align with the company’s, and how you could enhance the company’s future success.
  
•    Your education and experience will be examined in a broader sense. 
•    Be sure the company culture is a lasting fit for you and you for the company.
•    Consider long-term plans and potential for promotion.
•    Feedback and the hiring process in general will be a longer timeline.

Preparation and planning are the key components for your successful placement; whether it be in a contract project or your next permanent role.

Building your team. Growing your business.
www.GroundswellPartners.com

Ask The Expert

We asked veteran search professional Derek Hugdahl for some insight into hiring trends in today’s job market.

During your career in corporate recruiting, what are some of the most significant shifts you’ve seen in the finance and accounting market?

                Looking back over the course of the last twenty years, I can think of four major shifts.

1.       Finance and accounting has become heavily integrated into company operations and strategy. Accounting is no longer just a back-office function.

2.       The technology shift has been very significant. Systems and accounting & finance now work hand-in-hand to streamline business operations.

3.       Stringent government regulations, i.e. SOX and Dodd-Frank, had considerable influence on publicly traded companies. We have also seen that impact companies serving those organizations, such as public accounting firms.

4.       There has been a real shift in the type of companies desired by candidates.

Let’s talk about the fourth point. What kind of companies are of most interest to candidates today?

·         Ten to 15 years ago most high-level candidates wanted companies in a pre-IPO state, positioned to go public. It was an exciting time for the companies, and key contributors had options for stock. That incentive played a significant role in attracting top talent. Although this still plays a part, top talent often is looking for a true equity stake in the company, gravitating toward private equity backed companies for several attractive reasons:

o   Less regulations

o   The company and the employees are able to react quickly to changes

o   There is an emphasis on growth

o   Strong financial backing

o   Often a bigger short-term payout

·         Ten to 15 years ago companies were primarily privately held or publicly traded. Today, we see a significant increase in companies which are P.E. backed. There is certainly less long-term stability, but better opportunities for a higher potential upside.

Derek Hugdahl has twenty years of contingent and retained search experience in the senior-level accounting and finance space. Connect with Derek on LinkedIn.

Building your team. Growing your business.
www.GroundswellPartners.com

Finding the Right Hire in a Tight Market

It’s a catch-22. When the market is less than stellar and the unemployment rate is high, great employees hold on to their jobs and don’t take chances with career moves. Yet, when the market is strong and unemployment is low, practically everyone is already planted in a job and experienced candidates seem impossible to find.

Right now, the market is good and hiring is extremely tight. Candidates with the right knowledge, experience, and a match for your company’s needs are probably already working. It’s time to tap into that hidden pool of passive talent. But how do you find them? You need a way to dive into that pool of professionals.

Groundswell has exclusive passive-talent.
Our veteran search team has a network of highly experienced and knowledgeable accounting, finance, project management, and technical professionals who work with Groundswell exclusively. We have the right people to build your team and grow your business. Today’s tight market means it is crucial to work with a search team with the ability to tap into the passive market. Your best employee hire is most likely already working for someone else. You won’t find them, but we already have.

Building your team. Growing your business.
www.GroundswellPartners.com

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