10 Tips to Turn a Temporary Job into a Permanent Role

Over the last 4 years, the use of temps has jumped more than 50 percent according to a study by American Staffing Association. This growth is only expected continue — 58% of employers expect to hire more part-time workers over the next 5 years. Companies are hiring temps in order to evaluate the individual on the job, which serves almost like an extended interview.

It might seem ironic, but taking on a temporary role is a very sensible stepping stone to secure a permanent role later. In addition to the mini pep talk you give yourself, you’ll need to take action as well. Here are ten tips and tricks to help you land your dream job.

SET GOALS
A good way to set reasonable, healthy goals is to write them down. Before committing to a full-time job, consider almost everything. How do you want to feel when you work? Where do you want to end up? What would you like a day in the office to be like? For every goal, set a deadline. This should keep you on track to turning that temporary job to turn into a permanent one.

HAVE THE RIGHT MINDSET
Even in a temporary job, you were brought on because your skills are needed. To keep your supervisors constantly intrigued by your work ethic, do more than just show up. Anticipate your coworker’s needs and they will have a reason to rely on you down the road, hopefully causing them to hesitate before letting you go and opening the opportunity for a permanent job.

GET TO KNOW THE COMPANY
The more you know, the more valuable you are. Knowledge of the company will come in handy in almost every aspect of your part-time role. Think of your temp role as an extended interview. What industry does the company compete in? What products or services do they offer? Who are their top competitors and why are they successful? These answers define the company you work for and knowing the ins and outs will give you a leg-up.

LEVERAGE YOUR FRESH PERSPECTIVE
Use your newness to your advantage by offering insights and ideas that your colleagues may have never heard of before. It should be easy for you to see ways to make processes more efficient and effective. Make a list to share with your boss during your review or when it makes the most sense. You may be surprised at their excitement when your idea is the route with which they take a project.

BE FLEXIBLE
Because you are the one coming onto their turf, they will need someone who can be flexible and easy to work with. Be open to new ideas and learn to take constructive criticism with a smile. If you go with the flow, it will be easier to learn more than just one way of doing things, which will later help you anticipate needs and secure your place on the team.

BE RELIABLE
Nothing else matters if this is taken lightly. The best way to keep this a priority is to remember these three key steps: show up on time, deliver quality work and communicate. Make sure that they know they can depend on you. This will go a long way when crisis hits and you are there to engage.

EXCEED EXPECTATIONS
Little things can make a big difference, and they will get you noticed especially in a larger office. Maintain good communication and ask questions, and it will eventually convince your supervisors that you are genuinely interested in the company. If there’s extra work, volunteer to do it. It will show that you have a solid work ethic and are readily able to accomplish tasks quickly.

ADAPT TO THE CULTURE
A company’s culture is one of the things it holds most dearly. Happy hours, luncheons and culture meetings are what bonds the employees together to create solid teamwork. To best blend in as a part-timer, see what’s acceptable and not acceptable, and catch on quickly. Even just abiding by an unwritten dress code can show you understand the workplace and give you an advantage when a permanent position opens.

BUILD SOLID RELATIONSHIPS
Reinforce the value you provide by spending time to truly getting to know the people you work with. Even if you choose not to stay with that company, your colleagues are the ones that will remember you and put in a good word for you with another company. Be visible, engaged and enthusiastic. You never know what a touch of happiness can bring to a coworker on a tough Monday morning!

BE PATIENT, BUT EXPRESS INTEREST
Somewhere down the road, you will decide if you want to stay in your position. This might seem straightforward, but a surprising number of people forget to have this conversation. By the same token, don’t ask for the job right away, but express interest early on, and you will surely be in the running once they experience your work ethic and dependability first hand.

It is not unlikely a temp job could turn into a full-time role. In fact, research shows 27% of temps receive offers for permanent positions – depending on the employee’s desire to remain with the company. As you accept a temporary position, keep in mind the above tips to help solidify your worth within the company.