inHouse Interview – Part II

Kristi Hennessey, CPC CSP Director of Deacon Professional Services, talks about working as a consultant.

IHI – Tell us a bit about your industry experience.

KH – I’ve been in the recruiting industry for over 15 years. I’ve worked with both candidates and clients in IT, Engineering, Accounting and Finance, and now Sales, Marketing, and Administration.

IHI – What are ‘professional services’ as they relate to our business?

KH – Professional services are solutions for project based operations as well as contract and temporary employee needs.

IHI – Why do companies use professional services firms?

KH – Professional services provide talent solutions to companies while they are looking for permanent talent or for the length of time that they need additional support. It is THE solution to keep work flow moving. It is a short term solution for a long term challenge.

IHI – How do the services impact a company’s bottom line?

KH – When you add a new employee, you add overhead. When you utilize a professional services firm, it is a business expense instead. Professional services prescreens candidates, checks references, conducts background verification, and processes payroll for the consultant including tax and benefit obligations. We remove the Human Resources function, leaving you to run and grow your business.

IHI – What do you look for in a consultant?

KH – Expertise in their field, a flexible schedule, and the ability to jump in and get the job done.

IHI – Why does one choose to work as a consultant?

KH – For many, it gives the power to choose the assignment and for whom to work, work when available and for a specific length of time. It makes creating work/life balance an achievable goal.