Try the fit. Convert when it’s proven.
Bring on the talent you need for a live project, see the work firsthand, and convert to permanent when it’s clearly right. The vetting happens up front, so the trial is low-risk from day one.
Who it’s for.
A firm that wants to try before committing — unsure of the long-term need, verifying fit on real work, or carrying a workload that might become permanent. You get to see how someone actually performs on your projects before the offer, not after.
How it works.
Start on contract
The designer joins for a defined period, billed by the hour, working your live project on your tools and standards.
See the real work
You evaluate output, judgment, and fit on the job itself, a far better read than any interview.
Convert when it fits
When both sides are sure, convert to a permanent hire. No second search, no cold start.
Why it de-risks the hire.
Most hiring risk is the gap between the interview and the work. Project-to-perm closes it: you watch real output before you commit. And because CFA’s vetting happens before day one — professionally referenced, most candidates CFAeX-certified — the “try” starts from a high floor, not a guess.
Conversion.
During the project phase you pay a single combined hourly rate — no overtime. If you convert the contractor to a permanent hire, the conversion fee scales down the longer the proven fit runs — and after six months, there’s no conversion fee at all. The trial works in your favor: the longer you’ve watched the work, the less it costs to bring them on permanently. (Conversions aren’t covered by the permanent-placement guarantee, since you’ve already seen the work firsthand.) We’ll lay out the conversion terms before you start.
Not sure which model fits? Compare all three placement types — or read about the other two: Permanent · Project. Every placement is backed by CFAeX vetting, and our Salary Guide shows the market rate.
Common questions
What is project-to-perm (contract-to-hire)?
You bring a designer on as a contractor for a defined period, evaluate the work on a live project, and convert them to a permanent employee when it is clearly right.
Why is project-to-perm lower risk?
You watch real output before committing, and because CFA’s vetting (professional references, recruiter screening, and CFAeX certification on most candidates) happens up front, the trial starts from a high floor.
How does the conversion work?
Contract hours run at an hourly rate; conversion to permanent follows a set schedule, with the contract period counting toward it. We lay out the path before you start.