The recent economic downturn forced technology companies to lay off a considerable number of highly skilled senior engineers, many at the peak of their career. Most of them are still willing to continue their work, on a full-time or even part-time basis.

As companies strive to lower operating costs by reducing energy consumption or streamlining operation in a reduced manpower setting, the opportunity exists for them to tap this valuable source of expertise by hiring consultants or contract help. They may do so directly or through consulting firms.

In this article, we attempt to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of hiring a consultant. Since the term is not rigorously defined, in the context of this article a consultant  is someone who renders technical services for a fixed fee (hourly, weekly, lump sum) without being a regular employee. In most cases, a simple contract regulates the conditions of employment, such as fees, duration, and termination.

Advantages

• The hiring company can choose a professional with specialized knowledge in the field of interest.
• An outsider is more likely to think "out-of-the-box", which can bring in innovation.
• As they are normally paid by the hour,  consultants tend to be more efficient and focused, knowing that their continued services are dependent on short-term results
• Since they are not in the "rat race", consultants are more likely to get help from lower level management, as they are perceived as helpers, not competitors for promotions
• In certain situations, because they are not part of the company hierarchy, consultants are more likely to suggest solutions or point out deficiencies that lower-level management would not venture due to political implications.
• Consultants are retained on a short-term contract and can be terminated on short notice. This is particular important in troubled times, when companies are not comfortable with making long-term commitments.
• Finally, having someone working as a consultant is a low-risk way of recruiting talent. Many consultants are indeed hired as permanent employees by their satisfied clients.

Disadvantages

• Since consultants can in theory work for competitors, safeguarding of intellectual property or business information may be a concern in some cases. These are normally handled by contractual clauses, which could, for example, bar the consultant from working for competitors for a period of x years. In the end, it all boils down to selecting reputable consultants, since, if you think about it, regular employees can also leave the company and pass on critical information to a competitor, although less likely.
• Continuity can be a problem, as availability of a certain consultant is not guaranteed in the future, should follow-up work become necessary. (A solution to this problem is hiring the consultant permanently, as discussed above).

Finding a Consultant

If direct contracting is preferred, hiring a consultant is similar to hiring a regular employee, so standard tactics (job postings, use of recruiting agencies, resume selection, interviews, etc.) apply. Make sure to mention that it is a contract job and its expected duration, as this will eliminate candidates that are in the market for permanent jobs only. Also the job requirements should mention the specific skills and knowledge that are being sought.

If a quicker route is preferred, consulting firms may be used, since they normally possess a pool of selected professionals and their resumes. Although part of the selection process will be handled by the consulting firm, interviewing candidates is important to make sure there is a clear understanding on both sides as to the nature of the task or project.process.

A third option is "networking", that is, looking for direct referral from people you trust who know or may have used consultants in the past. This is probably the most effective way to find good candidates in a short time.

No matter what recruiting method is used,  key personnel that will interface with the consultant should be included in the selection process.

Our Network Can Help

As a service to our network members, we will be glad to post your job announcement on our website. If you wish, we will not publish your company's name and only disclose it to the candidates who answer the posting to our email address. If you prefer, we can recommend to you qualified people whom we know in the areas of plant process design, including, heat transfer, distillation, and other process equipment. They are usually highly skilled retired people who enjoy working on short-term jobs in their field of expertise.

Conclusion

In this article we tried to make the case for hiring consultants as a convenient way to obtain good professional help during times when normal hiring is not an option. If you have comments or suggestions on this subject,  please be sure to email our This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it , who will be happy to share your views with our network members.