5 Strategies to Turn Your Temporary Holiday Job into Permanent Employment

I have seen more help wanted signs around in the last few weeks than ever before. For a job seeker, this is the perfect time to land a position, get your foot in the door, and attempt to turn that temp job into something more long-term. According to the American Staffing Association, as many as 18% of temp jobs annually are converted to permanent positions. Work hard, communicate assertively and be resourceful and you may just have this same success.

More companies than ever are using the "try before you buy" approach to hiring. They use staffing agencies to evaluate their workforce before offering them full-time, permanent positions. Take advantage of your first few days on the job to create positive impressions with your employer. Use this temporary opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, competence and ability to be a productive member of the team. Here are some other key strategies you should employ.

• Make sure you are not another of the temporary employee masses. Establish clear expectations of your performance and know your priorities by meeting with your boss. Build rapport with your coworkers, try to fit into the team, learn their names and roles, and try to find some common ground with them. Learn as much as you can about the company culture.
• Don't think of yourself or act like "just a temp", treat this job the same way you would a permanent position. Find ways that you can contribute to the organization. Approach every task and assignment with a positive attitude. Find a way to exceed expectations and stand out from the crowd.
• If you finish your assigned tasks, ask what else you can do to help. Communicate your willingness and ability to take on extra responsibilities and ask to be cross-trained in other areas. Your goal is to make sure they can't stand the thought of losing you when your assignment is over. 
• Take time to understand why and how things are done. Ask questions, gain knowledge, and understand the organizations structure and policy. This way you can look for ways to add value and make suggestions that increase efficiency or cut costs.
• Clearly communicate your desire to become a permanent employee. Your employer may assume you are satisfied with being a temporary employee. Ensure your supervisors and the human resources team know your goals by conveying your wish to join their organization permanently.

Weigh a Contract Offer Carefully

As business and industry are experiencing increased volume and sales levels, more companies need to add people to support the additional work. However, many companies are responding by hiring contract resources instead of adding employees to their payrolls. This can be an effective way for employers to manage to the ebb and flow of business demands while, in most cases, delivering cost savings.

If you’re considering a contract offer, what are some things you should consider before you accept?

Know the Terms of Your Contract 
First, know who is responsible for managing the contract and your compensation. For example, contract positions are often filled through contract or temp agencies, not the employer.

Make sure you understand the specifics of your contract:  
What is your compensation? Will you be paid hourly or a flat project fee? If hourly, will you be paid for overtime?  What is the length of your contract and is there an end date? Will you or the agency be responsible for paying for your federal and state income taxes?

Potential Impact on Other Income Sources
Taking a contract position may impact your current or potential income sources. For example, if you’re receiving unemployment benefits, be sure to research your state’s benefits eligibility guidelines and earnings caps. Similarly, if you are receiving severance pay from a previous employer, determine whether accepting a contract job precludes you from continuing to receive severance pay. For the answer, read any documentation details you received from your previous employer or contact the company’s HR department.

Additionally, if you are mainly interested in securing a full-time, on-staff position, accepting a contract position temporarily impacts your availability to accept a staff position. In addition, it precludes you from dedicating much time, if any, to a continued job search.

A contract job can be rewarding and may even lead to an on-staff position, but before you accept a contract, understand all the details of the contract and how they impact you.

Four Strategies to Turn a Temporary Job into a Permanent Position

When faced with a difficult job market, many job seekers turn to alternative options such as internships or temporary positions. Some companies are well-known for only hiring workers through temp agencies during a specified trial period. Instead of viewing these positions as “just a job,” think of them as an opportunity to work your way into a company. Use these strategies to make a lasting impression.

CONFIDENCE
No matter the situation, one of your most important tools is confidence in your ability to make a difference and add benefit to your employer. As someone who once hired seasonal temp workers and often decided to hire a few after the holidays, I can tell you that the employees who believed in themselves and their ability to do the job were the ones that stood out from the crowd.

No matter how nervous you may be, do your best to remain calm and in control of those nerves. I truly believe that confidence can be faked. However, when you are faking confidence – often without even realizing – you begin to actually have that confidence in yourself.

COMPETENCE
In order to truly be of benefit to your employer, you must learn the job in order to add value as quickly as possible. Pay special attention in training classes, make that extra effort and find yourself a mentor. Get to know an experienced employee who knows the ropes and is willing to teach you what they know. If you gain enough knowledge, you can easily demonstrate your value because you don’t need training as they would if they hired someone new.

ATTITUDE
The attitude with which you approach your temporary job responsibilities is essential to the impression you will form with your boss. If you are unpleasant and impatient with customers or co-workers, your boss will assume that is the way you will interact if hired permanently. Put your best foot – and attitude – forward every day of your job, no matter how busy it gets or how grumpy the customers may be.

In order to gain a full-time, permanent position you may have to be willing to take a part-time job with few hours and work your way up. I once worked for a director who began her career with the company as seasonal holiday help 15 years prior. Patience and a positive attitude go a long way.

COMMUNICATION
Does your boss know that you are interested in a permanent position? Don’t assume they know your intentions. If you are truly interested in a permanent position, then make sure you clearly communicate your interests right from the start. You may not be hired at the end of the season, but before you leave the job be sure to tell the manager you want to work with them again and ask them to keep you in mind if something opens up in the future. Keep those lines of communication open so they don’t forget you when they need to hire again.