Voice of Business Blog

Guest post from Greater Rochester Chamber member TES Staffing

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Hiring has never been simple, but the last few years have made it feel especially complicated. Across Greater Rochester, employers are trying to balance the reality of staff shortages, rising workloads, and the very real need to bring people onto their teams who fit. Skills matter, yes — but so do communication styles, work ethic, personalities, values, and the way someone approaches the day.

And that’s where temp-to-hire comes in.

Temp-to-hire isn’t a loophole, a shortcut, or a “let’s see how this goes” kind of arrangement. At its best, it’s a practical and respectful way for both the employer and the employee to get to know each other before making a long-term commitment. It gives everyone a chance to see how things feel in real life — not just in an interview across a conference room table.

Why Temp-to-Hire Works in a City Like Ours

Rochester is a community built on relationships. Many workplaces are close-knit. Teams rely on each other. And people genuinely want to work somewhere they feel like they belong and are valued. When you hire someone full-time right away, you’re making a big commitment on limited information. If it turns out not to be the right fit — for either side — it can be uncomfortable and costly.

Temp-to-hire gives both the employer and the employee a chance to ask the real questions:

• Do we work well together?
• Does this environment feel right?
• Does the pace make sense for me?
• Do our values align?

You can’t always answer these things in an interview setting. But you can answer them after a few weeks of working side by side.

It Also Helps Protect Your Team

When your team is already stretched thin, the stakes of hiring feel even higher. The wrong hire doesn’t just impact productivity — it can affect morale, confidence, and the tone of the workplace.

Temp-to-hire lets you get support without adding strain. And if it’s a great fit (which it often is), transitioning to full-time feels natural — not forced.

And It Speeds Up the Hiring Process

Recruiting on your own takes time:

• Sorting through resumes
• Coordinating schedules
• Conducting interviews
• Checking references
• Onboarding and paperwork

All while still doing your actual job.

A staffing partner shortens that runway. Candidates come pre-screened, interviewed, referenced, and prepared. Which means the support your team needs arrives sooner — not months down the line.

What Makes This Model Especially Effective Is the Support Behind It

People do better when they feel supported — that’s true in any workplace. In a temp-to-hire setup, the employee is not walking into the job alone. They have:

• A recruiter checking in
• Someone available to answer questions
• Someone helping them adjust
• Someone reminding them that they’re allowed to ask for clarification

And this matters.
It’s often the difference between surviving a new job and growing into a new role.

But Let’s Talk Honestly About the Considerations

Temp-to-hire works best when expectations are clear from the start.
If the goal is permanent employment, the employee should know that. People show up more fully when they know what they’re working toward.

And even though the position begins as temporary, onboarding still matters. A new hire still needs to know where things are, who does what, and how decisions get made. A thoughtful first week protects everyone’s time and sets things up for long-term success.

It’s also worth noting that not every position is a temp-to-hire position. Highly specialized roles often make more sense as direct hires. Positions that see high turnover may be better as temporary roles without a long-term expectation. Temp-to-hire shines in the middle — where reliability, communication, and day-to-day consistency matter.

Where We’re Seeing Temp-to-Hire Used in Rochester Right Now

This model has been especially effective for:

• Medical office and patient support roles
• School support and educational staffing
• Administrative and clerical positions
• Entry-to-mid-level production and warehouse roles
• Customer service and call center environments

These workplaces run on trust, rhythm, and teamwork. Temp-to-hire gives them space to build that trust gradually and intentionally.

How to Know If Temp-to-Hire Makes Sense for Your Team

Here’s a simple check:

• You want to hire more confidently, with less guesswork.
• Your workload shifts throughout the year.
• Your staff is stretched thin while openings remain unfilled.
• Retention matters to you — not just hiring.

If even two of these feel true, temp-to-hire is likely worth exploring.

Where TES Comes In

At TES Staffing, we’ve worked alongside Rochester employers for over 15 years. What we’ve learned is that hiring is personal. Roles are not just job descriptions — they’re people, relationships, personalities, and rhythms. When we match someone to a workplace, we’re not just thinking about experience. We’re thinking about environment, values, pace, communication styles, and who thrives where.

Because fit isn’t something you can see on a resume — it’s something you feel.

And when the fit is right, everyone benefits:
The employer. The team. And the person stepping into something new.

Temp-to-hire isn’t about hesitation — it’s about intention.
It’s a way to hire thoughtfully, support your existing staff, and build workplaces where people can grow and belong.

And in a community- centered city like Rochester, that matters.