Temp to Hire Jobs: 6 Powerful Benefits for Twin Cities Job Seekers

If you want a permanent job but need to start working soon, temp to hire jobs can give you both. You begin as a temporary worker, and if the job is a good fit for you and the employer, it can become a permanent position. Here is how temp to hire jobs work in the Twin Cities, six powerful benefits and practical tips to get hired full time.

How temp to hire jobs work

1. You apply with a staffing agency and get matched with a temp to hire role.
2. You start working for the employer, while the agency usually employs and pays you during the temporary period.
3. After the agreed trial period, the employer can offer you a permanent job on their own payroll.

The trial period gives both sides time to make sure the job, the schedule and the team are a good fit before anyone commits.

6 benefits of temp to hire jobs

1. Start working sooner

Temp to hire jobs often begin faster than permanent openings because the hiring process is shorter. You can start earning while you prove yourself.

2. Try the job before you commit

You get to see the workplace, the team, the commute and the schedule before deciding if it is right for you.

3. Show your skills, not just your resume

An interview only shows so much. On the job, you can prove your reliability, attitude and skills every day.

4. Build experience and references

Even if a role does not become permanent, you gain new skills, recent experience and references for your next job.

5. Get support from a recruiter

Your staffing agency recruiter can answer questions, help with problems and speak up for you when the employer is deciding on a permanent offer.

6. Explore new industries

Temp to hire jobs let you try different kinds of work, such as warehouse, maintenance, cleaning or office support, without a long commitment.

How to turn a temp to hire job into a permanent offer

• Be on time for every shift and tell your recruiter right away if something comes up.
• Learn the job quickly and ask questions when you are unsure.
• Follow safety rules and workplace policies.
• Be friendly and helpful with coworkers and your supervisor.
• Ask your supervisor for feedback halfway through the assignment.
• Tell your recruiter you want a permanent role, so they can speak up for you.

Is temp to hire right for you?

Temp to hire jobs are a great fit if you want stable work, you are changing careers, you are new to the Twin Cities or you are coming back to work after a break. They may be less ideal if you need a guaranteed permanent position from day one, in which case ask your recruiter about direct hire roles. Employers can compare options in our guide to temp agency vs direct hire.

Popular temp to hire jobs in the Twin Cities

• Warehouse jobs in St. Paul, such as material handler and shipping clerk
• Maintenance technician jobs at apartment communities
• Custodial and cleaning roles in offices and buildings
• Front desk and office support roles

Get ready to apply

Update your resume with recent work, skills and availability using our resume tips for temp jobs. Keep your identification documents ready, since every employer must complete Form I-9 (see USCIS). Then apply with a local staffing agency and tell them you are interested in temp to hire jobs. For more search ideas, read our guide to jobs in St. Paul.

Temp to hire vs other job types

It helps to understand how temp to hire jobs compare to other options. A purely temporary job ends when the assignment is over, with no plan for a permanent offer. A direct hire job puts you on the company’s payroll from day one, but the hiring process is usually longer. Temp to hire sits in the middle: you start quickly, like a temporary job, but with a real chance of becoming a permanent employee.

When you talk to a recruiter, ask whether a role is temporary, temp to hire or direct hire, and how long the trial period usually lasts. Knowing this helps you plan your finances and decide which opportunities fit your goals.

What employers look for during the trial period

During temp to hire jobs, supervisors watch for the same things they would look for in a permanent employee: attendance, attitude, safety, quality of work and how well you work with others. They also notice whether you take initiative, such as asking for more tasks when you finish early. Treat every day of the assignment like an interview, and you will give yourself the best chance of a permanent offer.

Frequently Asked Questions