Contract-to-hire (C2H) lets you work with a consultant on contract first, and hire them as your own employee once you are sure of the fit. You see their skills, work style and fit with your team on real work, before you commit to a permanent hire. INK handles sourcing, screening and the contract period; you decide when to convert.
48–72 hours
to a shortlist of screened profiles
Under 2 weeks
to mobilise, even for rare skills
800+
consultants deployed worldwide
5 countries
where we can contract locally
Is contract-to-hire right for you?
A good fit when
- You want to build your own permanent SAP or technology team
- You want to see someone’s work before you offer a permanent role
- You need the person to start now, while your hiring process catches up
- The role is hard to fill and you can’t afford a wrong hire
Who does what
You manage
- Day-to-day work and priorities
- Assessing fit during the contract period
- The decision and timing of the permanent offer
INK takes care of
- Sourcing and expert screening, with your permanent role in mind
- Contract, payroll and compliance during the contract period
- Regular check-ins with you and the consultant
- Replacement if the fit is not right, under agreed contract terms
- A smooth transfer to your payroll when you convert
What’s included
Screened for the long term
Candidates screened for the permanent role and your culture, not only the first project.
Try before you hire
Real work, in your team, before you make a permanent offer.
Agreed conversion terms
The conversion fee and the earliest conversion date are agreed up front, so there are no surprises. confirm terms
Replacement during the contract
If the consultant is not the right fit, we replace them. confirm terms
Local contracting
Legal presence in 5 countries, so we can contract and pay locally during the contract period.
Smooth handover
Support with notice, documents and onboarding when the consultant joins your payroll.
From request to first day
Brief
Same-day call to agree the role, skills and start date.
Shortlist
Screened profiles in 48 to 72 hours.
Interview
You meet the candidates and choose.
Start
Contract signed and consultant mobilised in under 2 weeks.
Support
Regular check-ins until the assignment ends.
Best practice: making contract-to-hire work
Treat it as a permanent hire from day one
Brief us on the permanent role, salary range and career path, not just the first project.
Tell the candidate it is C2H
Being open about the conversion plan attracts people who want to join you, and keeps them motivated.
Agree the conversion terms first
Fee, earliest conversion date and the salary range for the permanent role, in writing, before the start.
Set clear success measures
Agree what “good” looks like for the contract period, so the decision is based on facts.
Review at fixed points
Check in with the consultant and INK at agreed milestones, not only at the end.
Decide on time
Make the offer when you said you would. Good people have other options.
Compare our hiring models
| Model | Who directs the work | How you pay | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staff augmentation | You | Time and materials | Adding capacity or skills to your team |
| Contract-to-hire | You | Contract, then permanent | Trying before you hire |
| Contract-to-contract | You (or your client) | Subcontract | System integrators staffing client projects |
| Project or fixed bid | INK | Fixed price | A defined scope and outcome |
| Offshore Delivery Centre | INK, with your direction | Monthly team cost | A long-term dedicated team in India |
Tell us who you need
Tell us about the role you want to fill permanently. We’ll come back with screened profiles in 48 to 72 hours.
Frequently asked questions
How does contract-to-hire work?
The consultant works for you on an INK contract first. When you are sure of the fit, you offer them a permanent role and they move to your payroll.
When can we convert the consultant?
At the point agreed in your contract. We agree the earliest conversion date and the conversion terms before the consultant starts.
Is there a fee to convert?
The conversion terms are agreed up front in your contract, so you know the cost before you start.
What if the consultant is not the right fit?
Tell your account manager during the contract period. We replace the consultant under the terms in your contract.
How quickly can someone start?
We send a shortlist of screened profiles in 48 to 72 hours and mobilise consultants in under 2 weeks, even for rare skills.