Despite all the freedom that the gig economy promises, the security of a full-time job sometimes outweighs the many benefits of flex work. After bouncing around from contract to contract, you might be ready to settle down, truly get to know your coworkers, and plant the roots of your career. If you’re a freelancer looking to become full-time at your current client, or if you’re a client who wants to hire your freelancer, keep reading for a few tips on transitioning from the gig economy into a permanent position.
For Candidates:
Find the Right Fit
The best way to get into a full-time position is finding a client that is looking to hire someone in your role and who is transitioning from the gig economy into a full-time position. Many companies are looking to fill contract-to-permanent positions and consider the contract role as a test run to see if you’re a good fit for the position. This is also your opportunity to decide if this role and company are the right fit for what you want.
If you jumped into the gig economy looking for that flexibility, you can still maintain it through the negotiation process. If you have proven results from working remotely or with less supervision, you can ask for the opportunity to work off-site, even in your permanent position.
Use a Recruiter
A staffing agency or recruiter has already done the research on contract-to-permanent positions and can help you find the best positions for your skills quickly while you are transitioning from the gig economy into a full-time position. Since the recruiter is in touch with each company, he or she will know which ones are open to hiring full-time.
This makes the process practically seamless. You start the role as a contractor, and you can transition to the position full-time in as little as a few months.
If you pick a recruiter who specializes in your field, anything from IT-specific roles to finance, he or she will be able to detail exactly what each job requires. Recruiters also understand your qualifications to better sell you to the client. You don’t want someone downplaying your achievements, so make sure you find a recruiter who knows all about them.
Make Yourself Indispensable
Even if the company isn’t planning on hiring full-time at the end of the project, you can still make your case for a full-time position. Keep an eye on job boards and mention your interest in a particular open role (they already know you, which makes them more open to hiring you). You can also make a case for the position beyond the end of the project. Either way, if you’re looking to transition from gig to full-time position, you bring so much value to the table that they can’t imagine losing you.
For Employers:
Contract-to-permanent positions basically run as a test-run period. This enables you to determine if the candidate truly is a good fit for your company before you invest in onboarding resources.
Partner with a Hiring Agency
Save yourself time and headache by working with a staffing agency to find the best contractors. You could field hundreds of resumes and go through dozens of phone interviews with ill-prepared and underqualified candidates. Or you could receive hand-selected recommendations from a recruiter who has the network in place to find the qualified expertise you need.
Typically, these recruiters have placed the same candidate in several different contract roles or projects, making them familiar with skill sets and other employer reviews. This pre-qualified interview process is less stressful, and you’ll save money in training while the candidate is a temporary employee.
Hire Your Current Contractor
After a few months, that temporary employee might begin to be part of the family. It’s time to offer him or her some security and official team membership. Once you confirm he or she is interested in the full-time position, you’ll work with the recruiting agency to complete the transition.
Of course, your freelancer might want to keep the freedom and learning opportunities that come with contract positions. Make sure you’re ready to offer similar flexibility or increased pay based on the benefits he or she would be giving up by going full-time.
Wrapping Up:
Start interviewing the best candidates today by speaking with one of our hiring experts. We’ll get you started on the road from the gig economy to full-time employment.
