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Move From Temp To Hire

When considering your job search options, you might choose to work with third-party recruiters and staffing firms. There are four main ways to work with recruiters and staffing firms: contract, temporary, temporary-to-hire and direct hire. Each option has its pros and cons, and some can even be combined during a job search. I would advise that you ask yourself which option or combination of options might work best for you and then factor that into your strategy.

Below are summaries of each option along with their pros and cons:

Contract:
Contract employment is usually described as a long-term, project-based job during which you use professional-level skills. Projects can be short term or long term, and you are either self employed as a consultant or employed/paid by a third-party firm.

Why do it? 
  1. Contract jobs usually offer excellent wages.
  2. Contract jobs offer freedom and variety to move from place to place, company to company, and/or project to project, adding skills and interest to your career.

The flipside 
  1. Theres a certain lack of stability, so the contractors lifestyle may be better suited to a risk-taker type of personality.
  2. It is uncommon for contractors to be offered benefits, so costs may offset the relatively higher wages if you plan to secure self-funded benefits.


Temporary: 
Temporary assignments can vary in length - from a day or two (e.g. while an employee is out sick, is out training, etc.) to several months (e.g. while an employee is on medical leave). Often, but not always, temporary assignments entail duties requiring lighter skills, especially the short-term ones. Many people refer to temporary jobs as "transitional" jobs, but Ive met a few professional temporary employees over the years. These types of workers usually have other interests such as acting and music, so being non-committed to a traditional employer suits them.

Why do it? 
Temporary jobs fill the gap in between employment and can help provide some income when you need it.
You can keep your skills up-to-date and just maybe even add new ones.
Temporary assignments can sometimes open doors. Through networking with those you encounter on assignments, you might hear about a great job opening inside or outside the company.
Temporary work can be used as a path of exploration into new industries and new career possibilities, especially if youre fresh out of school or have just moved into town.

The flipside 
  1. It does take a commitment of time away from a full-time job search, so you might want to use temporary work as a last resource.
  2. Sometimes assignments end abruptly, and this can be disconcerting to a "Steady Eddie" type personality - someone who likes to know where the work is coming from tomorrow.
  3. Wages are often lower because the tasks tend to be entry-level.
  4. If you are receiving unemployment benefits, you will want to find out what your state agencys rules are about temporary employment income, and you will need to find out how the staffing firm reports information about your employment status to your state agency.


Temporary-to-Hire:
The temporary-to-hire option allows a company and a job candidate to go through a third-party during a designated assessment period. Sometimes the trial period is an economic choice for the company, but more often the trial is used to be sure the employer/employee match is a good one before a commitment to hire and acceptance of employment is finalized.

Why do it? 
  1. While they are evaluating you, you can be evaluating them. Do they offer what you want? Do they meet your top priorities as an employer?
  2. If the staffing firm has a strong relationship with the hiring company, they should be able to give you insight and feedback during the selection and hiring process. Should things not work out, technically you would still be employed by the staffing firm and wouldnt have to show a possible short-term disaster on your resume.

The flipside 
  1. Check out the benefits situation - does the staffing firm offer anything while you are their payroll? Also, when you are hired by the company, how long do you have to wait to qualify for their benefits? The time youre temporary probably wont count toward that period.
  2. Even though many temporary-to-hire positions start out as temporary and evolve to temporary-to-hire status, most temporary-to-hire jobs requires a fresh interview process. Sometimes, because of the possibility of a trail period, both you and the hiring manager might chance a less thorough interview and selection process. This increases the risk factor of a mismatch.
  3. Be clear about this point - are you expected to stop your job search and will the employer stop their candidate search when you start working for them during the trial period?


Direct Hire: 
Executive search firms, third-party recruiters and most staffing firms offer the option of presenting you for regular positions with their clients. It is called direct hire because the hiring company does not request that you go though the payroll of a third party but, rather, hires you directly as staff. Most recruiters are paid on a contingency basis - when they make the placement, they are paid - while others work on a retainer basis. Either way, their primary commitment is to the company who has engaged them for the search. However, if you spend the time to develop this relationship, you might just find that a seasoned recruiter can become a long-term advocate and coach for you - someone who can be there as your career develops and its time to make further job advancements.

Why do it? 
  1. A good recruiter will represent you and "sell" your candidacy well and will have both a trained as well as innate sense of matching you to available opportunities. He or she will also likely have the edge of an established relationship with the hiring authority, allowing him or her to be able to persuade the hiring company to interview you better than your cover letter ever could.
  2. Since theres a good chance a recruiter will know his or her client well, youll receive extra guidance you wouldnt otherwise have interviewing on your own. He or she should give you insight to the company culture, tell you about the hiring managers interview style, and assist with salary negotiation.

The flipside 
  1. Third-party involvement can be frustrating at times when the company uses the recruiter as a buffer to protect themselves from direct contact. Some go-getter type personalities might find it tedious to work through someone else.
  2. Clarify your obligation to go through the third party for future employment by the hiring company because most recruiters and firms have contractual terms governing this area. You might not be able to be hired directly without the third party involvement for a period of time after having already been presented by a third party to that company.


Temporary work is a good way to earn cash and can lead to a permanent position if you play your cards right.

For turning a temporary position into a permanent one follow there steps:

1. Perform as a permanent 
2. Burn the midnight oil 
3. Dress to impress 
4. Advertise yourself 
5. Show company concern 
6. Train yourself constantly 


1. PERFORM AS A PERMANENT 
Whether you are a temp or a full-time employee, you get paid for one reason and one reason alone: to get work done. Every employee is responsible for doing his/her assignments correctly and on time. Temporary workers often operate under the misconception that their work is different from the work of a permanent employee.
Temps that give every job their best effort, impress companies the most. If you hope to become a permanent employee, then you should act like you already are one. The quality of your work must be just as good, if not better, than everyone elses.


2. BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL 
A temp job usually means an 8 to 5 workday, but living by the clock wont impress your supervisor. If you want to land a permanent position, you must exhibit a willingness to work. A little overtime can say a lot about your diligence.

Time is money, so make these time issues a priority:

  1. Never come in late or leave early, even if it is just by a few minutes. A supervisor will assume any habits you have as a temp would continue after becoming permanent.
  2. Before leaving for the day, check that your boss has everything he/she needs. This shows that you are willing to put in the extra time and effort to get things done.


3. DRESS TO IMPRESS 
The quality of a temps work should be no different from that of a full-time employee. Similarly, the appearance of a temp should be no different from a full-time employees either. Somehow, people begin to believe that a temporary position is a license to dress down. 

If you want to be considered a professional, dress the part:

  1. Always ask what the office dress code is before starting.
  2. Never stray away from the dress code, even if you think nobody pays attention to your appearance.


4. ADVERTISE YOURSELF
As you fight for that permanent position, the best advantage is to have people on your side. People in temporary positions often have the "get in, get out, dont make a sound" attitude. Thats fine if you are a cat burglar, not if you are trying to get a job. 

Your chance of moving into a permanent position depends on your chemistry with co-workers:

  1. Get to know as many people as possible, even outside of the deptartment. Make your  name, face, and good attitude recognizable to everyone you can.
  2. Dont be afraid to discuss work or small talk with full-time employees. You need to be comfortable with your co-workers.
  3. Make good friends. When it comes time to fill a permanent position, it doesnt hurt to have the people in charge fighting for you.


5. SHOW COMPANY CONCERN 
Part of advertising yourself to people is letting them see your outlook on work and life. This means more than just a being friendly to people. It means being genuinely concerned with how the office runs and the future of the company.

If you are not interested in the company, why should the company be interested in you? Keep the following in mind:

  1. A smiling face and positive attitude help foster teamwork and a pleasant workplace.
  2. Voice concerns about the future of the company. Let others know you consider yourself part of the team and want to see everyone succeed.
  3. Never be phony. Its easy to spot, impossible to forget, and incredibly unappealing.


6. TRAIN YOURSELF CONSTANTLY 
One of the biggest problems with hiring new employees is training them. As a temp, you have the advantage of beginning your training early. Learn as much as you can quickly and try and learn it the first time around. If you can do this, your supervisor will take notice.

Learning quickly does not come easy, so keep these things in mind:

  1. Learning is the most important thing; so if push comes to shove, do not be afraid to have people repeat themselves. More generally, never be afraid to ask a question, it shows you want to learn.
  2. Go the extra mile. Even if a particular task is not part of your duties, take an interest in learning it. The more you can do, the more appealing you become.

Temping may not be every persons cup of tea, but it is hardly unskilled labor. Temping is more like a delicate art form. Taking a temporary position provides numerous benefits and opportunities for a person with the right background, knowledge, and attitude. Instead of turning your nose up at the idea, give it some serious consideration. Temping may be just the tool you need to jump start your career plans.