Temporary workers often convert to a full-time position with the employer.   Today about 20% of temporary employees convert to a full-time position after taking an assignment.   Many employers actually use temporary services as a screening methodology in their standard hiring process.   This way they “try before they buy” and get to see how the employee performs and fits into their culture before making an offer of full-time employment.For the temporary employee it provides the same benefit, as they get to know the company, culture and their boss. So, taking a temporary position is a great way to get a full-time position.   It gives you a chance to get inside the company and develop relationships.   Once inside you also pick up information, for example what jobs are open and get to know the hiring managers within the company, valuable insider information not available to the average jobseeker.

It also gives you the opportunity to sell yourself through showing how you can perform.   This is a great way to overcome inexperience for students or someone changing careers.   It can also be a strategy if you have been terminated or have some type of negative issue to deal with.

Here is a true story of how this works.   A recent college grad with a Finance degree and good grades was having a hard time finding work.   She accepted a temporary assignment with an international hospitality company working as a receptionist.   They converted her to a full-time receptionist after six months.   During that time she had introduced herself to the Controller and got to know other people in the accounting function.   Today she is a Controller of one of their large hotels on the west coast!

We have also seen candidates target an employer.   Let’s say you want to work at Apple.   You take any temporary position you can get and then network within the company to the department and job you desire. So hitch your wagon to the employer and work to make the switch!

Steve Sullivan President Jobwize.net