Analytics & Search Contracting Market

It seems like there should be a more perfect instrument for bridging the gap between contractors and opportunities around the country. As I have said before in this blog, the fastest growing piece of our business (placement of analytics and search marketing professionals) is the consulting / contracting market.As the industries mature, more professionals are reaching the point in their careers where they can support themselves and thrive as independent contractors. The lifestyle is compelling for haters of corporate politics and those who value compensation and quality of life more than climbing the corporate ladder.As most of the financial and some of the marketing worlds are in decline, online advertising spend and share continue to climb (albeit at a slower pace than in the boom years). The call to measure twice before buying once is being sounded in marketing departments everywhere. This is continuing to drive demand for these skills.When you need the skills but your company is on an "unoffical temporary hiring freeze" you look for contractors. This is creating a perfect storm of activity in the space right now where there is both supply and demand.But it is not a perfect market... consulting requirements are increasingly specific and narrow in scope and the talent pool is very spread-out geographically.For now, we spend much of our days talking with folks on both sides and trying to make the best matches possible. Until someone comes to market with a better solution...any ideas??