How to make a temp job permanent by adapting to corporate culture.
With the tough job market, many of us have had to take temporary jobs. Temping is a great way to get a foot in the door with a company and make a little bit of money while still continuing your job search.
It used to be that turning a temporary job into a permanent one was fairly easy. Companies often used temp agencies as a way to try out employees before hiring them for permanent positions. These days however, many employers are using temporary workers as a way to cut corners while still maintaining high productivity. They view it as a way to take on more staff without the worry of having to lay off employees if the economy worsens. This makes it tough to turn a temporary assignment into a permanent one.
While it is more difficult, it isn't impossible. Even though the conversion rate from temp to permanent has been lower over the past few years, many people have still been able to make the transition.
The key is to know what you want and do your best to stand out in your temporary assignment. Do your job well and look for ways to make yourself valuable to the company.
Another way that can help you make the transition is by adapting to the corporate culture of your new workplace. According to the Wall Street Journal, many people who have made the switch have done so by making themselves visible in the office. The goal is to act like a permanent employee and a part of the team. This way, your co-workers will begin to think of you as a colleague and as someone who is just a part of the office.
Adapting and assimilating into the office culture can be tricky. Participate in workplace functions and volunteer to help with setting up for office parties and other events. You can even volunteer to participate in company supported or sponsored events like fundraisers, charity events and even the company's softball team. By getting involved with your co-workers in other, more casual settings, they get the chance to get to know you as a person and see you as a valuable member of their team.
The most important thing is to try to avoid asking about becoming a full-time employee. Instead, the goal is to act as though you already were and let the rest happen on its own. Do the best work you can and be a fast study. Pay attention and watch what the best employees do and do it too. This way, when your contract is up, your boss won't be able to imagine you not working there.
Have you taken a temporary assignment? Did you manage to turn it into full-time employment? Please feel free to share your tips and suggestions in the comments.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for ManufacturingWorkersBlog. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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