From Temp to Permanent: 6 Strategies to Turn Your Temporary Job into a Full-Time Career

Temp roles may not always be as inviting as permanent roles. However, many workers use temporary employment as a stepping stone to permanent positions. You can do the same! To achieve this, be strategic in your approach and create a game plan from the beginning. Creating an excellent impression will be crucial to your success. In this article, we’ll discuss five ways to make a strong impression and seven steps to negotiate your full-time offer.  

The Benefits of a Temp-to-Perm Job 

Temporary positions offer unique advantages that complement traditional permanent roles, providing valuable opportunities for many professionals seeking flexibility and diverse career experiences.  

• Temporary positions can be ideal if you’re engaging in other activities—pursuing a postgraduate degree, planning to move abroad or travel, taking a break, or caring for a loved one. 
• It also allows job seekers to test a company, industry, or role before committing to a permanent job. This could benefit you if you’re unsure of your career path.  
• Temp roles can also fill employment gaps in your resume. Instead of idling, you can work temporarily until you find a more stable role. 
• These roles are also strategic for businesses. Due to uncertainty, fluctuating market demands, skills gaps, and the seasonality of certain industries, many companies opt to open temporary positions.  

As a staffing agency, we help companies connect to skilled workers open for temp contracts. Temp-to-perm positions, one of the many employment arrangements staffing agencies offer, allow temp workers access to permanent work while giving companies the time to evaluate a new hire. If an employee does a great job, he or she could be hired permanently. This is why temp jobs are good opportunities to secure full-time roles. 

6 Ways to Make a Strong Impression as a Temp Worker 

Of course, temp-to-perm hiring is not easy to come by. As a professional, you have to prove yourself before gaining access to a full-time position. The key will be your performance and how much you can impact the organization. Here’s how to make that strong impression. 

1. Perform your tasks effectively.

Even if you’re not a direct hire, always strive to complete your work and responsibilities diligently. Employers will still prefer reliable workers who do an excellent job. Not only does this make you a valuable worker, but it also helps build trust among your supervisors and coworkers.  

Training is usually shorter for temp roles due to their urgency. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to confirm with your manager or teammates. Be active and show initiative in the role. If you finish work fast, consider asking for more work. This will show that you’re efficient at your job and that you’re willing to contribute more to the organization. 

2. Maintain a positive attitude and be professional.

Most employees would prefer a permanent position, regardless of their situation. It’s more stable, has benefits, and provides job security, career growth opportunities, and a steady income. 

Working as a temp may make you feel unmotivated and frustrated—but this shouldn’t be visible to your coworkers. Not only would it spread negativity in the office, but it can also affect your chances of becoming a full-time employee. 

Instead, consider this an opportunity to gain access to a better role. Focus on learning new skills, forming relationships with coworkers, impressing your employer, and strengthening your resume. Staying positive, productive, and efficient will increase your chances of getting a permanent role. 

Read more: Resume Dos & Don’ts 

3. Present your value to the company.

There are many ways you can offer assistance and value to the company. Grab any chance to show what you can do. Don’t overlook these opportunities to demonstrate your impact: 

Build a relationship with your manager. 

Treat your work like it’s full-time. Don’t just wait for tasks to come by. Instead, directly ask for areas to which you can contribute. This will impress your manager and position you as a hard-working individual. 

Be generous with time. 

Be sure to arrive on time and finish your day as scheduled. If you can, offer overtime to help your team, especially during tight deadlines. This approach works well, as long as you’re able to keep things in balance and protect your personal time. The key is to show up prepared and ready to contribute to the organization. 

Approach your coworkers. 

Most people won’t ask for help until they really need it. Don’t wait to be approached. Approach your teammates first and ask if they need a hand with their tasks. It will also be very effective if you know your team and their responsibilities. This way, you’ll be prepared to help before someone asks. 

4. Learn about the entire organization.

Learning about the organization is more than just reading about the company’s history or being familiar with the company’s structure. It’s about extending what you know and creating meaningful contributions. By understanding the company’s overall goals and immersing yourself in the office culture, you’ll communicate that you’re committed and interested in your time with the organization. 

Read about how The Job Center incentivizes temporary employees: Our Commitment to Our Candidates 

5. Connect with your colleagues.

Aside from offering work assistance, take the time to develop genuine friendships among your teammates. Show leadership in critical times and be part of the team despite being a temp worker. 

Attend company gatherings, socialize, and engage with your team. Show your dedication through the personal connections you make. Additionally, these networks may provide access to other full-time jobs you might want to pursue. Ultimately, it will benefit your career even if a permanent position doesn’t open immediately. 

6. Express your interest in permanent work.

While companies often endorse open positions internally, this may not always be the case. Communicate your intentions of transferring to a full-time position. Ask your manager or go directly to the HR team. They may know of positions that will open soon. 

However, don’t be pushy. Wait patiently, especially if the company regularly posts internal openings. The goal is to let your teammates, managers, and hiring teams know from the beginning that you eventually intend to pursue permanent work. 

Don’t forget to visit the company’s website for open positions. Stay in the loop by checking the job list regularly—you never know when the perfect role will pop up! 

7 Steps to Negotiate a Full-Time Offer 

Once you’ve successfully proven your value in the organization, it’s time to negotiate your position. Here’s how you can approach the conversation: 

1. Assess your performance and contributions.

Before initiating the discussion, reflect on your achievements during your temp role. Have you exceeded expectations, improved processes, or taken additional responsibilities? Highlight examples of your contributions to strengthen your position. 

2. Express your interest early.

As we have mentioned, your managers should know about your intentions. Don’t wait until your contract is about to end. This allows HR and hiring managers to consider you before hiring external candidates. 

3. Research salary and benefits.

Before negotiating, research industry salary benchmarks and consider factors like experience, location, tenure, and internal salary offers. This will give you a better overview of the possible roles and help you manage expectations. 

4. Choose the right time to talk.

Timing is key. Schedule a meeting with your manager or HR when they’re not busy. Performance reviews or project completions are great moments to discuss transition. 

5. Highlight your value and commitment.

Emphasize your accomplishments and how you’ve contributed to the company’s success in the previous months. Show enthusiasm about staying with the organization and how you can continue adding value in a full-time role. 

6. Be open to negotiation.

Companies may not always offer what you want right away. So, be flexible and willing to discuss terms like salary, benefits, and other perks. If you can’t transfer immediately, ask for a timeline and what steps you need to take to get there. 

7. Prepare a backup plan.

In case a full-time role isn’t available, use the time with your manager to gather feedback on what you can improve. Keep networking and exploring other opportunities while staying professional and open to future positions within the company. 

Read more: The 8 Emotional Stages of the Job Search 

Ready to explore a temporary contract with The Job Center? 

The Job Center specializes in placing skilled candidates in light industrial fields. Whether you’re looking for permanent, temporary, or temp-to-hire positions, our wide range of connections and expert teams can help you land a job. 

Your success is our priority. Reach out today or download our app—we’ll help you take the next step in your career!