Go from contract work to full-time hire with talent you trust.

Find highly-skilled talent on Upwork open to contract-to-hire opportunities. Get started with a short-term contract right now and trial a working relationship – hire them full time when the time is right. 

Post a contract-to-hire job

Here’s how contract-to-hire works on Upwork.

A contract-to-hire opportunity starts with a short-term contract and has the potential to turn into a full-time job.

1
Post a contract-to-hire job
Post your job to let talent know it’s a short-term contract and has the potential to turn into a full-time working engagement. 
2
Trial working with talent
Choose one or multiple professionals and start working on a short-term contract to assess skills and potential fit for your business.
3
Decide whether to go full time
When you’re ready, hire trusted talent that best meets your full-time needs. If you both agree to go full time, simply pay a one-time fee to convert your Upwork contract, and we’ll guide you both through the process.
4
Keep the good work going

Once complete, you can move your working relationship to your systems. Need help to pay talent compliantly? Upwork Any Hire has you covered. 

Post a contract-to-hire job

Introducing Direct Contracts

With Upwork, your payment is safe and sound until you approve releasing it. No hassle. No Upwork account necessary.

Why contract-to-hire? Let us count the ways.

Hire confidently

Build trust, reduce risk, and make more informed hiring decisions by working with talent on a short-term contract first. If their skills are a perfect fit, and they’re open to moving to a full-time work arrangement, you have the option to hire talent full time, anytime.

Hire flexibly

Upwork’s marketplace is built to serve the diverse hiring needs of your business. Hire for quick projects, hourly contracts, or contract-to-hire to full-time work — all in one place. 

Hire efficiently

Access the global pool of professionals on Upwork and use our self-serve features to find, vet, and hire for the skills you need quickly.

Hear from talent making it work.

“I’m proud to have had a leading role in the growth of a company that discovered me through Upwork, starting from the early development stages to what is now a thriving digital enterprise. When I was invited to continue working with the company as an employee, Upwork’s platform made the process to convert our Upwork contract simple and straightforward for me and my client. The company and I have built such a strong relationship, we’re even exploring ways to bring on more freelancers like me into full-time positions.”
Nikolay Blinov,
Technical Product Manager
Project Manager | Scrum Master
“I have a background in software engineering, as well as teaching and tutoring computer programming. I was so excited when a leading online tech training institute offered me my first job on Upwork: an opportunity to serve as a computer programming Java instructor and help them enhance their remote instruction team.

After working with the company for a few months, the client offered me the opportunity to convert to a full-time employee. Upwork’s solution for full-time hiring made the contract conversion process seamless and easy. The job was a perfect fit for my skill set. I love the inclusivity of the client and am so grateful for the opportunity.”
Ezra Williams,
Programmer with
Testing experience
“Thanks to Upwork, I’ve learned a lot and have had opportunities to improve my skills. I’ve worn many hats, from starting out as a Virtual Assistant working on small contracts, to being hired full time by an Enterprise client as a Senior Voice of Customer Analyst – providing insights to their Fortune 500 clients.
This would not have been possible without Upwork.”
Sherri-Ann Wright,
Market Research Analyst and Customer
Experience (CX) Professional

Frequently asked questions

What is a contract-to-hire opportunity?
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
How can I find talent on Upwork interested in contract-to-hire opportunities?
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
How do contract-to-hire jobs work on Upwork?
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Can I hire talent full time if our contract was not for a job described as a contract-to-hire opportunity?
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
How much does it cost to convert a contract on Upwork?
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Can all clients post a job with contract-to-hire potential?
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
What happens after the contract conversion fee is paid?
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less
Read More
View Less

Find talent open to contract-to-hire opportunities

Post a contract-to-hire job