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“Interim professional,” you’ve probably heard of it, or maybe you know someone who is working on an interim basis. But what exactly does this term mean? And how does the term secondment compare to interim? In this article, we zoom in on these terms and provide practical tips for clients and for aspiring temps.
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Interim vs secondment
What is the difference between interim and secondment? Interim is derived from the Latin word ad interim, which literally means “in the meantime. Therefore, an interim position you fill is – you guessed it – temporary. Interim’s can be done on a ZZP (Self-employed Without Personnel) / freelance basis or on a secondment basis. An interim worker works for and with a client, but an intermediary (an agency) can broker the interim worker for the client. In that case, payments go through the agency and it also has the liability for the proper execution of the assignment.
A secondee is an interim worker who is employed by a (secondment) agency and does an assignment with the principal of the secondment agency. They are also called flex(worker) or temp (from “temporary”).
The heavier interim assignments are usually (but not always) performed by ZZPs/freelancers, while the somewhat lighter assignments are usually performed by secondees.
The advantage of an interim compared to someone in permanent employment is that an interim already has a lot of experience and has done the type of work before (some times). Hardly any familiarisation period is required, so he or she is quickly employable. This is called plug-and-play. This does carry a small risk … the interim may be so well liked that the client does not want to do without. So be careful not to become dependent on an interim as a company.
The ideal length of contract for a temporary professional
The duration of the contract depends on the (purchasing) assignment the interim performs. xentys recommends a contract length of at least 6 months to the client. Why? This is for two reasons. If you offer someone a three-month contract, we frequently see that the interim worker has left before these three months are up.
The interim worker is looking for security of income and therefore needs an assignment with a longer term. With today’s (overstrained) market forces, he or she will have a new position in no time. The second reason is that 3 months is too short to leave anything substantial behind.
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Application process
The job market is tense and it is hard to find the right candidate who is also available. That’s where xentys comes in. With nearly 13 years of experience, we know exactly how to find the right match. The procedure is short, often only a week and a half, so it is especially important to know what to look for and what questions to ask to ensure quality.
Okay, great story though… But then what are some of the things xentys pay attention to?
There must be a click with the organization where the interim will be employed. It is therefore important for xentys to understand the organization, what the content of the assignment will be, and what the requirements and wishes are for the interim.
Our business is to find people for procurement positions. In doing so, it is essential that candidates have social and communication skills and are flexible in their behavior. Just a good conversation is not enough. Careful checks are made that someone actually has the knowledge and experience needed to do the job.
Find a buyer through xentys
At xentys, your experienced procurement recruitment agency, we are happy to help you find the right professional for your procurement team. Send a message today and strengthen your purchasing department.
Rates/Fees
What is the salary range for and interim procurement professional? In conclusion, we give an indication about the rates by function. An interim is often more expensive than a permanent employee. This is because an interim worker is overqualified (as explained above), can start work immediately and risks being temporarily without an assignment. Thus, there is no need to invest energy and time in inducting and training the interim. Indicative hourly rates are:
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Tactical buyer € 90-100/hr and on secondment € 75-90/hr
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Strategic buyer € 95-110/hr and on secondment € 80-95/hr
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Management € 100k-125/h and on secondment € 90-100/h.
If you have any questions based on this blog, please contact:
maarten.smitsvanoyen@xentys.nl
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