Career Advice

Former recruitment agency experts answer employment questions, candidly suggesting how to negotiate your salary, find a really good job, handle phone interviews, and more.

Sage advice like this is priceless.

Turning a Temporary Job Into a Permanent One


When you are unemployed and your job search lasts longer than you expected, you may try temporary work. Not only is temping a great way to earn some extra money, a temp job may also lead to a permanent job further down the road. But turning a temporary job into a permanent one isn't easy.

There's No Such Thing as 'Just a Temp':
Some temporary workers treat their jobs as if the work is somehow different from permanent work which is a big mistake if you want to land a permanent job at that company. If you want to join the company on a permanent basis, you need to act as if you already are a permanent employee. So always perform at the best of your abilities.

You Are What You Wear:
Just as no one should be able to guess from the quality of your work that you're a temporary worker, your appearance shouldn't give you away either.

It's tempting for temp workers to think they can dress more casually since they sometimes feel that less is expected of them. Know what the company's standard dress code is before you start your job and always adhere to the dress code, even when you feel that others may not be paying attention to your attire. You should always dress to the level of job you are aspiring to next.

Get People to Know You:
It's crucial that you network and meet as many people as possible. Make your face known by being friendly and sociable. Don't be intimidated to speak to those who are permanent staff since after all, these may be your future permanent coworkers.

There's a bonus in forging relationships with permanent workers: If you start meeting people, not only will you feel more comfortable at work, you may also make a friend who has some clout to help bring you on permanently.

Don't Live by the Clock:
If you want to be considered for a permanent job, you should be willing to do a bit of extra work to prove it.

Tip: Before you leave at the end of the day, ask your supervisor if they have everything they need. This will show you're willing to stay a bit longer to get the job done.