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GLOSSARY

Contingent
Workforce Glossary

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On-demand Talent Sourcing

On-demand talent sourcing refers to the practice of hiring specialised professionals or freelancers to fulfill short-term or project-based roles, rather than relying on permanent, full-time employees. It allows businesses to tap into a global pool of skilled workers who can be hired as and when needed, based on specific project requirements, timelines, and budgets.

On-demand talent sourcing basics

Before diving into the benefits, it’s essential to understand some of the key terms that are commonly associated with on-demand talent sourcing:

  • Freelancers: These are independent workers who provide services to multiple clients on a contract basis. Freelancers are typically skilled in areas such as writing, design, marketing, software development, and consulting.
  • Contract workers: Similar to freelancers, contract workers are hired for specific projects or time periods. The main difference is that contract workers may be engaged for longer-term assignments or specific roles within a company.
  • Gig Economy: The gig economy refers to a labour market made up of temporary, flexible jobs, where individuals work on a short-term basis for companies. On-demand talent sourcing is a key component of the gig economy.
  • Talent platforms: These are online platforms that connect businesses with freelancers, contractors, or on-demand talent. Examples include Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and Toptal.
  • Vendor Management Systems (VMS): A VMS is a software platform used by businesses to manage the entire process of sourcing, tracking, and managing freelancers, contractors, and other contingent workers.
  • Contingent workforce: This refers to workers who are not permanent employees but are engaged on a temporary basis to complete specific tasks or projects.
  • On-demand staffing solutions refer to a flexible and scalable workforce management approach that allows businesses to quickly access and hire skilled workers for short-term or project-based roles as needed, rather than maintaining a permanent, full-time workforce. These solutions are typically used to meet immediate talent needs, provide specialised skills, or fill gaps in a workforce without the long-term commitment of traditional hiring.

Advantages of on-demand talent sourcing

On-demand talent sourcing gives companies the flexibility to engage the right talent at the right time, without long-term commitments. This trend has gained significant momentum as businesses embrace the gig economy, digital transformation, and remote work environments.

Access to a global pool of talent

One of the most significant advantages of on-demand talent sourcing is the ability to access a vast global talent pool. This is particularly beneficial for companies that need specialised skills that may not be available locally. Whether you’re looking for a freelance web developer in New York, a graphic designer in London, or a data scientist in Singapore, on-demand talent sourcing allows businesses to find the right experts no matter where they are located.

By using online talent platforms, companies can quickly identify qualified professionals with specific expertise in their field, whether it’s content writing, digital marketing, or software development.

Flexibility to scale workforce as needed

In today’s competitive environment, flexibility is key. On-demand talent sourcing gives businesses the ability to scale their workforce up or down based on immediate needs. For example, if a company is launching a new product and needs additional support for a limited time, it can quickly hire freelancers or contract workers to help manage the workload.

This flexibility extends beyond simply scaling up when needed. Businesses can also bring in talent for very specific skill sets for a short duration, which is especially helpful when there’s a short-term project or skills gap in the existing team.

Cost efficiency

Traditional hiring processes involve numerous costs, including salaries, benefits, recruitment expenses, and training. On-demand talent sourcing, however, is often more cost-effective. Since businesses only pay for the work completed and typically don’t have to cover employee benefits, hiring freelancers or contractors for a short-term project can be a much more affordable option.

This cost efficiency makes on-demand talent sourcing an attractive option for businesses that need to manage budgets while still ensuring high-quality work.

Faster time-to-market

When businesses need to move quickly to stay ahead of the competition, time-to-market can be a critical factor. Traditional hiring processes can take weeks or even months to fill positions, especially for specialized roles. On-demand talent sourcing dramatically reduces this timeline by allowing businesses to quickly hire skilled professionals who are ready to hit the ground running.

This faster time-to-market can make all the difference when you’re working on a tight deadline or need to meet industry demands quickly.

Reduced risk

Another benefit of on-demand talent sourcing is the reduced risk for businesses. When hiring freelancers or contract workers, companies don’t have to commit to long-term employment contracts or extensive benefits packages. If the contractor doesn’t meet expectations or if the project ends early, businesses can simply discontinue the working relationship.

This level of flexibility reduces the risk of hiring mismatches and offers businesses an easy exit strategy if the relationship doesn’t work out.

Innovation and fresh perspectives

On-demand talent can bring a wealth of new ideas, strategies, and innovative approaches to the table. Since freelancers and contract workers often work with different clients in various industries, they can bring valuable insights and fresh perspectives to your projects. This is particularly useful when businesses need to solve complex challenges or come up with innovative solutions.

Access to talent acquisition technology

On-demand talent platforms often offer tools and systems that businesses may not have in-house, making the hiring process more efficient and effective. These platforms typically include advanced search algorithms, candidate matching systems, and automated screening tools that help companies quickly identify qualified candidates.

Businesses can also use data-driven insights provided by these platforms to track performance metrics, such as hiring speed, cost-per-hire, and employee retention rates. These technologies streamline recruitment, reduce manual effort, and allow businesses to tap into a global talent pool more efficiently, ensuring they find the right talent quickly and without extensive resources.

Supports your internal team

On-demand talent sourcing is an ideal solution for supplementing your internal team, especially during times of growth, high-demand periods, or specialised projects. Instead of hiring additional full-time staff, businesses can rely on freelancers or contractors to provide the necessary skills and support on a temporary basis.

This allows companies to maintain their core staff while scaling up or down as needed, without the long-term commitments or overhead costs associated with permanent employees. By bringing in external talent when needed, businesses can ensure they have the expertise to meet project deadlines or address gaps in internal capabilities. This also provides the flexibility to focus internal resources on core functions while the on-demand talent handles specific tasks.

Gain workforce insights

Partnering with on-demand talent providers gives businesses the opportunity to gain valuable workforce insights that can enhance their broader talent strategy. Many talent platforms offer analytics tools that provide data on market trends, talent availability, salary benchmarks, and industry-specific skills gaps. This information helps businesses make informed decisions about where to source talent, what compensation levels are competitive, and how to align their workforce needs with current market conditions.

How do I manage on-demand talent effectively?

Managing on-demand talent is different from managing traditional, full-time employees. On-demand workers are often hired for specific projects or tasks, and they may work remotely or on a flexible schedule. Effective management of these workers requires a structured approach to ensure that communication is clear, expectations are defined, and tasks are completed on time.

For companies leveraging on-demand talent, regular check-ins are essential to keep everyone aligned. Using project management tools like Trello, Asana, or Slack can be beneficial for tracking progress, meeting deadlines, and keeping tasks organised.

Moreover, it’s important to establish clear contracts that outline roles, responsibilities, timelines, payment terms, and confidentiality agreements to avoid misunderstandings. Setting clear expectations around deliverables, deadlines, and quality standards ensures that both parties are on the same page.

Regular feedback, both positive and constructive, should be provided to ensure the work meets your standards and to maintain engagement. Monitoring progress through these tools and providing timely feedback allows for early identification of issues and course corrections. And once the project is completed, reviewing the deliverables, confirming they meet the agreed-upon criteria, and providing feedback ensures a smooth closure and sets the stage for future collaborations.

Is on-demand talent sourcing right for your business?

Determining whether on-demand talent sourcing is the right approach for your business depends on a variety of factors, including your company’s size, project needs, budget, and growth objectives. This model offers significant flexibility, cost efficiency, and access to specialised skills, but it may not be the best fit for every business. Below, we’ll explore key considerations to help you assess whether on-demand talent sourcing aligns with your business needs.

  • If your business is experiencing rapid growth and you need to hire a large number of hires quickly, partnering with an on-demand talent provider can help you fill positions more efficiently by accessing a ready pool of qualified candidates.
  • When your internal team is struggling to keep up with recruitment demands, an on-demand talent provider can alleviate the workload by handling candidate sourcing, screening, and interviewing, allowing your team to focus on other responsibilities.
  • If you need expert advice on labour market trends, an on-demand talent partner can offer valuable insights into salary benchmarks, skills shortages, and hiring strategies, helping you make informed decisions.
  • When your hiring needs are seasonal or frequently change, an on-demand talent provider offers the flexibility to scale your workforce up or down to meet temporary demands without the long-term commitment of full-time hires.
  • If you need to backfill roles after unexpected turnover, on-demand talent providers can quickly supply qualified professionals to minimise disruption and keep operations running smoothly while you search for permanent replacements.
  • If you’re struggling to find candidates for niche or specialised roles, an on-demand partner can help by tapping into their network of professionals and finding talent that may be difficult to locate through traditional recruitment channels.
  • If you want to test the waters before committing to a full Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) solution, working with an on-demand talent provider allows you to outsource specific hiring tasks or projects, giving you the flexibility to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution without a long-term commitment.

How we can help?


Finding and hiring talent can be challenging, costly, and time-consuming. However, with CXC as your flexible staffing partner, this doesn’t have to be the case.

With more than 30 years of experience in the contingent workforce space, our team of experts is here to guide you every step of the recruitment process. Whether you need temporary staffing or remote workers, we have tailored workforce solutions that can fit your specific needs.

This way, you don’t have to worry about compliance and administrative burden, and you can focus on what matters most: growing your business.

CXC Global