Should You Accept a Temp-to-Hire Job? Benefits of Temp-to-Hire
If you're on the job hunt, you’ve probably come across the term "temp-to-hire." So what does temp-to-hire mean, and is it a good option for you? A temp-to-hire job is exactly what it sounds like: a temporary position with the potential to turn into full-time employment. There are many reasons to take a temp-to-hire job, even if it’s not your ideal long-term situation. Perhaps you want to get a foot in the door at a specific company, or you want to try out a job before committing to it. Or maybe you’re looking for an opportunity to learn new skills or gain experience in a field that you’re not quite qualified for yet. In this blog post, we'll explore the advantages of taking a temp-to-hire position and how these types of jobs can benefit your career.
What Is a Temp-to-Hire Job?
A temp-to-hire job is a position where the employer intends to hire the employee on permanently after a probationary period on the condition that the employee displays the skills and work ethic necessary to be successful in the role. The probationary period can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Employers will usually choose temp-to-hire when they have open positions to fill, but want to make sure the candidate is the right fit before offering them a full-time position. This hiring model allows both the employer and the temp worker to test the waters before making a long-term commitment, which reduces the risk of high turnover resulting from bad hiring decisions and improves employee retention by allowing potential employees to experience the job first-hand before accepting an offer.
In contrast, a temporary job opening fills a temporary need, so there usually are no permanent opportunities available, although employers will occasionally create openings for a particularly outstanding temporary employee.
Some job seekers confuse temp-to-hire positions with temporary jobs and reject them because they think they won’t have job stability or permanent opportunities. On the contrary, with a temp-to-hire job, the employer does have open positions to fill and is simply confirming candidates will be successful before they hire workers for permanent positions. You might think of it as a paid, full-time job audition or as an opportunity to show off your skills and display what makes you the right person for the job.
How Does Temp-to-Hire Work?
In most cases, temp-to-hire jobs are contracted through a staffing agency. This means that while the temp-to-hire employee is doing work for the staffing agency's client, the staffing agency is their legal employer for the duration of the temporary period. Temp workers are paid by the staffing agency, who handles all the responsibilities of the employer. The client pays a fee to the staffing agency to compensate them for their services, in addition to the employee's pay. The client company determines the pay rate for the position, and no fees are taken from the employee's paycheck.
Throughout the temporary period, the client will assess temporary workers' skills and work habits to determine if they would be a good fit for a permanent position. This period is typically about three to six months, based on the number of hours agreed upon by the client and the staffing agency. If the employee's performance is poor, they have attendance issues, the client decides they are not a good fit, or if the employee decides they are not interested in the position, the assignment ends. On the other hand, if the employee likes the position, works well with their core team, and has the skills to be effective in the role, they will usually be offered full-time employment once the temporary contract expires. This means they become a permanent employee of the client company and are added to their payroll and entitled to any benefits the company offers. An outstanding employee may receive an offer before they reach the end of the temporary period, while an employee who has shown potential, but has had issues with their work habits or job performance, may have the temporary period extended to give them an opportunity to improve.
Benefits of Temp-to-Hire Jobs
There are many potential benefits for a temp-to-hire employee. These include the following:
Get Your Foot in the Door as a Temporary Employee
In a competitive job market, it can be difficult to get your foot in the door with certain companies. In some cases, companies actually prefer to hire workers on a temporary basis to start. The hiring process is expensive, and hiring the wrong person is even more costly, so a temporary-to-hire contract period can be very beneficial to employers by allowing them to assess performance and make sure a candidate works well with their existing workforce before offering permanent employment.
Temp-to-hire can be especially helpful for those who are making a career change, returning to the workforce, or attempting to break into a new industry, as well as those who are just starting out in their career. If you lack the traditional resume experience employers are looking for, they may not give your application a second glance. Even if you have the skills for the job, you’ll likely struggle to compete with other applicants who look more qualified on paper. Fortunately, employers are often more willing to take a chance on someone with little experience if they are hiring them as part of a temporary or temp-to-hire arrangement. If you impress your employer during your temporary employment period, there's a good chance you'll be able to transition into a permanent role. And even if the job doesn’t work out, a temporary position in your desired field can give you the resume experience you need to qualify for other positions, including permanent ones.
Learn New Skills and Gain Experience
Whether you transition into a permanent role or not, taking temp-to-hire work can still be beneficial for your career. That's because it's an opportunity to learn new skills and gain hands-on experience that will make you more attractive to future employers. Not only will your skill set be more robust, but you'll also have real experience using those skills in a professional setting—and that's something any employer will value.
Try Out a Job Before Committing
Temp-to-hire jobs don’t just give the employer an opportunity to confirm you’re a good fit for their company. They also give you an opportunity to make sure the company is a good fit for you. You may have an idea of what you want to do, but you’re not quite sure if the employer is right for you or if you’re ready to commit to a particular career path. With a temp-to-hire job, you can get a feel for the day-to-day tasks you'll be responsible for, the company culture, and whether you see yourself in that role long-term. If it turns out the job isn't what you're looking for, you can easily move on to the next opportunity. In the meantime, you’ve gained valuable experience and professional connections. This trial period as a temporary worker enables you to make a more informed decision before taking your next career step.
Expand Your Professional Network
One of the best things about any new job is the opportunity to expand your professional network and make connections that can help your career long-term. These contacts can come in handy down the road when you're looking for references or advice on your next career move. You never know when one of your temp-to-hire coworkers might end up being a valuable mentor, reference, or the person who can get your resume directly in front of a hiring manager, so it's always worth putting in the effort to network while you're on the job.
Overcome Resume Issues and Poor Interview Skills
Resume gaps or multiple jobs in a short period of time are often red flags for employers. If your resume shows long periods of unemployment or gives an appearance of job-hopping, hiring managers may question your work ethic or skills and be hesitant to consider you for full-time hire. Because there is less risk in a temp-to-hire arrangement, employers are often more likely to overlook these types of issues, which means you have a chance to show your true skills instead of relying on your resume alone.
Temporary and temp-to-hire positions often have a less rigorous interview process, so they also provide a unique opportunity for those who struggle with interviews. Instead of explaining your skills in a formal job interview setting, you can let your performance speak for itself. Whether your resume is a poor reflection of your abilities or you find yourself freezing up in interviews, temp-to-hire opportunities can help you overcome these issues.
Get Insight into a Potential Career
If you're not sure if a career path is right for you, temporary employment and temp-to-hire jobs can give you some insight into what the day-to-day reality of that job is like. You'll also get to talk with people who are already working in the field and get their perspectives on what they wish they had known before starting out. This can be especially beneficial if you have the opportunity to talk with professionals who have been working in that field for years, since they can provide insights that you won't find in any textbook or online article.
Work with a Staffing Agency
Most of the time, a temp-to-hire program or temporary contract is through a staffing agency. Working with a reputable staffing agency is beneficial for both temp-to-hire candidates and permanent employees. Hiring managers trust recruiters to adequately screen temp workers, so if you’ve impressed your recruiter, you’ve already got someone putting in a good word for you. Staffing agencies can be an advocate to get your foot in the door with some of the best companies, while also providing insight into the job market and support throughout your job search. Staffing agencies have longstanding relationships with companies and know their needs, so they are often able to make make better recommendations for both the employer and the job seeker.
Cons of Temp-to-Hire
Of course, there are also some negative aspects to a temp-to-hire or temporary assignment. Although the company is looking to permanently hire employees, there is still no guarantee of a permanent employment arrangement at the end of the initial contract period. Not every temp-to-hire job results in becoming a full-time employee, and if the employer isn't satisfied with your performance, you have issues with attendance, or the position just isn't a good fit for you, you may find the temporary position ends and you are back on the job hunt. Factors outside of your control, such as budget changes or fluctuating staffing needs, may also delay your transition to a full-time team member or cause an assignment to end. Additionally, a temp worker or a temp-to-hire employee often doesn't receive employer-paid health insurance or other benefits of full-time employees.
For some, these factors may outweigh the potential benefits of these types of roles. On the other hand, there is always a possibility that a job will not work out, whether it's temporary or permanent, and the temporary period of the hiring process is often equivalent to the waiting period many companies have before their full-time employees are eligible for benefits. Whether the pros outweigh the cons of a temporary-to-hire job will depend on your career goals and current needs.
What Should You Consider Before Taking a Temp-to-Hire Job?
Before accepting a temp-to-hire job, consider if it’s the right step for you. First, make sure you understand the terms of your employment, including how long your contract will last and what will happen if you aren’t hired. Take time to assess your short- and long-term goals and determine how the position will help you reach them. Consider what you hope to accomplish and what skills and experience you want to gain. Ask yourself if this position will help further your career or enable you to get your foot in the door with a great company. If you decide to accept the position, keep your goals at the forefront of your mind so you can get the maximum benefits from your time there. Remember, this is an opportunity, and it's up to you to make the most of it.
Consider Temp-to-Hire Positions
Overall, there are many advantages to accepting a temp-to-hire job. It’s a great way to try out a new industry, get your foot in the door with desired companies, be considered for jobs that your resume doesn’t qualify you for, and learn new skills. Not only do you get to show your abilities and prove you’re an asset to the team, but you’ll also learn more about the company's culture and position requirements so you can decide if it’s somewhere you could see yourself working long-term. If you’re on the job hunt, don’t discount the benefits of a temp-to-hire position. You may find that it’s exactly what you need to take the next step in your career.
Article Author:
Ashley Meyer
Divisional Business Coordinator
Albany, NY