Interim vs. Permanent: How to Identify the Most Effective Talent Strategy

In today’s dynamic employment landscape, flexibility is vital for employees and organizations. When it comes to filling gaps in human resources leadership and staff, finding the right fit is equally crucial for long-term success.

There are various approaches around how to best fill your staffing need. Organizations may consider two different talent strategies – interim staffing or permanent employment – to fill temporary or long-term HR needs. But how do leaders determine which strategy is right for their organization?

Interim Staffing vs. Permanent Hire

Interim HR employees are temporary HR professionals hired to fill specific roles in an organization for a defined period. Leaders typically hire interim employees during temporary surges in HR-related tasks such as recruitment cycles, leadership transitions or special HR projects. Interim HR professionals have the specific skills and expertise to address immediate HR needs, and their engagement typically lasts from a few weeks to several months.

Permanent HR employees are just that – individuals with HR expertise who become long-term team members. The employees are committed to developing and managing staff, upholding company policy, and ensuring the continued well-being of all people working for the organization.

Choosing between Interim and Permanent HR Employee

When deciding whether to hire interim or permanent HR employees, leaders can ask themselves and their teams the following questions:

1. Is the workload temporary or ongoing?
2. Do we need specialized skills or expertise for a short-term project?
3. Is the budget limited or uncertain?
4. Can the workload be managed effectively by existing staff without compromising productivity?
5. Are there any leadership or organizational transitions occurring that require immediate attention?

Consider the following when determining whether interim or permanent HR strategies are best for your organization.

Advantages of Interim HR Staffing

Interim talent is beneficial when HR needs are specific and temporary. Interim HR employees offer:

• Flexibility – Employing interim HR staff enables an organization to scale its workforce based on fluctuating demands, allowing it to adapt quickly to changing conditions and providing time to plan for longer-term workforce decisions.
• Specialized skills – Interim professionals bring specialized HR experience, enabling them to contribute immediately and effectively.
• Cost-effectiveness – Hiring interim employees can help organizations avoid long-term commitments and benefit and training costs.

Advantages of Permanent HR Hires

When seeking a talent management leader, human resources director or CHRO, some organizations prefer to hire for permanent positions because they offer:

• Commitment and credibility – Hiring permanent employees signals a commitment to building a stable team that can grow together, fostering trust and building credibility among clients, partners, and stakeholders.
• Company culture and engagement – Permanent employees have time to assimilate into the company culture, values, and goals. This integration fosters collaboration, creates a more cohesive and productive work environment and boosts motivation, employee engagement and morale.
• Skill development and loyalty – Permanent employees have the opportunity to develop their skills and expertise, becoming valuable assets dedicated to the company’s success.
• Lower recruiting and onboarding costs – While the initial costs of hiring and onboarding permanent employees may be higher than for interim employees, it can prove more cost-effective in the long run, as the organization saves on frequent recruitment and training expenses.
• Knowledge transfer and continuity – Permanent employees develop a deep understanding of the company’s processes, systems and history, ensuring stability even in times of change.
• Strategic workforce planning – Hiring permanent employees allows the organization to align its talent pool with long-term business objectives and ensure it has the right skills to meet future challenges.

Engaging an HR Search & Interim Firm Is Key

Whether for interim or permanent, a professional search firm with expertise in executive search and interim staffing for human resources roles is a smart choice. Look for an HR Search & Interim firm that can provide:

1. A strong network of candidates – Good HR firms have a bench of qualified interim talent ready to join an organization. They also have long-term relationships in the HR industry with greater access to suitable candidates.
2. Expertise in matching talent to roles – Having a provable track record for understanding the right fit between candidates and organizations is paramount, whether the firm is placing an interim or permanent role.
3. Time and cost savings – Professional HR search firms relieve internal HR departments from the time-consuming work of executive search. Reputable firms can identify and place interim HR talent in as little as 1-2 weeks.
4. Risk mitigation – Search and Interim firms that are true experts in HR understand compliance needs and how to align workforce strategies with the organization’s and candidate’s best interests.

Future of Interim vs. Permanent HR Employment

Interim staffing has become increasingly popular as organizations face rapidly evolving markets, technological advancements and shifting consumer demands. Especially in uncertain economic times, interim staffing allows organizations to manage workforce needs without long-term financial commitments.

As industries continue to evolve, organizations will continue to seek agile, adaptable workforces. However, the balance between permanent and interim employees may vary depending on market conditions and organizational strategies.

Deciding whether to hire interim or permanent HR employees requires a thoughtful analysis of an organization’s current HR needs and long-term objectives. Engaging an expert HR firm can help organizations navigate the process, ensuring access to the right HR professionals who can drive success and deliver results.

Contact hrQ Inc. to learn about our National HR Search services for identifying permanent HR executives or our Interim HR Services for filling temporary HR needs.