Turning Temp Work Into A Permanent Job

Author: Jojo Varona

Temping is a great way to earn some money while you are in between jobs, while going  to school and  if  you have other commitments. It is also a great way to find out how different companies and industries work that can sometimes lead to full-time employment. 

In the 27+ years that I have been at The Job Shop, I have seen many candidates who started temping (and doing excellent work) who’ve gotten noticed by their supervisors. Candidates  who do good work are often requested back, their assignments extended or have gotten hired for full-time work with the company they are temping.   

Here are a few tips for how to make the most of any temporary assignment.

Be on-time and professional.

It seems simple, right? But this applies to any job, temp or not.

• Arrive on time or better yet, arrive a few minutes early and get situated at your desk before your time begins. 

• Adhere to the office dress code.

• Submit your timesheet on time. Make sure that you correctly input your time in and time out and mark on the timesheet when you leave for your scheduled breaks.   

• Dress professionally and treat the temp position like it’s your full-time job.   

Be courteous and friendly.

Smile often and be on good terms with everyone you meet. Oftentimes temps feel they get treated differently from full-time workers or they feel that they are not treated as part of the team. The best way to deal with this is to be friendly, do a great job , and be reliable to whoever is working with you.

Be Flexible.

Don’t say, “That isn’t in my job description”. If you finish a task early, ask for more. Or ask if there is anything else that needs to get done. Every new duty you take on makes you more indispensable. It is also a great way for you to learn new skills, and sometimes meet even more people in the office, who might be of great help to you in the future.

Meet New People.

Meeting new people is always helpful when you are looking for work. This is a great way to build your network.  The more people on your network, the more connections you have with other companies and other opportunities. While you are in your assignment, every colleague or supervisor is someone who can potentially refer you to another temp job or a full-time role.  

Acquire new skills.

Take the opportunity to learn new skills while you are in your temp assignment that will make you more marketable in your next position. There may be new software that you have not used before or a new skill to process. Already knowing skills and software necessary will put you in a much better place to be hired.

Communicate to your agency

This is key. Give us feedback on the assignment. Do not contact the client directly on your own. We have relationships with the hiring managers and contacting them on your own can complicate the process. Let us know how you like the job and communicate to us that you would like to be considered for any long-term roles in the company. The more we know what is going on with you and the assignment, the more we can help.  

Keep these tips in mind on your next temp job and you will be one step closer to meeting your employment goals.