Contract to hire (1 Viewer)

[Rayderr]

So, have a job interview for this afternoon. Tech position with a 3 month contract, then the company can decide whether or not to bring me on as a full employee.

I got about 3 months left before contract I'm currently on is scheduled to come to an end (it may or may not be extended. Very mixed signals on that.) If I did stay to the end I would get 2 months severance.

Anyone ever gone through a contract to hire process? Pros? Cons? how did it turn out? How often does one get hired in these situations?

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I did a 6 month contract once and got hired after (it was pretty much a guarantee and that's just how they did things)

Certainly not ideal especially from a benefits perspective but luckily was able to go on my wife's insurance during that time

 

[Rayderr]

I did a 6 month contract once and got hired after (it was pretty much a guarantee and that's just how they did things)

Certainly not ideal especially from a benefits perspective but luckily was able to go on my wife's insurance during that time

No insurance during the contract part? That ain't good. Wife is a stay at home mom to a 2 year old.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

They offered it through the contract company but it was very expensive

I'd make sure to get a good understanding of your benefits during the contract period

 

[Poke_4_Life]

So, have a job interview for this afternoon. Tech position with a 3 month contract, then the company can decide whether or not to bring me on as a full employee.

This is becoming quite common in the IT space.

I understand why, because lets face it some IT folks are not what they 'claim' to be. However, it does suck.

 

[Rayderr]

They offered it through the contract company but it was very expensive

I'd make sure to get a good understanding of your benefits during the contract period

Ugh. Does the company typically offer better or worse salaries if they take you on?

 

[Dan Lambskin]

They offered it through the contract company but it was very expensive

I'd make sure to get a good understanding of your benefits during the contract period

Ugh. Does the company typically offer better or worse salaries if they take you on?

It was like 7 years ago but my contract was through a contract company and not the actual company. Once they hired me I got the full company benefits

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

I work in the IT staffing industry and you really have to treat each situation on its own merit. Is the 3 month contract based on a specific project you will be supporting? I would suggest being transparent with the folks you interview with regarding your current situation and the severance potential. Typically, if the company is telling you they are looking at this as a contract to hire situation it usually goes through but obviously your peformance and their budget situation can be reasons it doesn't occur. I would suggest first figuring out if the role/company is a good fit for you as best you can in an interview. If so, then I would suggest having a discussion regarding the potential for converting to a perm employee if your work performance is solid after 3 months. Find out if they have budget approval now to add a permanent employee. At some point if this looks like it is going to happen, I would also suggest you having a conversation with the staffing company about their terms with the client. In most instances, after 3 months we are also going to charge a conversion fee to the client. It typically doesn't get in the way of a company converting someone but if I'm in your shoes I would want to know this information before making a final decision.

In terms of benefits, ACA required all staffing companies to provide benefits as of January 1st. Now, how that matches up with what you currently have would be on you to explore.

 

[Rayderr]

Thanks Baloney. I told the recruiter exactly where I stood in regards to my current job. He says the company is looking to bring someone on staff as soon as possible which is why they are doing a 3 month contract instead of a normal 6. Now, what the recruiter tells the company, I don't know.

The company itself is a decent sized IT/Telecom company (publicly traded on NASQAQ, 4k+ full time employees, 175,000 clients.) Their website is more about the products they sell. I would be more in the operation/training/tech support side, and they don't have much info about that sorta thing on their website.

The recruiter seems to have very limited information. Like he couldn't even tell me where in Columbus the job would be (I know the company has 2 offices in the area)

Oh, and they just rescheduled my appointment for Tuesday.

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

Thanks Baloney. I told the recruiter exactly where I stood in regards to my current job. He says the company is looking to bring someone on staff as soon as possible which is why they are doing a 3 month contract instead of a normal 6. Now, what the recruiter tells the company, I don't know.

The company itself is a decent sized IT/Telecom company (publicly traded on NASQAQ, 4k+ full time employees, 175,000 clients.) Their website is more about the products they sell. I would be more in the operation/training/tech support side, and they don't have much info about that sorta thing on their website.

The recruiter seems to have very limited information. Like he couldn't even tell me where in Columbus the job would be (I know the company has 2 offices in the area)

Oh, and they just rescheduled my appointment for Tuesday.

Yeah, I would just make sure you confirm directly with the company that what the recruiter told you is in fact true.

 

[Rayderr]

Well, that was a pretty miserable experience. Had interview setup for this past Friday. Then told it needed to be rescheduled for this afternoon, just now told the company filled the position. WTF?

 

[Johnny Rock]

That sucks man.