A quick question for people who've done contract-to-hire

drew726

How often did you get hired after the contract was completed? Trying to decide if this position I'm applying for is right for me.

Mike-Mike

I started on the helpdesk as a contractor in January and was permanent by the first week of June, but I know other people have sat around a lot longer waiting

N2IT

My first IT was full time with the Gubment. But after I foolishly quit and tried Real Estate I eventually caved in and started back at ground zero on the help desk. I was a big time performer I had some experience that goes a long way. I think it took me 5 months to get hired on as a FTE. I then bounced after just under 2 years for a 6 month contract as a team lead, then back to the same company as a network / deskside analyst. Then back to the contract world as a senior technical team lead. I've been leap frogging ever since trying to move up and up and up. So far so good.

phantasm

All told, 18 months. The initial contract was 6 months but it got dragged out and I stuck around. So 18 months from being hired as a contractor to converted to an FTE.

drew726

Currently there's a position like 5 blocks from my house and I'd make about 15k more than my old position if I was hired. I currently commute 30 minutes to work every night doing a night shift. Is it worth taking the risk and taking a contract position and hoping to get hired? I'm a FTE with full benefits, PTO, sick days, etc.

Devilsbane

I'm 1 for 1. But what I found is that recruiters will mislead you. I started my job with the expectation that it was a 6 month contract to hire. What it really was, was an indefinite contract with the potential to move in if a spot opened. A spot opened at 5 months and I was brought on. Some of my fellow consultants went a year or more on their contract to hire. When a spot was open the manager would take whoever he thought was the best fit, didn't care much about time spent.

drew726

Devilsbane wrote: »

I'm 1 for 1. But what I found is that recruiters will mislead you. I started my job with the expectation that it was a 6 month contract to hire. What it really was, was an indefinite contract with the potential to move in if a spot opened. A spot opened at 5 months and I was brought on. Some of my fellow consultants went a year or more on their contract to hire. When a spot was open the manager would take whoever he thought was the best fit, didn't care much about time spent.

this is exactly what I'm afraid of.

WiseWun

drew726 wrote: »

this is exactly what I'm afraid of.

Don't be afraid, just do your job well and hope for the best. I'm in the same position and still deciding. Never been a contractor, I'm use to feeling "secure" as a FTE.

Devilsbane

WiseWun wrote: »

Don't be afraid, just do your job well and hope for the best. I'm in the same position and still deciding. Never been a contractor, I'm use to feeling "secure" as a FTE.

+1 When I got hired I was basically the newest on the team (2 people started the following Monday). When my manager pulled me aside to ask if I would be interested in being hired he said that he had to hire who would hurt him the most if they left. Just do your job the best that you can and make yourself that person that would hurt him or her the most to leave.

I don't like the whole contracting feel either. I just want to come to work, do what I can, and go home with my paycheck. Don't want to be thinking that next week I might not have a job anymore.

stlsmoore

At my current job it was contract-to-hire with a 90 day grace period to decide if I was going to be FT with the company or not. They hired me FT after 2 weeks I mainly believe due to the insane amount of company growth at the time.