Your Temp-to-Perm Hiring Strategy

by Carol Tice, PayScale.com

In the uncertain recovery of 2010, employers are shying away from making full-time hires. But temporary hiring is on the rise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that 52,000 temporary workers were hired in November, outstripping hiring in any other sector; in December, another 47,000 temporary workers were hired.

It's no secret that many employers have used temporary hiring as a way to try out new workers without making a commitment to provide full benefits--and this practice is on the rise. But experts say that with careful planning, you can use a temp job as a springboard to a permanent position in 2010.

Exploding the myth of "temp-to-perm" listings

Temporary jobs used to be advertised separately from permanent job offers. That's all changed in the past few years.

"Now, out of 100 temporary job listings, we know up front about 20 are temp-to-perm," says Loretta Penn, president of Spherion Staffing Services in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the division for Spherion's clerical, light-manufacturing, and call-center temporary hiring.

That may sound promising, but jobs advertised as temp-to-perm don't necessarily offer a better shot at a permanent position than jobs advertised as temporary hires, says Seattle career expert Robin Ryan, the author of "Over 40 and You're Hired"--so don't count them out. She adds that "temp-to-perm" is essentially a meaningless phrase.

"Temp-to-perm is just the hook to bring you in," says Ryan.

Targeting your temp-to-perm search

If you're a temporary hire made through an employment agency, know that the company cannot hire you full-time without paying a steep fee to the agency.

Because of this, Ryan suggests targeting larger companies in your temp-to-perm hiring search. A big firm might have the deep pockets to pay off your agency, but a small company may find the fee too great a barrier.

Finding the temporary job that you can turn into a permanent one requires a sophisticated, strategic approach. It's not just about grabbing the first available temp job, says Ryan. Think in terms of exactly where you'd like to work, and then engineer your search from there.

Identify promising companies or industry sectors that need your skills. Then call the company HR department directly, or find out which temp agencies that company works with, says Ryan. Large corporations often have a few preferred vendors, so make sure you register with an agency that can place you at your dream company.

When you get an interview at a company you've targeted, consider working for less pay than you might normally accept, recommends Sara Fell, CEO of FlexJobs.com. It might help you get your foot in the door.

"Instead of a higher rate, ask for a bonus for getting the project done on time," she says. "Show the employer you're concerned about giving them value for the money."

Range of temp-to-perm jobs grows

The number of careers where a temporary job might grow into a permanent one has greatly expanded in recent years, says Fell. For instance, listings for temporary or project work on FlexJobs recently included a position for an agronomist, a job involving research into crop production and soil management. This job pays a median annual salary of $53,906, according to online salary database PayScale.com.

"Five years ago, you rarely saw a temporary engineer," says Spherion's Penn, "or a temporary controller--or a bit farther back, a temporary attorney. Now, you do."

Permanent salaries for these positions can be substantial, with project engineers earning a median wage of $75,821; financial controllers, $87,003; and attorneys, $78,114.

Once you're in a temporary job, do your best work to position yourself for a permanent hire, says Ryan. Whatever you do, don't start asking your new employer whether they'll consider keeping you on your very first day.

What's the smartest approach? "Be there a couple of weeks, or even a month or two," she says. "As they get to know you, they are much more likely to help you."

Business writer Carol Tice is a regular contributor to "Entrepreneur," the "Seattle Times," and other major publications.

Source: All salary data is from leading online salary database PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median, annual salaries for full-time workers with 5-8 years of experience and include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing.

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