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HotGigs has varied uses. Companies can use it to source and manage contract-based employees. The Staffing Exchange section is a network of hiring companies, staffing suppliers, and consultants. Consultants and contract professionals connect with staffing firms and companies who are looking for contractors to hire. More in-depth than a job board, HotGigs offers options specific to contract workers and those who hire them regularly.

Founded in 2003, HotGigs is located in Minneapolis. It is currently run by CEO Kenneth H. Holec and sees an approximate average of 50,000 unique visitors per month.

HotGigs is not a job board. The business model is a marketplace for companies to shop for consultants rather than independent contractors or consultants searching and bidding on jobs.

After activating the account via confirmation email, a user may begin building a profile. The interface is clumsy in title and skills choices as choices are very limited. There is no dropdown menu, but rather a list generated from letters typed into the appropriate box. This makes it unwieldy and frustrating to use.

During this review, a job search yielded no results, but a reminder stated that 90% of employers search for consultants rather than posting jobs. There are several resources for comparing rates across jobs and locations.

Users provide full name, email, password, zip code and primary interest to register. An activation link is provided via email.

Consultants can choose a Basic (free) membership or a Premium plan with fees of $99/six months, or monthly for $20/month. The Premium option offers access to more listings and does not limit selection. For staffing firms, the free membership allows a limited number of consultant resumes. The membership fee of $349 for Premium Membership places the firm’s profile online and allows unlimited promotion of consultant’s resumes, unlimited candidate submissions, and much more. Hiring companies do not have to pay fees.

This is a useful application for companies seeking consultants, staffing firms promoting consultants, and independent consultants seeking employment. The application serves a different function for each, but in all cases connects contract workers with employers. Anyone in these three settings can benefit from HotGigs.

• Services for consultants, staffing firms, and hiring companies
• Consultants can market skills to maximize rates and billable hours
• Staffing firms can extend client networks
• Hiring companies can fill contract positions
• Rate research tools
• Blogs for each type of user
• News updates for employment and resources

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