Temp-to-Hire Emerges As Today’s Career Launch Pad

There is no disputing that today’s employers are keen on temporary workers. New enthusiasm for this longstanding job segment has taken temp work, specifically Temp-to-Hire positions, from the fringes of the labor force and moved it front and center.  “More employers, for example, are laying down the mandate,” quotes a June article about the role of temporary jobs in the job market in the New York Post. “Job candidates must work temporary assignments before they will be considered for full-time jobs,” declares the piece.

Temp-to-Hire, unlike standard temp work, which usually ends when the work is completed (though temp jobs sometimes can lead to permanent hires) is an agreement between a staffing company and a hiring company that a field employee work as part of a trial period before being hired permanently. Once relegated to lower level positions, Temp-to-Hire has become the launch pad to permanent positions across industries and at every skill level. Job seekers can find Temp-to-Hire jobs in almost every field, from administrative and executive to general labor.  A requisite temp period before being hired, reports the Post, is not just for entry-level jobs. And the advantages of this “try before you buy” approach, as it is often referred to, can provide real advantages for employers and employees in a recovering economy.

Blazing a Trail to the Permanent Job

Ask someone you know how they landed their current job, and don’t be surprised of they say they found it through a Temp-to-Hire opportunity.  Temporary workers are hired full time 50% of the time according to some reports, and if the job is specifically Temp-to-Hire, chances escalate.

During a Temp-to-Hire trial period, both the employee and the employer determine whether the jobs is the “right fit” and they consider establishing an employment relationship. When the time frame ends, the company can hire the employee without further obligations to the staffing company. According to Bonney Staffing Center, in a Temp-to-Hire situation, a company's decision to hire a field employee can range from one day to several months or even longer. Bonney, an agency that fills Temporary, Temp-to-Hire, and Direct-Hire jobs throughout Northern New England, places Temp-to-Hire positions regularly, and has established relationships with local companies that have come to depend on them for good candidates who can round out their permanent staff.

There’s no question that Temp-to-Hire employees have an advantage when vying for a permanent position. They don’t just have a foot in the door, they are on the job day in and day out proving their worth. Temp-to-Hire employees also benefit by being able to get a feel for a company or a position before signing on permanently.  A job that seems perfect can often end up being a poor fit, and if that’s the case, employee and employer can part ways with no hard feelings. Temp-to-Hire jobs also have all of the advantages of temporary jobs, including the chance to build skills and fill work history voids, all while on the permanent job track.

Of course, Temp-to-Hire is work on contingency – there is no guarantee that a worker will be deemed fit for a company’s permanent position. Employees are encouraged to keep an open mind about the future opportunities – some may even find a permanent position in the interim (don’t forget to give proper notice if that occurs). If you are considering a Temp-to-Hire job, it can be helpful to ask your staffing specialist what the track record is for hires at the company you are considering.

In a Temp-to-Hire Job? Here’s How To Make It Permanent

Not all temp positions end in a hire, but if the job description states “Temp-to-Hire,” permanent employment is a possible outcome. If you love your new job, make sure the feeling is mutual. Here’s how to make the transition to permanent employee at the end of your temp tenure.

• Show your best self. Temp-to-Hire jobs are auditions for both employer and the employee, and employers want you to prove yourself. Be reliable, stay late or come in early if need be, and make your case for being a stellar employee. Your commitment is an investment in your future job, and if you’re giving it your all, employers will want you on their team.

• Don’t treat it like a temp job. Don’t adopt “it’s just temporary” attitude. Not investing in the long term is a sure fire reason for an employer to show you the door when the time comes. Find out what it takes to be a permanent employee, show your investment, and express interest in being hired permanently. Act like you are part of the company, and you might be. 

• Do something great. Temp-to-Hire jobs are great motivators for workers to make their mark. Even if you can’t change the world, take note of the value you’ve added during your term –processes you’ve made better, goals you’ve achieved, or relationships you’ve cultivated – it’s all ammunition for the permanent interview.

• Fit in. Don’t underestimate the importance of fitting in. The truth is, an employee with the best permanent prospects isn’t just a sales wiz or the first to pull in the parking lot in the morning – they’re somebody who fits in with the company culture. They get along with co-workers, they pay attention to dress codes and behavior, and they do their best to blend in before they stand out. 

Looking for Temp-to-Hire positions? Ask your local staffing specialist at Bonney about temp-to-hire jobs, or search current temporary jobs.

He Said / She Said: Temp Jobs Edition

Temp Job Trap? Career Success Springboard? He & She Throw Down

Temporary jobs have their own special claim on today’s job market. “Temp jobs” are short or long term hires and “temp-to-hire jobs” start as temporary jobs and lead to permanent positions; these jobs are sometimes offered from the hiring company but more often filled through staffing companies. Temp workers are 2.8 million strong in the U.S., making up the highest proportion of the workforce in history, a jump precipitated by the recent recession. 

Many workers, it seems, have embraced the temp life, turning to temporary jobs when full-time work proves hard to find or to fill an employment gap following a job loss. But is making a living from temp work a curse or a blessing? The irrepressible He and indubitable She take a closer look.

He: Ok, She – I’ve been in the work force enough to know not to fall into the “temp trap”. Temporary jobs are dead ends, plain and simple.

She: Hold on, He – time has left you behind on that one. Temporary jobs have a workforce foothold, growing 50% following the recent recession, and here in Maine and New Hampshire, your temp trap thinking doesn’t hold water. For example, taking a temp job in the area often means getting in on the ground floor with a great local (or national) company. You get a foot in the door, and when a company is ready to hire, guess who’s in a great position? 

And a dead end? I won’t take the bait. Smart employees work temp to learn more about a company or an industry before investing in training or committing to a new career path. If you’ve been laid off or need to switch careers, temp jobs can inspire you figure out what you want to do next, all while avoiding those problematic gaps in your resume while you seek a permanent position.

He: That’s all fine, but the fact is, pay for temp jobs is always poor – that’s how they get you.

She: Thanks for shining a light on that, He – the truth is, temping does not mean low-level pay and low level jobs. Just like in the “real” job market, employees take temporary jobs that are in line with their experience. Average pay depends on the industry, but it also depends on what you bring to the table. Plus, if you work an entry-level temp job, you can leverage your position to make a move upward – just the same as a permanent employee would. In fact, that's where joining a staffing company can really pay off. For example, BONNEY Staffing helps those without a lot of job experience by giving them a chance to be a S.W.A.T (Staff Who Arrive Today) member. S.W.A.T teams work day-to-day assignments and build up their work credibility in the process. 

He: One thing’s for sure: Temp workers are left out in the cold when it comes to benefits.

She: I get where you’re coming from on this one, He. In some industries employers have a reputation for using temp workers to avoid offering health insurance, retirement, or workers’ comp. But get this: If you join up with a reputable staffing company, you’re their employee, whether your job is short term or long term. They provide competitive benefits just like permanent jobs do – things like health insurance, 401Ks, holidays, direct deposit...

He: Well, I need a real job – a job that lasts a week? That’s a waste of time.

She: Sure, some assignments last a week or two, but that's a great way for full-time job seekers to explore different types of jobs and gain experience without the commitment. And, there are plenty of temp jobs that last several months or even more. Some well-regarded local businesses in this area are notorious for needing to ramp up seasonally, and those jobs can last for weeks or even months. Companies have temporary needs for workers on leave, or just have temporary projects that are long term. 

If you inquire with a staffing agency, they’ll be up front with you about their assignment lengths so there’s no surprises. For instance, BONNEY Staffing just posted over 20 production positions that are six-month, temporary assignments, could be temp-to-hire for the right candidates, and include overtime. Is that long enough for you?

He: Uh, maybe. But I’m still not convinced a temp job is for me.

She: Give it a chance. Look, temping is a great way to re-enter the work force after time off, and it fills those voids in your resume, and that makes you a more desirable employee. And most temp jobs will pad your skill set with things like sales skills, management skills, organizational skills, and other skills things employers look for. And who doesn’t want to earn money while you look for a permanent job? Maybe you should check out your local staffing company, He! 

He: Ok, She...loud and clear. Until next time.    

Do you have questions about temp jobs, temp-to-hire jobs, and permanent hire jobs? Want more information about the benefits of working with a staffing company? Just ask – contact your local BONNEY Staffing Center location.