The Difference Between Direct-Hire And Temp-To-Hire Jobs

What Is A Temp-To-Hire Placement? 

Unlike temporary contracts, temp-to-hire positions are marketed as opportunities for full-time work. They are essentially lengthy trial periods in which both the employee and the employer can gauge each other. 

A temp-to-hire solution is especially advantageous when: 

• Your project requires expertise that your current staff does not possess: A temp-to-hire worker can be an excellent stopgap measure to help you get a difficult job done. You can then decide whether their skillset is worth keeping in the long run after project completion.
• A member of your team is taking an extended leave: Your project can grind to a halt if an important staff member becomes unavailable. Hire a provisionary worker to pick up the slack until your permanent employee returns. 
• You need people to work on your project as soon as possible: Agreeing on a temp-to-hire contract is usually quicker than negotiating a permanent position. Shorter onboarding process means that temp-to-hire workers are perfect for tackling projects with tight deadlines. 
• You want to learn more about your employees before hiring them permanently: Perhaps your company culture involves a rigorous tryout process for all incoming employees. In that case, a temp-to-hire contract is your best friend. 

Temp-to-hire is not entirely one-sided either. Reasons for candidates to seek out a provisionary contract include:

• Evaluating company fit: Candidates wary of committing to a company without working for them first are a great fit for temp-to-hire placements. Leaving a permanent position prematurely can be a bad look for the candidate; this is not a concern for temp-to-hire placements. 
• Diversifying their work experience: Working on a multitude of projects can have a positive effect on a candidate’s portfolio. Ambitious workers may specifically seek temporary positions to broaden their skillset and showcase their versatility. 
   

What Is A Direct-Hire Placement? 

The traditional hiring method, direct-hire placement involves having the staffing agency source a full-time employee. A direct hire is the best choice when the company needs a position filled permanently. 

Direct-hire placements can be attractive to your company for the following reasons:

• A larger candidate pool: Some of the best employees have no problem finding and retaining permanent work. They may not settle for anything less than a permanent position. A willingness to offer long-term employment can attract candidates who have not considered your company. 
• Better integration: Permanent employees are incentivized to gel with your company. Galvanized by the opportunity to grow with you, they are more likely to go the extra mile.
• Potential costs saving: The costs of constantly hiring temp-to-hire workers can add up quickly. While you may have to pay more upfront to enlist a permanent worker, retaining them in the long-term can be cheaper than finding replacements every few months.  
   

Choosing Between Temp-To-Hire And Direct-Hire 

The choice between a temp-to-hire worker and a permanent employee can be tricky. Both staffing solutions have their uses. The better choice at a given time is contingent on your understanding of your project and the trajectory of your company. 

The rule of thumb is that temp-to-hire is a more efficient scenario to fill roles quickly or for projects with well-defined start and end dates. Conversely, direct hires are generally more cost-effective if you are certain you will need their talent and skill set for the long term.  

Wide Effect has a proven track record hiring outstanding talent through both staffing solutions. In fact, more than 95% of the temp-to-hire workers we have endorsed have been offered a permanent position by the company that has signed them. Call (262) 298-0026 or fill out the online contact form to see how we can help you build a winning team. 
 

FAQs

Which sectors do Wide Effect specialize in? 
Wide Effect specializes in staffing temp-to-hire and direct-hire placements in the Construction, Maritime, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, and Safety Personnel sectors. 

What is the difference between a temporary and a temp-to-hire contract?  
A temporary position comes with a mutual understanding that the employment is terminated upon the completion of the contract. A temp-to-hire position implies the possibility for contract renewal or permanent employment upon completion of the contract. 

I am a job seeker. Where can I find open positions that I can apply for?
You can visit our current job postings here.