Moving From Temporary Worker to Full-Time Employee Takes a Relationship and Time
There is a lot of advice out there on how to turn a temporary assignment into a full-time job. That’s great, because it is the goal for many people. However, there always seems to be something missing in the advice- the fact that this transition will not happen overnight. You will probably not report to work at 8am and be offered full-time employment at 5pm.
This transition to full-time employment requires a relationship, and relationships take time. Your goal should be more realistic – to be the worker that clients’ request over and over again. This will lead to full-time employment. Employers want to get to know you, and you should want to get to know the employers. This requires much more interaction than one day for 9 hours.
So here are 6 ways to focus on getting asked back:
Be On Time
I know that this is the #1 piece of advice, but it is reiterated over and over because it is important. Be on time, even if you are filling in for a sick employee for one day. Do everything you can to be on time, even if that means driving the route the night before. Being late -even for a one- day job – will not get you asked back for (perhaps) a longer assignment. So treat every assignment like you would a regular full time job and be on time.
Look Nice
This is the 2nd most common piece of advice out there, but again, it is important. Be sure you know what the dress code is for the workplace and comply. If you are told to wear jeans, do not wear a pair of jeans with holes in the knees….even if you bought them that way. Make sure that your clothing is not wrinkled. Women make sure to do your hair, wear appropriate amounts of make-up and look nice. Men, you need to also do your hair and look nice. Looks do matter. You need everyone to focus on your skills and personality…not your distracting or inappropriate clothing.
Be Nice
One of the best ways to guarantee a return offer is to mesh well with the other employees. Employers look for “intangible qualities” in anyone that they bring into the workplace, with two of the biggest ones being personality and ability to get along well with others.
Now, I am not suggesting that introverts need to become extroverts and chit-chat with others at the expense of job duties. Simply show that you are eager to get to work and be pleasant. The employer is not going to want to bring anyone back is who is grumpy and sullen and grunts at the other workers.
No Task is Too Menial
One of my very first temporary jobs was filing (yes, manually filing) for three days. The key was that I did what they asked me to do with enthusiasm and dedication, and I was asked back and eventually offered a job. Remember, every job in the company is important. Filing is important for auditing purposes.
So be a team player and do the job that needs to be done. Everyone has to start somewhere. Focus on the fact that you are building a relationship with this company, and relationships take time. If you do this job well, you will improve your chances of getting asked back to do a better job, and maybe again for an even better job.
Ask for More
If you finish your job duties early, do not sit there or get on your smartphone or flip through a magazine, etc. Let the person who is overseeing you know that you are done and ask if there is anything more you can do. Exceeding expectations impresses people. Sure, you may think that you are only getting paid to do “xyz”, and that should be that, but again let’s talk about the intangible qualities that employers look for. Another one of the big ones is being proactive. So, if you are able to do so, ask for more. You will impress the supervisor, and you will be top-of-mind for a return request.
Make Sure You Understand Each Task and Do It Right
Personally, I think this is the most important. Make sure you understand every step in every process you need to undertake. If you are not sure, ask if you can write the steps down. Do not say “OK” and get to work until you are absolutely sure you can perform the task perfectly. Doing your job incorrectly, or constantly having to ask over and over again for clarification is not the foundation for a good relationship.
By Christiane Soto, Snelling.com 
NOTE: A full-color, downloadable PDF is available.
