Contract-to-hire positions have become increasingly attractive for employers, and more and more industries and organizations have adopted this model. But what are these positions exactly? And what possible advantages do they offer to job seekers?
What is Contract-to-Hire?
Think of Contract-to-hire as the “best of both worlds” for both full-time positions and short-term contract work. Contract-to-hire is a short-term position with the opportunity to become a full-time position at the end of the contract. The specific time will depend on the job and organization, but typically, it’s around a few months to a year.
A full-time position will rarely, if ever, be guaranteed at the end of the contract. Still, it signals to employees that employers are looking to fill this position – and that if you’ve already established yourself as a good fit in the company, you will likely be considered first for filling this position.
➔ Read Now: What’s the Difference Between Contract and Full-time Employees?
Advantages of Contract-to-Hire for Job Seekers
Contract-to-hire positions, over some other types of employment, offer some unique benefits beyond mere job security:
1. “Test drive” a company
In many ways, contract-to-hire is like an extended interview and training period. It’s a much more in-depth way of testing your compatibility. Like taking a car for a test drive before making a purchase, contract-to-hire is a fantastic opportunity to explore the value and fit of a particular role. Because you’re not committed to the role as a contractor, you can simply decline a job offer at the end of the contract if you want to move on.
2. Expand your professional network
Those in contract-to-hire positions often work alongside full-time employees and with customers. This environment creates a sizeable professional network you can tap into. Those connections may land you a different job within the company at the end of the contract or an offer from a client or connected company. Even if the position doesn’t lead to full-time employment, you can still use the company as a positive reference on your resume, which can help you secure another job.
3. Explore your passions
Contract-to-hire positions are available in a vast range of industries, which makes it a lot easier for you to truly test a variety of positions. You can use the opportunity to determine if a role suits you.
Make Your Job Search More Efficient with a Recruiter
Want more job-searching tips? Working with an experienced engineering recruiter like Strom Minnesota can help you prepare for any job interview and take the hard work out of finding positions. Don’t waste your time scouring the internet for job postings or applying with multiple employers. Strom Minnesota takes all the hard work out of the job search so you can find a new position faster.
Strom Minnesota is an engineering and technical recruitment agency that specializes in high-skilled job candidates for highly technical positions. We facilitate contract employment, project staffing, temp-to-perm and direct hire opportunities. Industries served include IT, engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing. We are affiliated with Strom Engineering, a national staffing and recruitment agency.
