Direct Hire vs. Temp-to-Hire: Which is Best for Scaling Your Office Team?

Phones aren't being answered quickly enough. Administrative work is piling up. Customer service teams are stretched thin. And managers are spending too much time on clerical tasks. On top of all that, a new department requires additional staff to get work done, and existing employees are regularly working beyond their normal responsibilities. Clearly, there’s a lot of room for growth here.

If you already know that you need more than contract employment but aren’t sure whether direct hire or temp-to-hire will best suit your business’s needs, DeLong Staffing Specialists is here to help. We will explain how the two hiring models differ and when each can best support business growth. Let’s uncover which approach is right for your business and circumstances. This is all about growing your office team without slowing down growth or momentum.

What Is Direct Hire?

Direct hire employees are sourced, recruited, screened, and interviewed through an employment agency, like DeLong Staffing Specialists. If a job seeker meets the requirements and qualifications of an open position, employers can then opt to hire them on as a permanent employee. Once hired, the employee goes directly onto the client's payroll and receives compensation and benefits according to the employer's policies. Hiring directly through a staffing agency ensures that candidates are an ideal fit for the role, conserving resources and the time and effort it takes to find valuable employees.

Benefits of Direct Hire Staffing

Direct hire benefits both hiring companies and job candidates. For one thing it is often easier to fill a position that requires a long-term commitment, since the majority of workers are looking for stability and job security. Companies may also be able to pick from a larger pool of candidates who are also more focused on their skills, abilities and experience. And because employees are searching for a specific job in their field, when employers need what they’re offering, there’s a higher likelihood of increased employee commitment and retention. Hiring temporary employees directly also saves valuable time and resources on the employer’s end. 

Specific direct hire benefits for job seekers often revolve around what they stand to gain from the position. They are already qualified and know how to do this work, so they’re happy to get started in a role that was custom made for them. The perks of direct hire include it typically being a full-time, permanent position with additional benefits, like health care, life insurance, retirement savings, PTO and more. A direct hire also helps an experienced worker to continue in their career, gaining experience and adding to their overall skill set. They may also enjoy additional benefits, such as employer-provided resources and ongoing training, leading to opportunities for career growth and professional development. For job seekers who have recently graduated, direct hire services from a staffing agency is a quick way to obtain experience and make key connections.

Direct hiring through an employment agency is also often a quicker process for everyone involved when compared with traditional recruiting and hiring. A staffing agency handles all the steps involved in screening candidates and finding a collection of skilled individuals who meet an employer’s specific needs and requirements. Experienced recruiters handle all the work involved to vet each applicant, helping employers to make a careful and measured decision.

When Does Direct Hire Make Sense?

Choosing direct hire employment is often a good way to fill open management and/or executive positions or highly skilled roles. It’s also a good option for filling permanent positions that require specialized skills or extensive experience. Whether employers are in need of an office manager, executive assistant, experienced accounting professional, specialized customer service representatives or any other number of office/clerical and administrative roles, DeLong Staffing Specialists can help, with placements available at all skill levels. If you’re an employer and you’re confident of your long-term staffing needs, direct hire may be a good solution for filling your open position. 

What Is Temp-To-Hire?

In a temp-to-hire arrangement, a worker is technically hired as an employee of the staffing agency, while working at the hiring employer’s workplace. After an agreed-upon period of work, the employer may then decide to hire the worker directly as a permanent, full-time employee. Temp-to-hire arrangements offer both parties an opportunity to determine whether or not the position is the right fit for their individual needs and requirements. These trial positions can last anywhere from 3 months up to as long as 3 years.

At DeLong Staffing Specialists, temp-to-hire employees are under contract with our staffing agency throughout their temporary employment process. We supply their pay and handle the legalities associated with employment in Ohio, along with necessary onboarding for the contracting employer. After the contracted work period with the employer ends, the temp-to-hire employee will then learn whether or not the employer will extend the employment period or choose to permanently hire them. Choosing to transition a temp-to-hire employee to a permanent, full-time position will formally end their contract with DeLong Staffing Specialists.

Benefits Of Temp-To-Hire Staffing

Temp-to-hire jobs offer several advantages for job seekers and employers alike. For one thing, it offers flexibility on all sides. Temp-to-hire positions enable job seekers to decide if a position is a good fit for them, and employers can also determine the same–is the employee a good choice for the role and for office culture? Making an honest assessment of compatibility prior to making a long-term commitment and investing in a permanent employee is often a smart move on the employer’s side.

For job seekers, a temp-to-hire arrangement affords them a focused period of time during which they will no doubt be watched and evaluated. This is the ideal time to showcase hard-earned skills, valuable experience and impressive work performance and also be sure to catch the eye of the hiring manager. The goal is to be hired on full-time, but this may not always happen, for various reasons on either side. Regardless of what happens, though, this temporary position can be seen as an invaluable experience and a meaningful stepping stone in a career path. Temp-to-hire jobs are also a great way to fill in gaps in full-time employment on a resume and to keep skills up while staying professionally active.

At DeLong Staffing Specialists we offer our temp-to-hire employees 24/7 access to recruiters to ensure that their needs are fully met and that they are never without professional counsel throughout their job search and employment period. We ensure direct deposit, weekly pay during the trial period along with a referral bonus.

When Does Temp-to-Hire Make Sense?

Temp-to-hire employment makes sense when a business wants an initial evaluation period to ensure that they definitely do need the position long term. This short-term employment option is also ideal during times of rapid growth and expansion, as it immediately fills open positions and buys time for a more dedicated employee recruitment campaign. Managers may also feel that a candidate is qualified, but needs to evaluate how they perform in the actual work environment. Temp-to-hire employment affords them that opportunity. And if the responsibilities of a new position are still evolving, a temporary worker can help a company to evaluate the roles and responsibilities and ensure that they adequately fit the need. Another way that an employment agency can help a small business with temp-to-hire services is if the business is fairly new and small, and does not have the bandwidth or ability to handle recruiting and initial employment administration.

Using Both Direct Hire and Temp-To-Hire Employment

We’ve discussed when a business may want to opt for either direct hire or temp-to-hire staffing services, but is there ever a case when both can be employed? Of course! If your business is scaling and growth demands the help of a staffing agency, you don’t need to select just one hiring strategy for your entire workforce. While you may want to use direct hire services for the higher level, managerial roles, to ensure experience and ability, you could easily utilize temp-to-hire services for a role such as an administrative assistant. Utilizing the services of staffing agencies in Cleveland will ensure that you get your key roles filled, but still have flexibility and leeway. Temp-to-hire workers can keep things moving and aid in business growth, without you needing to have an iron-clad agreement with them. In fact, in this scenario, contract employment could also be a valuable tool in your staffing toolbox. When you work with a staffing agency and have a scalable staffing strategy, you can better plan for the future while still taking care of today’s operational needs.

Prevent Bad Hires With Job Placement Agencies

A less obvious reason why working with an employment agency to fill either direct hire or temp-to-hire roles is a good idea is that it helps to prevent companies from hiring an employee that won’t work out in the long term. A hire who doesn't work out can potentially strain existing staff and lead to a large output of recruiting, onboarding and training costs, only to leave in the end. Lost management time and workload disruption can lead to lower team productivity, and in the end, there’s still another vacancy to fill. 

There are hidden costs of a bad hire too, like the impact on customer service, communication and project management. Employee culture and morale can also suffer from a bad hire, with a lingering bad attitude and disengaged employees who may also end up walking away. There could be reputational costs to pay, which could give your company a bad name with candidates and lead to missed opportunities. One bad hire can truly cost you, in countless ways. Working with a staffing agency, like DeLong Staffing Specialists, takes the burden off your shoulders and helps you to find the ideal candidates for the roles you desperately need to be filled.

Your Local Employment Agency In Cleveland

Regardless of the employment model you choose, a staffing agency can help to streamline your hiring process and onboarding experience. From candidate sourcing and screening to holding interviews and aiding with worker placement, even through to followup and ongoing support, DeLong Staffing Specialists is here for employers. You’ll gain access to candidate networks and benefit from our decades of local labor-market knowledge while finding the best candidates for your open positions.

Whether you choose direct hire or temp-to-hire employment solutions, you’ll receive additional flexibility and the ability to more easily scale. If you are growing your office team, DeLong Staffing Specialists can help you determine whether direct hire, temp-to-hire, or temporary staffing makes sense for your current workforce needs. From administrative and customer service professionals to specialized office support, our recruiters can help you find qualified candidates while your team stays focused on running the business. Contact us today to discuss your current hiring needs.