WHAT IS A CONTRACT-TO-HIRE?
Contract-to-hire is a position that is offered as a short-term role but has the opportunity to turn into a permanent, full-time job when the contract ends. Also known as “temp-to-hire,” contract-to-hire positions typically last from six months up to one year, though some contract-to-hire jobs may last longer.
Today, contract-to-hire positions are becoming more and more prevalent. Common industries that use contract-to-hire workers are within the Construction and Manufacturing industries.
WHY IS CONTRACT-TO-HIRE A GREAT IDEA?
Contract-to-hire positions can actually help you advance careers, allowing the candidate and employer alike realize that both skill and corporate culture fit the role. This also gives both the candidate and employer flexibility before committing to a permanent role at the company.
A business may hire contract-to-hire candidates when they don’t have the capability to hire full-time employees but need help to grow a small business that’s just starting out or restructuring a business for greater efficiency. Businesses may also use contract-to-hire positions to ensure they have the right person in the right role.
Benefits For the Employer
Budget Flexibility:
Budgets are often a factor and can play a key role in hiring contract-to-hire positions. Before bringing on a candidate for full-time work and paying them a salary and benefits, employers may want to make sure that they have the workload for a given position secured. Employers may contract-to-hire with the intentions of bringing the candidate on but may release them within the contact timeframe to avoid paying unemployment, employee benefits, etc.
Evaluate a Candidate's Skills:
A contract-to-hire position is similar to an extended job interview, except the employee has the advantage of getting paid during this period of time. Employers want to be sure that the candidate can deliver on what they claim during the interview. A bad hiring decision can be an expensive mistake for a company, and a contract-for-hire position allows the company to make sure that the candidate really does know how to do the job well, before they make a long-term commitment.
Assess a Candidate's Fit:
Contract-to-hire positions are not just about making sure a candidate has the skillset. A contract-to-hire position also lets employers determine if the candidate is a good fit for the company culture. Will they get along with the team, does the
Today, job seekers find many benefits of choosing to contract-to-hire in order to help advance their career.
Benefits For the Candidate
Grow Professionally:
Choosing to contract-to-hire within a particular company may allow the candidate the freedom to grow professionally; sometimes providing advancements, such as team leader or manager within a company. It may also allow the candidate to learn or experience new skillsets they always wanted to improve on or get involved with. Meanwhile, meeting new industry professionals along the way.
Assess a Company’s Fit:
Most people don’t want to find themselves surrounded by the wrong company culture. This isn’t typically recognized until it is sometimes too late and likely weeks or months into the position. Similar in the way that a contract-to-hire position allows employers to make sure that the person they want to hire fits in well, candidates can use the position’s short-term nature to do the same. You may accept a contract-to-hire position without worrying about making a longer commitment to a job you don’t know if you’ll actually want or like.
Continuous Work:
Knowing work may be slowing down, a contract-to-hire position can help keep your career moving. Even if the role doesn’t end in a permanent position, working continuously favors job seekers in landing other work opportunities. Workers can show that they stayed professionally active and kept up their essential skills by taking on short-term jobs.