- Oliver Jessup
Key Attributes of Successful Interim Contractors

At Newstone Talent Solutions, we have been active on the UK interim management
market since our inception bringing with us years of previous experience across this
discipline.
Here are some noticeable observations and themes that we have identified when it
comes to making an interim assignment a successful one.
1. Formulating a role description focused on the key deliverables
It is our responsibility to understand the exact needs of the hiring manager and to
subsequently devise a transparent yet comprehensive statement of work for the interim
contractor. More often than not because interim contractors are overqualified for the
assignment, key objectives can be delivered quickly.
2. Building confidence via quick gains
The overall success of an assignment can sometimes depend on how quickly the
interim contractor can win the trust and confidence of fellow employees and key
stakeholders. With abundant expertise from similar scenarios, interim contractors are
very adept at hitting the ground running and achieving the quick wins necessary in order
to build a robust platform geared towards the success of the overall assignment. During
this initial period, the interim contractor will be able to establish the capabilities of those
within the team and their eagerness to make change happen.
3. Communicating with stakeholders
Establishing and maintaining a clear line of communication with key stakeholders during
an assignment is vital. One way of achieving this is to implement a steering committee
in order to regularly reevaluate objectives and make strategic alterations where
required.
4. Establishing the informal hierarchy of a business
Every organisation contains individuals capable of influencing decision makers
irrespective of their formal level within the business. A successful interim contractor is
capable of identifying such people quickly and ensuring that they become valued
members of the team thereby creating an advantageous, informal structure.
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5. Laser focus on the deliverables
Once the organisation’s trust has been won over by the interim contractor fellow
business members are likely to ask questions of the specialist that stray away from the
key deliverables of the assignment. There is a risk that lines can be blurred and time
lost as a result but a successful contractor is capable of striking the right balance
between offering advice whilst maintaining a laser like focus on the true deliverables.
6. Impact and continuity
Interim assignments are by their very nature temporary. That said, the successful
interim contractor ensures that the change programmes that are initiated continue after
their departure. It is critical to involve key stakeholders along the journey and to provide
mentoring and coaching to potential successors within the business who can pick up the
baton once the contractor leaves.
7. Ending the contract at the right time
Contractual extensions are only beneficial if circumstances change or should additional
projects become available. If the prevailing reason behind an extension is the desire of
the interim contractor to extend in the absence of tangible deliverables then this can
have a negative impact and potentially sour future relationships between the contractor
and the hiring manager.
How to Improve Your Hiring Process in 7 Steps Interim contracting is not an exact science due to the many human elements that exist
within an organisation. However, experience tells us that these 7 themes can have an
important impact on the success of an interim assignment.
Should you need advice or assistance in hiring an interim contractor, please send us a
message or email info@newstonetalent.com