Temp vs. Temp To Hire vs. Direct – A Guide to Job Types

When working with a staffing firm, you may find yourself somewhat overwhelmed by all of the position types that are available. Have you found yourself asking these questions?

How do temp to hire jobs work?

Can a temp assignment help me network?

How are direct hire positions different from temp to hire roles?

We understand that all of the different placement types can get confusing sometimes. Therefore, here is our comprehensive guide to placement types that you may encounter when working with a firm!

Temporary Jobs

Temporary or temp jobs are often quite common if you are working with a staffing firm. A temp job is a position that has a definite end date. There are many reasons why an employer may need a temp worker. Sometimes a position only requires a certain amount of work, or occasionally a temporary employee is needed to fill in for a worker that is absent.

Temporary jobs are often misunderstood by many due to the fact that they are extremely flexible and can change depending on the specific circumstances. Here are five temporary job fast facts to help you understand how temp jobs work!

5 Temporary Job Fast Facts

1. Temp Jobs can Lead to a Direct Hire- If an employer and candidate are a great match for each other, an employer can choose to hire them directly.

2. Temp Jobs are Great for Networking- Temporary jobs are a great way to connect and network with employers. They will greatly help you grow your professional network.

3. Temp Jobs Will Help Build Skills and Broaden your Horizons- If you are lacking experience that may keep you from direct hire roles, a temporary job will allow you to build extremely valuable skills. The experience and skills that you will build on assignment will not only look great on a resume, they will help to broaden your horizons in your career as a whole.

4. Career Opportunities Can Open Up- When going for a direct hire position, you may be overlooked due to the number of applicants. While on a temporary assignment, you can get your foot in the door to many career opportunities that wouldn’t normally be available to you in a direct hire scenario.

5. Staffing Firms Will Provide Feedback and Advocate for You- While you are on a temporary assignment, your recruiter and staffing firm can provide you with valuable career related feedback. This feedback will allow you to get better at your job, build skills, and allow for smoother on-boarding in the future.

Along with these 5 fast facts, here is a full list of pros and cons that can also help you understand the advantages of temporary assignments. Temp jobs are great if you are looking to both build experience and open up new opportunities for yourself in any industry!

Pros of Temp Positions

• Temp jobs can allow you to experiment with multiple industries and positions in a short period of time.

• Temp positions allow for flexibility in scheduling and time commitment.

• It’s a great option for those with little job history to build up their resume while learning and developing new skills.

• Temp jobs allow for a multitude of professional networking opportunities.

• Temp roles allow you to gain access to opportunities that may not be available otherwise.

• Staffing firms will advocate and help you improve while on a temp assignment.

Cons of Temp Positions

• Lack of perceived job security in the long term.

• Benefits are often not included in temp positions.

• Can be a difficult transition for those in a long-term career.

Temp-To-Hire Jobs

Temp to hire positions are often one of the most versatile job types that one can utilize when working with a staffing firm. Temp to hire jobs allow job seekers to try out a job before committing to a long term agreement. Think of it as a free trial, but you, the job seeker, get paid! If you don’t like the position, you can treat the job just like a temp job, and end at the agreed date. However, if you do end up really liking the job, an employer can directly hire you directly after your temporary contract ends.

Temp to hire jobs are a great middle ground for people that want to try out new positions, but also may want the option of having something that is a bit more long term. Depending on the agency that you work with, the temporary phase of a temp-to-hire contract will vary in length. Many often overlook the power that temp to hire positions have to help a career, so here is one last pros and cons to help!

Pros of Temp-To-Hire Positions

• Great way to build experience for your career and resume.

• Will help build professional relationships and connections that can open up a multitude of job opportunities that may otherwise be unavailable.

• Allows you to find out if a job is a good fit for you.

• If job is not a fit, there is no risk to you or the employer.

• If you are hired, many employers may use your temp period as your probationary period. This could give you direct access to benefits without delay.

Cons of Temp-To-Hire Positions

• Benefits and pay may be limited until you are hired after the temporary period.

• Being hired at the end of a temp to hire contract is not fully guaranteed.

• Can be risky for those with established careers.

Direct Hire Jobs

A direct position is what most job seekers talk about when they are looking to get hired for a job. In this type, an employer will directly hire a candidate for a specific role. These roles are most often full time positions with benefits, but can range in scope depending on the situation.

When it comes to staffing agencies, direct hire roles are most often positions that require a high amount of proficiency and experience. Staffing firms and their clients want to find candidates that are highly skilled in a short amount of time. Direct hire is a great option if you are looking for an extremely specialized role that requires a lot of experience.

However, there are some downsides to the direct hire route. One thing to note is that direct hire positions are normally extremely competitive. They often receive hundreds if not thousands of applicants. Your resume may be overlooked in this situation, especially if you are lacking in the required skills needed for the role. Most direct hire positions also include a 90 day probationary period where your benefits may not be in effect. In this probationary period, you also may be terminated if the employer does not see you as a good fit. While direct hire positions may seem more secure than other types, probationary periods can limit this job security. In many ways, probationary periods are quite similar to temp to hire situations!

Here is a full list of pros and cons for you to consider.

Pros of Direct Hire Positions

• Competitive wages.

• Benefits upon eligibility after a waiting period.

• More perceived security than other job types.

• Great opportunity for career and network building.

Cons of Direct Hire Jobs

• Most direct hire jobs may include a 90 Day probationary period that could limit benefits.

• Direct hire positions are often highly competitive, and your resume may be overlooked.

• The time to hire is often much longer than other types.

• Less flexibility in scheduling.

• Limiting for candidates that want variety in their careers.

The Bottom Line

All in all, each job type has its own strengths and weaknesses. However, one of the advantages about working with a staffing agency is that we can give you access to all three of these options! At PSI, we have so many jobs and job types to keep you happy and make sure your career stays on track.

Are you interested in learning more about these job types?

Reach out on Instagram or Facebook and let’s talk!