5 Staffing Marketplaces for On-Demand Vendors

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The on-demand economy relies on a steady stream of self-employed workers who are willing to trade steady paychecks for flexibility and autonomy. But as the number of on-demand platforms—specializing in everything from house cleaning and pet sitting, to liquor delivery and hair styling—increases, it’s becoming more of a challenge for companies to capture and hold on to qualified workers.

The number of on-demand workers is expected to reach 7.6 million by 2020. But high churn rates mean that on-demand platforms have to look beyond inbound recruiting channels to source enough skilled professionals to keep their platforms afloat. Only 29% of independent contractors expect to still be working as contractors in three years, according to a recent survey.

To keep on-demand marketplaces staffed with enough contract workers to meet customer demands, a number of staffing marketplaces have stepped in. Here are five examples of digital staffing marketplaces that on-demand companies can try.

1. Crowded: Matching vendors with independent workers
Crowded recruits independent workers at scale and aggregates gigs from hundreds of on-demand platforms. The result is an expansive marketplace that vendors can use to efficiently recruit qualified professionals who are interested in participating in the gig economy. Crowded supports both on-demand workers and on-demand companies. The marketplace currently has more than 11,000 workers, and it works with more than 400 platform partners, including DoorDash, Washio, Uber, and Shyp. Crowd charges referral fees to on-demand platforms for each worker they recruit through the platform.

2. Shiftgig: Finding qualified professionals at a moment’s notice
On-demand vendors can use Shiftgig to find locally available, qualified workers at a moment’s notice. Shiftgig specializes in finding work for people who have experiencing in serving, bartending, housekeeping, retail sales, and customer service. Workers on the Shiftgig marketplace are vetted, and most are looking for just a few shifts to fill income gaps. Shiftgig is especially popular among businesses with seasonal spikes that create increased labor needs. Shiftgig clients pay per shift worked, with prices based on the number of hours in the shift and the type of position. Pricing also varies based on location.

3. Moonlighting: Connecting 1099 workers with short-term jobs
Moonlighting is a nationwide mobile marketplace for 1099 workers. People who are interested in short-term gigs can use Moonlighting to find jobs that run the gamut from pet sitting and landscaping, all the way to personal training and resume writing. The marketplace has been integrated into The McClatchy Company’s print and digital properties in 14 states. On-demand firms can post jobs and share them via social networks. They can also complete hiring transactions securely using Moonlighting’s proprietary mobile payment platform. Moonlighting charges transaction fees to companies that send payments through the platform.

4. HigherMe: Sourcing hourly workers
HigherMe helps on-demand companies, retailers, and restaurants find, screen, and hire hourly workers. Understanding that lengthy applicant screening tests are often a waste of time in the project-based economy, HigherMe is using technology to find the best workers for available gigs. It creates “fit scores” for potential workers based on their locations, hours of availability, and work experience. (Applicants can also record 30-second videos to give potential employers a better idea about who they are.) HigherMe has worked with on-demand companies like Zoomer and Magic.

5. Work Market: Find and manage independent contractors
Work Market offers a way for companies to find, manage, and pay local independent contractors. Businesses of all sizes can search Work Market’s marketplace for freelance professionals who meet their requirements and then build custom, on-demand talent pools based on location, certifications, and desired skills. Businesses can also use Work Market’s “freelance management system” to verify worker credentials, manage assignments, and handle payments. Work Market handles background tests and compliance checks. Multiple pricing models are available depending on the size of a company and its staffing needs.

Know of other staffing marketplaces that on-demand vendors can try? Leave a description in the comments.

Stephanie Miles is a senior editor at Street Fight.

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Stephanie Miles is a journalist who covers personal finance, technology, and real estate. As Street Fight’s senior editor, she is particularly interested in how local merchants and national brands are utilizing hyperlocal technology to reach consumers. She has written for FHM, the Daily News, Working World, Gawker, Cityfile, and Recessionwire.