What It Is
What Is Contract-to-Hire?
Contract-to-hire places a professional on your team under a contract, with the intent, but not the obligation, to convert them to a full-time employee once you have seen them do the work. Every contractor is screened and reference-checked before joining your team, and the contract period works as a trial before the offer.
Many of CRB Workforce's best permanent hires started as contractors. During the contract period, the professional has health, dental and vision coverage from day one, plus 401(k) access after 90 days.
See the work first
Evaluate someone on the job, not just on a resume and interview
Convert when the fit is right
The offer comes after you have seen the work, once both sides are satisfied
Benefits from day one
Health, dental and vision coverage from day one of the contract, plus 401(k) access after 90 days
A shortlist in 5-10 business days
Typical time from kickoff to a shortlist of qualified, screened candidates
How It Works
How Conversion Works
Start on Contract
The professional joins your team under a contract, screened and reference-checked first.
Work Embedded
They work your priorities, on your systems, alongside your team, not CRB Workforce’s.
Evaluate the Fit
You see the actual work before deciding, instead of relying on a resume and interview alone.
Convert or Continue
Extend a full-time offer once you and the professional are both satisfied with the fit.
Model Comparison
Contract-to-Hire vs. Direct Hire vs. Contract
The right model depends on how confident you are in the fit and whether the role is meant to be permanent.
Factor
Contract-to-Hire
Direct Hire
Contract
Commitment at the start
Contract, no obligation to convert
Full-time offer up front
Contract for a defined term or project
Can you evaluate the work first?
Yes, on the job, before converting
No, the offer comes before day one
On the job, for the length of the contract
Benefits
Health, dental and vision from day one, plus 401(k) access after 90 days
Your company’s benefits plan
Health, dental and vision from day one, plus 401(k) access after 90 days
Best for
A permanent need, with some uncertainty about fit
A permanent need you are confident in
Project-based or time-limited work
Common Questions
Contract-to-Hire FAQ
What is contract-to-hire?
Contract-to-hire is a staffing model where a technology professional starts on a contract basis and has the option to convert to a full-time, direct-hire employee once both sides are ready. It gives you a chance to see the work firsthand before extending a permanent offer.
Is there an obligation to convert a contract-to-hire placement?
No. Converting to full-time is the intent when a contract-to-hire engagement is set up, but the conversion happens only if both sides are satisfied with the fit. Many of CRB Workforce’s best permanent hires started as contractors.
How is contract-to-hire different from a direct hire?
A direct hire receives a full-time offer before starting. A contract-to-hire placement starts on a contract and converts to full-time later, once you have evaluated the fit on the job. Both are right for a role you expect to be permanent; contract-to-hire simply adds a trial period first.
How is contract-to-hire different from straight contract staffing?
Straight contract staffing is for project-based or time-limited work with a defined term. Contract-to-hire is used when the role is expected to become permanent, and the contract period exists specifically to let both sides confirm the fit before converting.
Do contract-to-hire placements get benefits during the contract period?
Yes. CRB Workforce contract-to-hire placements have access to health, dental and vision coverage from day one of the contract, plus 401(k) access after 90 days.
How quickly can a contract-to-hire placement start?
CRB Workforce typically delivers a shortlist of qualified candidates within 5-10 business days of kickoff. Every contractor is screened and reference-checked before joining your team.
Ready to Try Before You Hire?
Tell us about the role, and we will let you know how fast we can get someone started.