Need to hire a new employee? Consider temp-to-hire.

 

Have you ever hired someone who seemed great on paper and in the interview, but who turned out to be a terrible fit once they started? Maybe their skills didn’t live up to their resume, or they didn’t get along with anyone in their department?

 

When you go with a temp-to-hire strategy, you can avoid that issue.

 

To fill a position on a temp-to-hire basis, you’ll choose a recruiting agency, tell them what you’re looking for, and they’ll provide a temp for you. After the agreed-upon temp period (usually 3-4 months), you can choose to hire the temp as a permanent employee, or just let the contract end.

 

People often talk about temp-to-hire as an extended job interview. You get a much better idea of the temp’s abilities, personality and work habits in 3 months than you could in an hour-long interview. If it’s a good fit, everything is golden. If it’s not, the recruiting agency will take care of everything for you.

 

Who is temp-to-hire good for?

 

Temp-to-hire is great for employers who don’t have time to go through the hiring process - listing the job, going through hundreds of resumes, interviews, background checks, reference checks, etc. With temp-to-hire, the staffing agency handles all of that. The temp even stays on the staffing agency’s payroll until the end of the temp period.

 

Sometimes employers don’t know exactly what they need in a new hire. They might be starting a new project, or they’re expanding but not sure if the expansion will warrant adding on a full-time position. By going with a temp-to-hire solution, the employer is essentially doing a test run. They can see how the position grows and evolves, and if the temp is the right fit or if they need someone with a different skill set.

 

Pros & Cons

 

CONS

• There’s an added cost to temp-to-hire. The added cost covers payroll and benefits administration, taxes, and service fees.
• Time spent training the temp can be seen as a con, but it would be the same whether it was a temp or a traditional new hire.

 

PROS

• The recruiting agency takes care of finding the temp, which is a huge relief and time saver for many employers.
• The temp stays on the recruiting agency’s payroll and benefits during the temp period, so you don’t need to worry about any of the HR Resources on your end.
• If it’s a good fit, the temp moves off the staffing agency’s payroll and onto your payroll. Once they convert to a permanent employee, there’s no additional cost to worry about.
• If it’s not a good fit, employee and employer can part on good terms.

 

Any questions? Give us a call at (808) 354-0498.

 

If your company is interested in recruitment services, reach out to the professionals at Talent HR Solutions. They have provided HR-related duties to small businesses throughout Honolulu, HI, for over 15 years. Their detail-oriented and devoted staff work with clients to develop a personalized plan that best suits their needs. To schedule an appointment, call them at (808) 354-0498. For more information on their many HR services, including recruitment, workers’ compensation, and health benefits, visit their website.