Today, many companies are opting to hire new employees on a temporary-to-permanent basis instead of diving right in to direct hire. However, job seekers are hesitant to accept these positions because of negative connotations associated with temporary hiring.
If you are able to disregard the so-called, "stigma," associated with temporary work, you will see there are many benefits of temporary-to-permanent employment, which include:
Test Drive: Temp-to-perm employment allows you up to 12 weeks to experience everything the job has to offer. Perhaps the position is exactly what you are looking for, but maybe your micromanaging supervisor is too much to handle. In either case, it's a win-win situation. If you don't like the position, you can end the assignment and search for other opportunities. If you love it and work hard, there may be a job offer at the end.
Expand Your Knowledge: A temp-to-perm position is a great opportunity to learn another line of business, acquire a new set of skills or absorb information that could be useful in the future. Many companies also offer training programs for their temp-to-perm employees. In these instances, if an offer is extended, you will have all the tools to succeed on the job. If an offer is not extended, you will have added to your skill set and increased your wealth of knowledge, escalating your market value as a job seeker.
Potential Pay Increase: If you work hard and collaborate well with staff, it's possible you will be extended a permanent offer. Not only will you now receive company benefits, but you will also earn a pay increase. The amount will vary depending on the company and position.
Other benefits of temporary-to-permanent employment that stress the "temporary" side include:
Boost Your Resume Experience: If you have minimal work experience, a temp-to-perm position is perfect for beefing up your resume. Although the position may not be your ideal career, you can include newly acquired skills on your resume that may help you snag your dream job.
Pursue a Variety of Careers: If you are uncertain of your career path, a temp-to-perm position allows you to dapple in a variety of fields in order to find the perfect fit.
Earn Money: If you are unemployed and job searching, a temp-to-perm position allows you to earn money while continuing your job search on the weekends.
Tom Gimbel is the Founder and CEO of LaSalle Network, a $33 million staffing and recruiting firm based in Chicago. Founded in 1998, LaSalle has served thousands of clients and candidates, placing job seekers in temporary, temporary-to-permanent and permanent positions.
