Turn a Seasonal Job into a Lasting Career Opportunity
Seasonal warehouse jobs often get dismissed as temporary gigs with no future, but that’s a massive misconception. These positions are actually launching pads that many employers use to evaluate professionals before offering permanent positions.
The challenge is that you’re not the only one who sees this opportunity. Standing out in a sea of temporary hires requires more than the bare minimum. It demands intentional effort to demonstrate you’re someone worth keeping around.
This article shares practical tips to help you successfully transition from a seasonal hire into a valued permanent employee.
A Balanced Associate: The Value of Soft and Hard Skills
Becoming a standout warehouse associate isn’t just about physical capability or technical know-how. The employees who get offered permanent positions consistently demonstrate a balanced combination of hard skills that let them do the work effectively and soft skills that make them reliable team members managers want to keep around.
Why both skill types matter equally:
- Hard skills get you hired, but soft skills determine who stays. Knowing how to operate equipment and follow safety procedures qualifies you for the job, but soft skills make the difference when seasonal positions end.
- Technical competence without professionalism creates problems. You might be the fastest picker or most skilled forklift operator, but if you’re difficult to work with or ignore instructions, managers will usually choose someone slightly less skilled who is pleasant and dependable.
- Soft skills amplify the impact of your technical abilities. Research shows that soft skills are foundational to high performers.2 For example, strong communication means you can catch and fix problems before they escalate. Meanwhile, good teamwork means the entire shift runs more smoothly.
Read TJC news: Best Places to Work: The Job Center and Riley Decker’s People-First Culture
5 Skills to Enhance
Research shows that 79% of employers who hire for seasonal positions consider keeping some of those workers for permanent roles.3 With this in mind, it’s important to develop specific skills that can dramatically increase your chances for permanent career opportunities.
1. Consistency in showing up and performing reliably.
Nothing matters more than reliability. Employers notice who shows up on time every day, works steadily throughout the shift, and doesn’t create drama or excuses. This consistency signals that you’re someone they can depend on when things get busy or challenging.
Build this skill by treating your seasonal job as seriously as a permanent position. Set multiple alarms so you’re never late, and show up ready to work—not dragging in unprepared or distracted.
2. Strong work ethic demonstrated through initiative and effort.
Work ethic shows in how you approach tasks when nobody’s watching closely. Do you look for productive work when you finish an assignment, or do you stand around waiting for someone to tell you what to do next? Strong work ethic means giving genuine effort consistently rather than just doing enough to avoid getting into trouble.
Enhance this by taking pride in doing quality work regardless of whether anyone notices. Ask for additional tasks when you finish early. Help teammates who are struggling without being asked. This proactive approach gets noticed and remembered when permanent positions become available.
3. Teamwork and collaboration.
Warehouse operations succeed or fail based on team coordination. Standout employees understand their role within the larger operation and actively support teammates rather than focusing only on their own tasks.
Develop stronger teamwork skills by paying attention to how your actions affect others. Offer assistance when you have the capacity to do so, and accept help graciously when you need it. It’s important to work as part of the team even if you hold a temporary position.
4. Adaptability when facing changing priorities.
Warehouse environments rarely go exactly as planned. Shipments arrive late, equipment breaks down, orders change, and priorities shift constantly. Workers who stay calm and adjust quickly become incredibly valuable because they don’t add to the chaos with complaints or resistance.
Build adaptability by accepting that change is normal. When priorities shift, don’t be shy to ask clarifying questions about the new expectations. It’s also important to focus on solution rather than blame when faced with unexpected problems.
5. Safety consciousness.
Safety violations can end your seasonal position immediately, and they will close the door to permanent hiring opportunities. Standout associates actively look out for hazards and speak up about unsafe conditions. They also follow proper techniques and procedures.
Strengthen safety consciousness by understanding that rules exist to protect you and your coworkers. Supervisors tend to notice those who take safety seriously—as well as those who cut corners.
Read more: Warehouse Resume Secrets: What Hiring Managers in Logistics Look for in a Candidate
Build your warehouse career with The Job Center.
Turning a seasonal position into a lasting career demands strategic development of your skills along with access to the right opportunities. With The Job Center as your staffing partner, you can gain access to a vast network of companies who need your skills.
References
- Maurer, Roy. “Temp-to-Perm Hiring Brings Benefits When Done Right.” SHRM, 15 Nov. 2022, www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/talent-acquisition/temp-to-perm-hiring-brings-benefits-done-right.
- Nam, Evelyn. “The Power of Soft Skills: Our Favorite Reads.” Harvard Business Review, 26 May 2023, hbr.org/2023/05/the-power-of-soft-skills-our-favorite-reads
- “79% of Employers Consider Summer Hires for Permanent Positions.” CareerBuilder, 25 Jun. 2024, resources.careerbuilder.com/employer-blog/summer-hires-for-permanent-positions.
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Kendall Gerdeman
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