Contract-to-hire 1099 opportunities?

I have had a few recruiters from staffing firms reach out recently who said yes, they can do 1099.

BUT, the caveat is that they work on a "contract-to-hire" model.

The idea is that their client, the "prime" would bring you on as a 1099 to evaluate you, and then if they want to keep you, bring you on as a W2 employee. The staffing firm gets a fee for bringing you on.

I haven't explored this too deeply but I'd be inclined to turn these down because I have no intention of becoming a W2 employee.

That being said, if I were interested, here's how I'd play it:

• Negotiate a normal 1099 rate, one that you'd be happy with and not just the equivalent of a salary
• Do a phenomenal job
• Keep looking for other 1099 gigs in the meantime
• When the contract period is up and the prime makes you a W2 offer, decline and say you'd stay on as a 1099 only

At that point you've proven your value so you have more leverage, and you might even have a few alternate 1099 projects to pursue in the meantime.

Want the full playbook? Check out Going 1099.