So after my lay-off, I started a temp-to-hire job at a local insurance company as a review nurse back in March. Now it has been almost 3 months. How has it been?
First off, what is temp-to-hire? You start off in your position employed by an agency. After a certain time period, if you are deemed to be a "good fit" and a position is available, you make that transition into a full-time permanent job as an employee of that particular company. It's starting to be the substitution for the three month probation period that you will have at any job.
One thing I have learned: No job is "permanent"--even if you are considered as such. There is ALWAYS that chance that you could get outsourced, the program could change, etc. I was laid off 3 months after starting my past permanent job. So you just NEVER know. My situation, as temp-to-hire, is probably more stable than my last permanent job. There are people that have been here for 30 years plus, and they are the more of the rule than the exception. There is an entire parking area devoted to them!
I have had my share of unhappiness with the "temp to hire" experience:
1) I did not negotiate what I should have--so I am making what I made as a perm, but without benefits. I think the recruiter could have given a little guidance towards this, and felt this individual was looking out for their best interests only, so I wasn't very happy.
2) I was told that it would probably be "two months" before getting hired full-time. Then I was told "3-4 months." Wrong. I found out that there is actually no time limit--with an average of 6-9 months as a temporary employee. Being upfront about this would have been the right thing to do.
3) Negative comments by the corporate trainer--like when I asked him what the contractor's role was, he told me that "well...FTE are afraid of losing their jobs to contractors." Two days in. Uhhh...shit!!! You get some of those flippant comments--and you HAVE to ignore them, or if you are like me, you'll be crying 24-7. I found out that we NOT taking jobs--and that is not the intent of the department. There has been some turnover (some nurses just can't work telephonically), and they are wanting to make sure it is a good match for both people before converting to FTE...not replacing FTEs. It's brand new to this department, and it makes people a little nervous. It's brand new to me too. BUT I see an opportunity here to help w/this transition.
4) Miss out on little things--like everyone in my department got a nice gift. Except the two contractors of 70. There aren't a lot of tangible "perks" as a contractor. However, I am lucky to be in a stable position with a steady paycheck--and that in itself, is a BIG perk. No one is entitled to ANYTHING!
5) I was holding myself to a different standard--like I wasn't taking breaks and working through my lunches. I found out that I do NOT have to do that (though I still do to a certain extent).
However, it has also been a great experience too!
1) My boss at the company (as well as her boss) is SO AWESOME!!! She is the best. She is great about feedback and helping me find my place here. Ideas are always welcome and she is a great role model towards what I am looking for as I travel through my career as a nurse.
2) What doesn't kill you makes you stronger! I'm starting to develop a thicker skin. Maybe.
3) My bosses have told me they think I am doing a great job--and are talking about me coming on permanent in the future. Another contractor was just hired on permanent (and it was around 5 months, so that's like what, 2-3 more months?).
4) The people are really nice and have been welcoming. We have a lot of potlucks etc, and we ARE welcome to those. We don't get left out of EVERYTHING.
5) I leave my job at WORK! I never have to think about it at home. No weekends. No holidays. Also, I love the actual "work" part of the job, and am perfectly happy to talk on the phone all day long. I also use a lot of critical thinking, have to see the "whole picture," and I'm never ever bored.
Would I do the "temp-to-hire" again? No. However, I don't think I'll have to, because I have found where I want to stay.
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