IT Professionals: Should You Consider Contract To Hire Roles?

You may not be aware, but hiring trends are shifting in the technology workplace. Over the past year, employers may be more apt to hire new staff on a contract to hire basis. As an IT professional, there are many benefits of considering this type of work.

Nadia Brika, a Senior Technical Recruiter within ES Technology, a division of The Execu|Search Group explains why this shift is crucial for candidates in the IT space. “Candidates seeking opportunities in technology should be aware of this hiring trend,” she says. “Companies are rapidly turning to this hiring strategy due to its cost and time-saving nature, and candidates can capitalize on this to advance their careers.”

While you may have originally focused your job search on contract or full-time opportunities, contract to hire roles can open a lot of doors for success. Let’s take a look at the main reasons why!

Keep up with cutting-edge technologies

Technology is constantly changing, and tech professionals must ensure they are evolving with it. “Contract to hire work can help keep your skills marketable in a number of ways,” says Nadia. “Not only does it allow you to ensure the employer is utilizing the most up-to-date software and infrastructure, but it also gives you the opportunity to learn new tech skills on the job!”

Get your foot in the door + prove yourself

Getting your resume noticed at a coveted company can still be a challenge despite today’s candidate-driven market. “While the tech industry is facing a skills shortage, top employers will not compromise on quality when hiring,” says Nadia. “To ensure they are making the right decision, many employers are hiring on a contract to hire basis to evaluate a candidate’s skills on the job.”

If you consider a contract to hire assignment as a working interview, you really have the opportunity to prove yourself. According to Nadia, this can give you an advantage even if the project ends and you aren’t brought on full-time. “Contract employees who did impressive work and fit in well with the company culture have a better shot at being considered for other contract or full-time assignments than their competition. This means you can really get your foot in the door at your dream company!”

Assess fit + culture

Not only is a company evaluating your performance, but you are also able to assess whether the role and the company is the right fit for you! “Committing to a full-time role is an important decision,” advises Nadia. “There are a variety of factors to consider when evaluating if this is the right opportunity for you.” This includes but is not limited to: opportunities for career development, room for growth within the company, the level of flexibility offered, and work-life balance.

Negotiate higher long-term pay

By starting as a contract employee, you have the chance to test the ins and outs of the role with pay by the hour. Since this also means there is less risk to the employer, you the ability to try to negotiate a higher hourly rate. “If you are able to succeed in this role and are brought on full-time, this opens up the potential for a higher salary,” says Nadia. “Because you’ve proved your value, the company might be willing to offer you higher compensation in order to keep you around.