A Candidate’s Guide to Contract-to-Hire Work
What is contract-to-hire (C2H) work, and how might it benefit you as a candidate? In this post, we’ll go over important things to know, the benefits of C2H, and debunk some common misconceptions. We’ll pay special attention to concerns sparked by COVID-19 as well.
What Is Contract-to-Hire
Contract-to-hire falls between two employment models: temporary and direct hire. Temporary positions end after a fixed period. Direct-hiring results in a full time job with that company. C2H meets in the middle, providing the opportunity to convert a temporary position into a full-time role.
The C2H processes usually goes like this:
The employer offers the candidate an initial contract. The contract will have a fixed duration (3, 6, or 12 months)
The candidate works for an hourly rate during the contract duration. As an hourly candidate, you will be classified as a W2 worker, offering stability in your income.
The hiring manager and candidate will decide at the end of the contract term if this will turn into a full time position
C2H is particularly common in industries like:
Accounting
Administration
Information Technology
Marketing
Sales
C2H and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Contract-to-hire work has become a popular choice for companies during this pandemic for many reasons. Contract-to-hire work offers companies the flexibility to:
Control costs
Accomplish specific projects
Build their ideal team
The job market is changing with C2H becoming more popular.
As a candidate, C2H will also provide you benefits that will provide stability and flexibility during these unpredictable times. We will discuss candidate benefits in the next section.
Candidate Benefits of C2H
Contract-to-hire work provides candidates with great opportunities that provide flexibility, independence, and build confidence. C2H will also help get your career of the ground despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes it has brought to the job market. Top candidate benefits include:
An expedited interview Process
In today’s world, this is a great benefit. For C2H opportunities, you are interviewing for a specific role that needs filled now. Therefore, the company hiring you will want to onboard you quickly. Once you get an interview, you will be hired into the job before you know it!
2. Achieving Your Goals
With C2H opportunities, you will gain knowledge and job training through invaluable hands-on experience. The variety of jobs and expertise will increase your resume marketability. This will make you a more competitive candidate. In each new job, your Hard and Soft skills will grow, allowing you to be a chameleon in the job market. This will open doors for you in today’s changing job market.
3. Flexibility
You have control in choosing your lifestyle. You get to choose from a variety of jobs and work environments, overall determining what is right for you. Through C2H opportunities, you are curating your perfect career path. C2H also offers candidates the assurance of work/life balance. Being a contract employee means you are an hourly employee, held to a strict 40hr work week. You are not obligated to work the sometimes unpredictable hours of a salaried employee.
4.Networking
With each new C2H job, you will meet a new set of key personnel who can help you in the future. Take advantage of cultivating these relationships to grow your professional network.
5. Evaluating Your Potential
Just as your hiring managers are evaluating you, you are evaluating them. Determine what work environment works best for you, and what types of jobs are best suited to your skills. This flexibility and freedom is an asset, especially to a young professional.
Common Misconceptions about C2H Work
We’ve debunked a few common misconceptions about C2H work for you to help put your mind at ease about choosing these opportunities for your next job:
C2H is a step back/starting over
Some people may feel this is a step back from a previous full time job. People may also fear this doesn’t look professional on a resume. This isn’t true! The idea of starting over to be perceived as a negative is a myth. Especially in today’s job market, starting over is sometimes the best place to start.
2. Financial Instability because you lose your job
People are worried that once the contract is up, you will lose your job. Yes, technically this is true because your contract has been fulfilled. However, there is a potential of being hired full time, or finding another C2H job opportunity.
3. It looks like “Job Hopping” or “Being Fired”
This isn’t true at all! C2H will not put a black mark on your resume. To other hiring mangers, it will be clear that your contractual obligations at companies ended, therefore you moved onto your next role. No one will hold a C2H job against someone because there is always something to be gained from professional experience.
To further combat these misconceptions, make sure to learn from each job! Enjoy each experience and make the most out of it.
Now What?
If you think C2H is right for you, start exploring the opportunities. Remember, you’re in control during this process.
Send Basilone your resume too. We are working with a nationally recognized C2H firm called Fox Hire. We will help place you in the right role to get your career off the ground!
info@basilone.net