Looking for greater choice in the contract options available to you?

Having history and rapport with a specialist recruiter like Fraser Clapcott will open doors to opportunities you may have missed for yourself, that add value for both contractor and employer.

In the current climate of uncertainty, a willingness and propensity for flexibility comes with the territory of any contract role. Many businesses are responding to unforeseen changes in workload at a moment’s notice, and under pressure of tight turn-arounds to find the right person to deliver urgent projects their reputation hinges on. At the same time, the shifting sands of job security as inflation soars and global unrest grows, points to the need for fast placements that won’t compromise outcomes for the contractor or corporation.

“There’s a reason Salt & Shein enjoy long-standing relationships with so many of our corporate and contractor clients,” says Associate Director Fraser Clapcott. “We consider the human factor critical when pairing a professional with the business culture and flow of an organisation. It’s about more than just credentials. We invest in gaining an intimate understanding of what’s going on for a business that underlies their need for a contractor, and getting to know what drives each of our contractors.”

From that essential insight, the team is always looking for ways an opportunity can bring something more than just a quick fix, to both parties. In this way, our specialist recruiters are well positioned to weigh up the long-range business plan of a corporate client, with the career aspirations of the various contractors we represent, and lead both to just the right fit.

“We’ve built a diverse base of outstanding corporate affairs, marketing and communication professionals who appreciate that we represent them well, and keep the connection going with us because their career horizons keep expanding through the connections we make together,” Fraser says. “We keep them up to speed on the latest industry trends and expectations, including advising them on realistic rates, which helps them to keep what they offer relevant.”

From a contractor’s perspective, Fraser has been the interim recruiter of choice for Steve Townshend for almost 12 years, because Steve says the range of options available to him has continued to expand, despite market volatility, as he has gone with insights Fraser has shared over the years.

“I have a great deal of respect for the way the Salt & Shein team approach placements,” Steve says. “With other recruiters, I felt I was just a CV in the mix for them to fill their quota. Fraser is so attuned to what I ultimately want out of my contract choices, and so knowledgeable and well connected, that he continually opens doors to new opportunities I may have overlooked for myself.”

A seasoned contractor in corporate communication and change, Steve’s tip for placement success is to drop any rigid thinking and avoid restricting your search to one specific role. “There’s much to be gained by tapping into Fraser’s experience and networks. You don’t know where it might take you in your career. I’ve upskilled on the job and developed incredibly well-rounded capabilities by staying open-minded enough to take onboard the potential Fraser sees in unexpected opportunities he has sent my way.”

Who stands to benefit?

The organisation seeking a higher quality of candidate, or specific skills set at short notice,

the established contractor in pursuit of challenging briefs or a constant stream of contract referrals, the job seeker who aspires to more from their career, and the retiree who’s not quite ready to completely leave behind meaningful work, all stand to benefit from the targeted and highly personalised approach of a specialist interim recruitment team.

“Positioning someone as a high quality candidate comes down to encouraging them in their unique attributes and a direction of continued growth, which may mean opening their thinking around

roles they see themselves as a fit for.” Fraser says.

For Steve, “Making a difference through change management really appeals to me and I’ve always worked very comfortably and successfully in that space for major corporations. Retail wasn’t even on my radar when Fraser made a great case for me to venture out of my box with this current contract, and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve grown professionally with every appointment they’ve put me forward for.”

Every hour counts for a contractor and time is an equally precious commodity for employers.

“It’s assuring for me to feel that when Fraser puts a contract to me, there’s a very good chance I’ll get it,” Steve says. “In my experience, that’s rarely the case with bigger agencies. Salt & Shein don’t waste anyone’s time in the recruitment process and the results speak for themselves.”

Fraser’s personal approach, industry expertise and first-hand history with the many corporations represented equates to longer lasting matches. “It matters to us that the companies we work with view us as a specialised extension of their HR team and trust that if we put a contractor forward, we’ve selected the ideal fit for their big picture needs, from a pool of top calibre, proven talent we’ve taken the time to thoroughly get to know. That frees them to focus on keeping their customers happy and their business thriving.”