Should I Temp Or Should I Go? The Dilemma Of Contract-To-Perm Positions

During the course of a job search, you may be drawn to a temporary-to-permanent opening. These are usually full-time contract positions for a set period of time, and, if certain conditions are met by the end date, may lead to a permanent hire. Sometimes those conditions are specified, while often no information is given until you’re in the role and performing, but you should assume that a stellar performance review will be the minimum required.

Herein lies the dilemma. Do you roll the dice on a temp-to-perm position or stick with searching only for a permanent position? Right off, if you consider a temp-to-perm position the permanent part should be two things – 1) a job you really want, and 2) at a company for which you really want to work. Otherwise, what’s the point?

If you’re considering a temp-to-perm position, here are some pros and cons to consider:

Pros:

• While circumstances vary, if you’re not working in a full-time job chances are it won’t hurt if you have money coming in – even if it’s temporary.

• Taking a temporary position gives you the opportunity to see behind the curtain. At the onset, the only agreement that is binding is the short-term contract position. You may or may not get a permanent job offer that you may or may not accept. You can take the job for a spin before you commit. If you love it, turn up the heat and charm and elevate yourself into a full-time employee. If it’s a disaster, take the money and run.

• Let’s say you accept a temp-to-perm job and it turns out to be everything you want and more. Instead of trying to convince a room full of strangers you’re perfect for the job,  you have a chance to excel from the inside, turn those strangers into friends, and build a track record of success with the people who will ultimately decide whether or not to hire you. Think of it as a long, paid job interview.

• Even if the position ends, you’ve made important connections and now have a history with the company. Sometimes temp jobs lead to permanent positions well after the temp job ends. The job you just completed may open up again, or a different one, and you may be the first phone call when it does. In addition, the company may have a “first who, then what” hiring philosophy. If they believe someone is a great match, they will find a reason to hire them.

• Just like it may be easier to get a full-time job with a company for which you’ve already worked as a temp, it’s a fact that it’s easier to find any full-time job when you’re already working. It’s a perception thing. Somebody getting up and going to a job every day, no matter what job, is looked at more favorably than someone sitting home watching (please choose from the following list based on your age) TV, TV on your laptop, YouTube, or Tik Tok.

Cons:

• Remember, i’s a temp job. You’re not a full-time employee, which means there is less job security. If you’re paid by a staffing firm, you’re not on the company payroll, and, if you are, your position is budgeted for a limited time. Beyond that, there are no guarantees.

• Since you’re not a full-time employee you do not have any of the benefits or perks that go along with it. It’s often salary or hourly wage only, and benefits may or may not be provided through the staffing agency that placed you there. Even if you are provided benefits, they’re often lean as compared to those of a full employee – you’re on your own for everything else.

• A temp-to-perm job can be a grind. You’re “just a temp.” It’s easy to replace you, so you essentially have to over-perform and be mindful of your behavior. Temps can be held to higher standards to keep their jobs. That’s the downside of the “long paid interview” setup, and sometimes you don’t get the full-time job.  

• You sacrifice time that could be spent searching for a full-time job and may make the logistics of a job search more difficult versus not reporting to work. Even though you’re a temp, you’re not free to leave anytime you want. You’re expected to operate like any other employee and won’t necessarily have extra flexibility to search for a full-time job.

Philip Roufail contributed to this article.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching services, and outplacement services. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.