Permanent vs contract hiring.
The difference, and why Mindpool USA only does permanent.
In permanent hiring the person becomes a full-time W-2 employee of the company, with benefits, equity eligibility, and long-term ownership of their work. In contract hiring they are employed by an agency or work as a 1099 contractor for a fixed term. Mindpool USA places permanent employees only.
How they differ
The employment relationship changes almost everything downstream: cost structure, retention incentives, IP ownership, security clearance eligibility, and how deeply someone invests in a multi-year roadmap.
- Employment: W-2 employee of your company vs agency-employed or 1099
- Cost: one-off placement fee vs ongoing hourly margin
- Retention: equity and career path vs fixed end date
- IP and clearances: usually cleaner under direct employment
- Depth: permanent hires own roadmaps; contractors deliver scopes
Why we chose permanent only
Deep-tech roadmaps run for years. Silicon tapeouts, grid interconnection, and model-infrastructure programmes all reward continuity, so we built the firm around retention economics rather than utilisation. We do not offer contract, temp-to-hire, or contingent staffing.
Frequently asked
Is permanent hiring more expensive than contract?
Permanent hiring carries a one-off placement fee, while contract carries an ongoing hourly margin. Over engagements longer than a few months, permanent is usually the lower total cost.
Does Mindpool USA offer contract staffing?
No. Mindpool USA is a permanent executive and professional search firm and places full-time, direct-hire employees only.