Looking for a new marketing or creative position? The good news is that it’s a job candidate’s market, and many companies are expanding headcount and creating new positions or departments. The issue, however, is that the process of making a full-time hire at any level often requires hiring managers to jump through layers of hoops before getting the green light to finally extend an offer.
Between a hiring manager getting all of the necessary approvals on top of doing resume reviews, overseeing interviews and conducting reference checks, it can take quite a while from the time you apply for a position to when you receive a job offer. In fact, according to a recent LinkedIn survey, the median time to get hired in marketing is 40 days; for design roles it’s 39 days. So, if you’re seeking work and want to get going sooner than later, you might consider pursuing what’s called a temp-to-hire job.
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With a temp-to-hire arrangement, an employer brings on an employee for a set amount of time, and once that commitment is fulfilled, the company has the option to offer the individual a permanent job.
Wondering if this type of engagement might be for you? Here are five big advantages of temp-to-hire positions:
1. YOU CAN GET HIRED FASTER
There are a range of scenarios that can lead to staffing shortages that an employer must address quickly. For one, many employees are quitting their jobs. In fact, the phenomenon has been dubbed “The Great Resignation.” According to Cella’s 2021 Talent Report for Creative, Marketing and Digital Professionals, 41% of respondents are considering leaving their current employers.
Beyond employee retention concerns, other team members may be unavailable due to family medical leave or sabbaticals. Or the company or department might be dealing with significant workload spikes. All of these factors can leave holes in a department that need filling—
and fast.
With a temp-to-hire position, hiring managers are typically able to make a decision without having to navigate through all of the hoops associated with bringing aboard a full-time employee. Temp-to-hire candidates have a much more streamlined interview processes, which means you’ll get hired faster and get to work quicker.
2. YOU GET TO TRY OUT THE JOB
In a temp-to-hire position, many people focus on earning a full-time role at the end of their temporary assignment. But the focus should be what the job entails—and if it matches your interests and abilities. Being a temporary employee allows you to see if the job description mirrors the work you’re actually executing every day.
One of the most frustrating things an employer can do is overpromise and underdeliver. If you accepted a strategy-related position, but find yourself executing work 75% of the time, maybe this role isn’t right for you long-term. Being a temporary employee gives you the necessary hands-on experience to truly explore the job before making the commitment to be a full-time employee.
3. YOU GET TO KNOW THE COMPANY'S VALUES
In addition to learning about the specific role, you’ll also gain valuable insights into the company as well as its mission and values. Many job candidates want to work for a reputable company that demonstrates a steadfast commitment to doing the right thing for its employees, its community and the world at large. If you care about a highly supportive company culture or policies that support diversity, equity and inclusion, a temp-to-hire engagement offers you the chance to see if your values truly align. Remember that it’s a two-way street. A temp-to-hire engagement is as much an opportunity for you to assess whether the employer is a suitable match for you as much as it’s about the employer determining if you’re a fit for them.
4. YOU GET A GOOD SENSE OF THE WORK-LIFE BALANCE
While compensation and core benefits are always important factors, salary is not the end all be all today. In fact, when looking for a new job, four out of five survey respondents put work-life balance at to the very top of their list, closely followed by remote work flexibility, according to our aforementioned 2021 Talent Report for Creative, Marketing and Digital Professionals. (Increase in compensation ranked third.)
Many companies tout work-life balance but the demands and level of flexibility can vary by position and department. A temp-to-hire arrangement allows you to test drive the schedule to see if the job allows you to balance your professional and personal obligations.
5. YOU COULD GET THE CAREER OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME!
Many highly desirable companies, particularly Fortune 500 firms, have restrictions on how many full-time employees they can have on staff at any given time. That said, a large percentage of these organizations are able to grow their teams and continue to hire by initially bringing on talent on a temporary basis.
A temp-to-hire position can give you a foot in the door and help you to significantly advance your career. The bottom line: Your next dream job could be disguised as a temp position!
