You’ve just landed a temporary position. First off, congratulations! Take a moment to savor the moment. You successfully articulated your skills and work ethic to obtain the position. So, what’s next?
Not all individuals in temporary positions are seeking full-time employment but for those who are, how do you turn “temp” into “permanent?” The approach can be quite simple, actually, assuming the employer has full-time positions to fill.
First, develop the right mindset by thinking of the assignment as a very long job interview. However, unlike like a formal interview, you’re not telling the employer what you would do, you’re showing them what you can do. It’s your time to put your words into action.
Second, be a model employee. That means be punctual, prepared, and low maintenance. It means adapting to the culture of the firm and being a strong communicator.
Third, do your job well. That is, execute the work you have been assigned accurately and timely. You will need to strike a balance between asking too many questions and asking too few. It’s smart to ask for help to avoid making costly and time-consuming mistakes but giving the impression of being helpless and asking countless questions shows a lack of problem-solving skills.
Fourth, assuming you’ve excelled at all of the above, make your intentions and career goals known to your staffing agency. Plant the seed that you’re interested in the position by communicating consistently throughout your assignment as to your interest in full-time employment and your compensation requirements. The agency is your advocate and they will confirm if an opportunity exists, provide insights, and help negotiate your salary. You’ll have to determine when the best time is to make the pitch – not until you’ve proven yourself but before the firm commences looking for external candidates.
So, congratulations on your new temporary position. Now get to work on making it permanent!
