Companies have many reasons for hiring temporary staff. They could be looking to fill a seasonal need, filling the position of someone who is on medical leave, filling the position while looking for someone to fill it full-time, etc. Sometimes, companies offer temp-to-hire positions, in which an individual is hired for a temporary period, and at the end of that period the employee will either be hired full-time or the contract will end.
According to The Balance, a company dedicated to financial empowerment, there are ways to ensure a temp job turns into a permanent one whether it be at the end of the contract or sometime in the future when there is a job opening.
In “How to Make a Temp-to-Hire Job Permanent,” Alison Doyle writes that temp jobs often serve as extended interviews. “The employer can observe the employee and decide whether she is a good fit for the company, and the employee can also assess whether she would want to work at the company permanently,” Doyle writes. While a lot of job seekers lose interest after reading that a job is a temporary one, Doyle suggests they give these temp jobs more thought, as they are gaining popularity in a variety of industries and could potentially turn into full-time positions.
Listed below are six tips Doyle gives for making a lasting impression that could turn a temporary job into a permanent one.
- Perform like it’s a permanent job. “Mindset is everything in a temporary job. If you perform like you know you will only be there for a short while, you will only be there for a short while,” she writes. “From day one, you want to treat the job like it’s a permanent one; that means always putting your best foot forward. Be sure to come to work on time (if not a little early), and stay as late as you need to complete your assignments with care. Going above and beyond with each assignment will demonstrate your commitment to and enthusiasm for the job.”
- Get to know the company. “Some employers complain that temp-to-hire workers do not take the time to learn anything about the company,” Doyle writes. “Learn as much as you can about the company to demonstrate your investment in the job. Know your company’s history, its earning reports, its key clients, and its culture and mission. Demonstrating a concern for the future of the company will let your employer know you are in it for the long haul.”
- Learn as much as you can. “Demonstrate to your employer that you are eager to learn, and can learn quickly. Even if there is a task or skill that is only peripherally related to your position, you should take the time to learn it. This will show that you are interested in all aspects of the company,” she writes. “Of course, you should also never be afraid to ask questions. It is more important that you ask a question and learn something correctly than keep silent and get something wrong.”
- Build relationships.“Get to know your coworkers immediately; chat with them during breaks or lunch to develop relationships. Make sure your coworkers can see your strong work ethic; when you can, offer to help your co-workers with projects,” Doyle writes. “If you befriend your coworkers and convey to them your skills, it is more likely that they will fight for you to remain at the company permanently. Even if you are not hired permanently, you will have widened your professional network, and can potentially use your coworkers for referrals.”
- Take initiative. “Be on the lookout for ways to go above and beyond. If you finish a task ahead of time, ask if there is something else you can do (or, better yet, come up with a task that you know would be useful, and offer to do it),” she writes. “Before leaving for the day, ask your boss if she has everything she needs for the day. These little things will demonstrate your value as an employee.”
- Be patient. “It will be hard to wait to find out if you will be offered the permanent position or not. However, you do not want to ask your boss whether or not you will be hired right away. Be patient; convey your interest in the job and company through your work ethic,” Doyle writes. “Towards the end of the temporary period (most likely there will be a formal final interview in which you and your boss discuss your future at the company) convey your interest in the position and remind your boss of the ways in which you have been an asset to the company.”
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