Turn that Temp Job Into A Permanent Job
Now is the perfect time to take on that temporary position.
These days with the volatility and uncertainty in the economy, many companies are unsure whether to hire a permanent employee, but they may have an increase in work load, their existing internal staff are already working overtime hours, so often the result is the need for short-term workers.
Temp jobs can offer more flexibility to employers, especially in times of great uncertainty. Other reasons can be that companies want to hire temporary employees because they want to ‘try before they buy’, otherwise known as temps, contract workers, consultants or freelancers. This isn’t a guarantee these positions will result into permanent jobs, but it can be possible if you play your cards right.
If you are seeking work, a temporary position can sometimes be the best way to get employed permanently. Being employed temporarily can give you the opportunity to be on the inside and ultimately gives you an advantage over external candidates when applying for permanent jobs.
With this economic uncertainty, employers are more specific than ever about finding the right match for a job (ie Joe Bloggs candidate is a perfect match both in skills and cultural fit), many are taking the approach of hiring a potential employee on a temporary basis in order to evaluate the individual on the job. You could say that this period serves as an extended job interview.
What’s the good news? The good news is, more and more of these opportunities are expected to pop up.
More employers expect to hire more part-time, temporary or contract workers over the coming years. In this economy, temporary workers are especially appealing to employers vs the costs associated with hiring full-time employees. With this in mind, employers aren’t the only ones benefitting from temp jobs.
A temporary job can be a great way to dip your toes in the water and find out what it would be like to work within that organisation, the type of work you’d be doing, what the company culture is like and the people you’d be working with. You could say it’s a two-way street, as employers can see how you perform and how you fit in within their organsiation. I know of people who have had jobs created for them as a result of the impact they have made while working in a temp job.
In this day and age, we’re seeing more temporary jobs turn into permanent positions at a rate higher than we’ve seen in previous years. Employers are ready and willing to consider hiring temporary staff, and we’re seeing a majority of them opt to hire this way to make sure they’re making the best choice possible.
That means, more people are securing permanent jobs via temporary positions, and it's worth relating this to candidates when interviewing stating that "it is indeed an effective backdoor way to get hired".
How do you, as a temporary employee, improve your chances of becoming a permanent employee? That’s simple. Performance and cultural fit.
Want to turn your temporary job into a full-time job?
Be 100% reliable. “Fail here, nothing else matters!” Show up on time, deliver quality work and communicate with your colleagues.
Find out if permanent employment is even a possibility. Talk with your Employment Consultant first! Before taking a temporary position, ask about their policy towards hiring temporary employees via agencies.
Find out what it will take to get an offer. Make sure you will be considered when they are ready to fill permanent positions.
Let people of influence know from the beginning that you could possibly be interested in working full-time for the company.
Be in the zone, right mindset, show eagerness. Treat the opportunity as a full-time job. That means go the extra mile. Arrive early and be as flexible as you can with your hours. Show commitment, enthusiasm and flexibility.
Take a genuine interest in the job. If you want to get hired, you better go that extra mile. Be consistent, give great service, make them feel they can’t do without you. Offer ideas, be proactive. Over the years we as Recruiters have heard many people say, ‘I’m just a temp and don’t treat their opportunity seriously.
Show value. Whatever industry your job is in, there is always a way to prove your value. Whether its through great customer service, identifying new opportunities or helping others around you. When the time comes for a review, you’ll have proof that you’ve been a valuable asset to the team.
Know the company. Research the organisation you are working for, understand its history, and where it’s headed. This way you could potentially identify a gap in the company that you could fill.”
Build relationships, get involved. Reinforce the value you provide and try to get to know the leaders on the inside who make the hiring decisions. Make a point to shake hands and introduce yourself to others. Be seen. Make friends.
Creat relationships with your co-workers so they really get to know you, even if you are only supposed to be there a short time. It’s your work colleagues that have the greatest potential to spread the word about the ‘great temp’ in their division and aid you in getting the job you want.
Maintain open communication. Keep lines of communication open with all parties involved in your job. Ask questions as necessary, understand your job and what is expected so you can perform your duties to the best of your ability. And of course, answer questions. Give input when it’s required. However, NEVER just make assumptions when you’re uncertain, ask the question.
Be Adaptable. Observe your surroundings, what’s acceptable or not acceptable in the environment before acting.
Emphasize your soft skills. This means you should be a good team player and get along with everyone, reinforce good interpersonal skills, enthusiasm and motivation. Technical skills are in demand and are important, but increasingly employers need a combination of good technical skills and soft skills that show you can be a good communicator and a potential leader.
Don’t be too pushy, be patient. Don’t come across as overly aggressive in selling yourself. “There’s a fine line between being confident and direct vs being pushy and aggressive.
Be Professional. Pay attention to how you dress, look smart and act smart, be professional at all times. Blending into the work environment, and being a person that is friendly and approachable, provides great visibility and opportunity to showcase your work and secure additional projects.
And Remember. Avoid that mindset of thinking you’re just a ‘temp’. You were brought on because your skills are required and you now have the perfect opportunity to showcase the quality of the work you produce and share your enthusiasm towards full-time employment. When you think and feel like you’re part of the company, it has the potential to change everything.
