Opinion: Contract-to-hire

Hey everyone,

I just had a recruiter talk to me about an opportunity in my area for a Systems Engineer. It sounds like a pretty sweet gig and I asked all the questions I could while I had the chance. However, he mentioned that it was a contract-to-hire and that is the company standard. This particularly raises a flag for me because I've always jumped into mostly full time positions and have never entered a company this way. The pay is pretty good, I calculated it out and it's about a 46% pay increase, however money is not my main objective.

So my question is--Should I let a contract-to-hire gig scare me from pursuing a possible great opportunity? What are every ones thoughts on contract-to-hire? This is a medium sized managed service provider that has their own data center and offers cloud services and managed support. It sounds like there could be A LOT to learn. I've just always been hesitant of contract-to-hire.

The recruiter said that he has very rarely seen a contract-to-hire gig turn sour and says an overwhelming majorly get full time gigs either after the initial period and sometimes before. I should also add that the current company I work at is a little shifty right now--which is why I even answered back to his call.

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Comments

EngRob

Contract to hire is common in my experience and usually gives both parties an extended trial period. I would be more scared if it were a contract only position, although there are still usually clauses that they can choose not to hire after the contract period.

If it will give you more experience and a step up then you should seriously consider. You could always put aside some of the 46% increase as a buffer in case it doesn't turn permanent. Sounds like you would still be in a better position experience wise even if that did happen.

Good luck!

kbowen0188

Contract-to-hire seems to be the standard where I am from as well. The position I am currently in was contract-to-hire and it never presented a problem at all.

tkerber

kbowen0188 wrote: »

Contract-to-hire seems to be the standard where I am from as well. The position I am currently in was contract-to-hire and it never presented a problem at all.

Thank you for all your replies and responses. I'm kind of puzzled how I haven't came across any contract-to-hire positions yet in my career. I've just always had permanent placement so maybe I'm just being a worry wart. For the record it's a 6 month contract-to-hire with the possibility of on boarding to full time before the 6 month contract.

kbowen0188

Every time I have ever seen it, it has been exactly how EngRob said. It was an extended trial period to make sure that the potential hire was going to fit in with the work environment and be able to handle all the tasks. Mine was a 3 month contract-to-hire and I was handed the papers to sign for the full-time position a little earlier as well.

So, I totally wouldn't let it stop you.

richnewman

Around the DMV area (DC, Maryland, Virginia), apparently companies will use them to fill a temporary need, just describing the position as contract-to-hire. I figured this is probably to get higher qualified people..? I've avoided them for this reason, but there are enough jobs around here that it isn't holding me back.

Jon_Cisco

Are you comfortable looking for a new job in 6 months? I think I would take it if I were you but don't assume you will be kept on. Plan to be there 6 months and if things work out then maybe you stay longer.

Don't take the recruiters word for it. If he can't back up his claim with some sort of data then assume he is telling you what you want to hear.

Good Luck!

tkerber

Jon_Cisco wrote: »

Are you comfortable looking for a new job in 6 months? I think I would take it if I were you but don't assume you will be kept on. Plan to be there 6 months and if things work out then maybe you stay longer.

Don't take the recruiters word for it. If he can't back up his claim with some sort of data then assume he is telling you what you want to hear.

Good Luck!

That's a good way of looking at it. I'm in my very early twenties and have a few years of experience but I can definitely say that I'm not looking to settle down and stick with one company for the rest of my career unless it's truly what I want. So I wouldn't be extremely torn if I wasn't hired full time, however it wouldn't be exactly a great thing either. I have a lot of experience touching a lot of different kind of technologies (SonicWalls, WatchGuards, Extreme, Cisco, Linux, Windows Server, POS, etc..)--none of which I would consider myself an expert in, however, I do consider myself stronger in certain areas than others so I think it may be a good opportunity.

I'll wait for more opinions. Overall I'm getting the sense that most of you have had contract-to-hire and it's pretty standard. Thanks again for all your replies, I really appreciate the guidance.

Update: Recruiter said this position is open because the last engineer moved out of state with his wife. Turnover is relatively low in the company other than help desk--or so I'm told.

macboy81

i have been job hunting for a while i currently have a perm job with a managed service but I get alot of contract work offered to me from recruiters and i know a few people ive worked with in the pass who are contractors. ive always said no but i have just accepted my first 6 month contract with a huge retail company and im looking forward to the change, the challenge and experience i think its the best way for me to progress my career within IT exposing me to different environments and technologies having previously worked for local government for 14 years

tkerber

macboy81 wrote: »

i have been job hunting for a while i currently have a perm job with a managed service but I get alot of contract work offered to me from recruiters and i know a few people ive worked with in the pass who are contractors. ive always said no but i have just accepted my first 6 month contract with a huge retail company and im looking forward to the change, the challenge and experience i think its the best way for me to progress my career within IT exposing me to different environments and technologies having previously worked for local government for 14 years

Congratulations! I would be curious to see how things work out for you in that contract. Can you maybe add me as a friend?

Also if you don't mind me asking--what kind of gig is it? What kind of company, position, etc??

coreyb80

I left my previous full time position for a contractor position doing Desktop Support. I did it because it was the only way for me to get in to IT without having any certs or a degree. I can't even lie when I say at times it was a bit nerve wrecking dealing w/ the possibility of losing the gig as I like it here. I started in August 2013 and I was converted to full time as of April of this year. My 1st IT gig and I've learned tons being here.

tkerber

coreyb80 wrote: »

I left my previous full time position for a contractor position doing Desktop Support. I did it because it was the only way for me to get in to IT without having any certs or a degree. I can't even lie when I say at times it was a bit nerve wrecking dealing w/ the possibility of losing the gig as I like it here. I started in August 2013 and I was converted to full time as of April of this year. My 1st IT gig and I've learned tons being here.

That's kind of how I started. However, my first IT job I got when I was 18, as a Desktop Support Analyst--didn't worry me. I was living at home with the rents and it was the first and only contract-to-hire I've had. Needless to say; it worked well. But now that I've got a few years, certs, and a degree behind me I hold a higher position currently and I think what bugs me the most is if I don't get hired then its back to the fun of finding a job again.