Nonprofits often hire temps during peak periods for fundraising, event management, and the inevitable financial reconciliation that follows. Contract staffing is also used on a project-by-project basis to access talent that might not exist within the organization. If you use or are considering using short-term staff, here are 3 tips for success.
1. Be open about your culture.
What’s the pace in your office? Is it a collaborative environment with strong teams and active managers? Helping short-term staff understand the organization’s culture and processes enables them to manage their responsibilities more effectively.
2. Be specific about the work to be performed.
The best relationships happen when you provide absolute clarity about required skill sets and desired outcomes. When your expectations are clear, it’s easier for individuals to hit productivity and to quickly fit into the flow.
3. Onboard your temp staff well.
The best way to reduce a learning curve is to communicate—no matter how short or long the employment period. Tell your current employees that you are bringing in temporary help, and make certain that you have assigned a manager to oversee the work.
Temporary staffing is a go-to option when looking to fill skills gaps, handle unusually high workloads, close out fundraising events, or to manage between permanent hires. Reach out to agencies that specialize in nonprofit temp and short-term staffing to help you through.
Want to learn more? Contact PNP Staffing to discuss temp, direct hire and executive hiring decisions for your nonprofit.