Job outsourcing is a phrase that has been demonized a great deal in recent times. This is especially true of the media, politicians and unions. However, what many people do not realize is when some companies outsource, they are still utilizing labor from the U.S. labor pool. Outsourcing is not always a negative; in fact, more companies are turning to outsourcing and hiring freelancers. Here are some cases where job outsourcing provides solutions and not problems.
Virtual assistant
While not every company employs full time assistants to handle data entry work or to provide Web content, there are thousands of U.S. freelancers who are capable of providing this type of service on an "as needed" basis. For the company, this means they are not paying someone full-time when a part-time person would be sufficient, thereby saving money. For the freelancer, this means one additional job opportunity is available to them.
Online marketing specialist
Online marketing is a specialized field and there are some people who have excellent skills in this field. However, many of these people work as freelance consultants versus working directly for a single company. In these cases, outsourcing work to these consultants allows a company to grow,
potentially offer more "in-house" jobs and improve their bottom line. Without these freelance consultants, it is likely that a company would have to hire a more traditional marketing firm that could cost them thousands of dollars more.
potentially offer more "in-house" jobs and improve their bottom line. Without these freelance consultants, it is likely that a company would have to hire a more traditional marketing firm that could cost them thousands of dollars more.
Since it is nearly becoming imperative a company have an online presence, more companies than ever before require websites and content. In general, a company does not have to hire these providers full time since often the development of a site is a "one time" effort with ongoing updates that typically take only a couple of hours a month.
Companies today are very interested in making sure they are protecting their bottom line. This helps keep prices down for consumers and helps a company thrive. Being able to outsource the development of a website, the necessary content and even blog content on an ongoing basis helps save money while the company thrives in a competitive environment.
While many outsourced jobs are in the manufacturing sector which places undue burdens on companies and potential employees alike, not all outsourcing is bad. There is a good chance that if all US companies stopped outsourcing tomorrow that many who are currently self-employed would find themselves without work.
There are some important statistics about freelancing that include the number of freelancers in the United States. This number is significant, estimated at some 42 million people or more than 30 percent of the U.S. workforce. Without outsourcing, many of these freelancers would be out of work.
