9 Reasons to Work with a Software Engineer Temp to Hire

You need software engineers fast. But you know the hiring process can go on and on—for days, weeks, even months you don’t have. At the same time, you can’t afford to skimp on quality and cut corners. What do you do?

A software engineer temp-to-hire could be the answer. You’ll streamline hiring and get specialized skills on your team in a fraction of the time it takes to onboard full-time developers. And if they mesh with your company, it’s easy to convert them to more permanent employees. 

Why else should you consider software engineer temp-to-hires?

1. Reduce hiring time.

Streamline the hiring process and reduce the number of hiring cycles. Recruiting temp workers is naturally less time-intensive than hiring full-time developers given that the stakes are lower. Plus, if the candidate ends up being a good fit for your team, you can seamlessly transition them to a more permanent role and reduce the time and resources you would normally spend on recruitment.

2. Evaluate fit and skills before committing.

When you work with a software engineer temp-to-hire, you’ll have a trial period to evaluate how the contractor fits in with your existing team and company culture before you commit to them full-time. This will allow you to assess their technical expertise and soft skills. You’ll also gain firsthand insight into how the engineer collaborates and manages their time.

3. Expand your candidate pool.

You’re not limited to candidates with a preferred work method, such as full-time or contractor roles. With temp-to-hire arrangements, you can find software engineers with all work styles and preferences. This will allow you to expand your candidate pool and better equip you to retain top talent.

4. Mitigate risks.

You have no obligation to hire a software engineer if their work doesn’t meet your needs or they don’t fit in well with your team. The risk is significantly lower than hiring a full-time engineer right out of the gate. 

5. Scale quickly.

Right-size your team without any commitment thanks to temp-to-hire talent. Bring on skilled developers to complement your existing, in-house team, and get the opportunity to ensure fit. Scale quickly with high-quality talent.

6. Enjoy flexibility.

Pivot without any hassle if and when your workforce, business, or project needs change. Temp-to-hire is an ideal arrangement for both project-based commitments and longer-term scenarios. 

7. Save on costs.

Temp-to-hire allows you to curb expenses and utilize fewer resources. Rather than spending significant time, money, and effort on finding full-time engineers, you can simply transition a contractor to a full-timer. Plus, you don’t have to worry about overhead costs like benefits until the worker becomes full-time. 

8. Get specialized skills.

From AI and machine learning engineers to UX and UI designers, you can find the unique skills you need on your team. Whether you’re looking for talent for short-term projects or long-term engagements, working with temp-to-hire professionals allows you to tap into specialized skills without forcing you to commit.

9. Improve team morale.

Your in-house team will have the opportunity to work with the contract engineer before you hire them full-time. They will be able to provide feedback on the engineer’s skills and ability to collaborate. That will involve them in the hiring process and help improve morale. Moreover, if the candidate does move into a more permanent role, the transition will be smoother since the existing team will already know them and how they work with other team members.

Temp to Hire vs. Contract to Hire

Temp to hire and contract to hire are similar types of employment, and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. However, they differ in terms of details and flexibility. 

Temp-to-hire engineers are usually temporary, full-time hires who may become permanent employees after a set trial period. Contract-to-hire engineers are typically hired for specific projects and may be onboarded as permanent, full-time employees after the project is completed. They’re often part-time, independent employees (although they may be employed by an external agency) until they transition into full-time roles at your company. 

Considering a software engineer temp-to-hire arrangement? At Terminal, we facilitate all types of hiring plans and encourage contract-to-hire. We carefully vet all candidates and simplify the hiring process—whether you want a contractor or a full-time developer.