You are an employer who is seeking a contractor or consultant. Here’s why it works for you. You get a better price than you would through a staffing agency. And consultants and contractors who are truly independent are some of the best talent in town. They are independent because they have proven skills and prefer to work this way.
Are you another type of staffing agency?
No. This is a local self help business referral network. We support ourselves and those bringing opportunities to the group through small referral bonuses. This means that you are able to negotiate a more realistic rate with the independent consultant or contractor without having the staffing agency markup.
Is there a fee to post a need?
No. As an employer you can send in your needs, and we’ll make sure the membership sees it, usually same day. You and the member negotiate directly on the fees for services, and all other contractual arrangements. PDXICons is simply a focal point for bringing together employers needs for independent consultants.
What about full time positions?
Don’t bring them here. Our membership is focused on skilled specialists who sometimes have multiple customers on contract. They usually aren’t interested in full time positions. But if you hire a consultant and it turns into a full time hire, that’s between you and the consultant. There are no strings attached by PDXICons.
So the Employer pays nothing?
Depends on how you look at this and how the negotiation goes. To a freelance consultant, if, for example, their asking rate is $55 an hour to an agent, an agent is going to ask you the employer for about $85 to $90 an hour. The independent may seek to earn $65 an hour going direct, but you as the employer are still looking at a much better deal than you’d see going indirect. So the contractor and the employer both win.
What about the staffing agency?
Staffing agencies that offer real value to employers in screening services, value placements, and search services will not be affected at all. And agencies doing full time placements aren’t affected either. Agencies that offer the contractor health benefits, etc, will still be in business. Consider that staffing agencies also take care of the billing and cashflow issues for the contractor too. If those things are important to the contractor, then they will continue to work through a placement agency. PDXICons is offering an alternative to those specialists who truly are independents, with a good value proposition, but who are just lousy at business development. PDXICons helps bring leads and consultants together.
You put consultant information on the website. Couldn’t I just contact them directly and skip PDXICons altogether?
Absolutely. And if the person you see is available, and is interested, and it all works out, that’s great! Part of the purpose of this network is bring available work to available workers. However, you might have try a dozen or more individuals to find a match. It’s much easier to let us post the position, and have available and interested folks contact you. You may also get a better rate with a little competitive interest.
How do I post a consulting requirement?
Simply email to admin@pdxicons.com with details of your requirements, location, and we’ll make sure the group gets the message. Include location, details of the skills required, project or work nature. If you want to include information about a rate you are prepared to offer, that’s optional. Someone from the member pool with suitable talents will be in touch with you in no time.
What about fixed price bids?
Independents do this a lot. Just be clear that you’ll entertain or specifically want a fixed price bid for a project, and we’ll post it just the same.