From Contractor to Permanent Employee: Making the Switch

For many temporary workers, the possibility of securing a permanent position is a tangible goal. While company budget constraints and long-term hiring needs play significant roles, there are several proactive steps you can take to enhance your chances.

If you're working as a contractor but want to turn your temporary gig into a full-time job, we've got 8 strategies to help you position yourself as the ideal permanent employee.

Preparing for the Journey

1. Be pro-active

This should be the first step and motivate you to work toward further steps. Before accepting a temporary position with the company, find out about the company's policy on hiring temporary workers and if they can be converted into full-time employees.

        2. Be disciplined

Approach your job with dedication: arrive on time, dress suitably, deliver high-quality work, and maintain good communication with your colleagues. Each job is a valuable opportunity to enhance your resume, develop your skills, expand your network, and secure strong references. Your goal should be to demonstrate to your boss your strong work ethic and prove that you can be a significant asset to the company.

    3. Socialize with co-workers

Companies are looking for people who will fit in well with the rest of their team, so it's wise to get to know the people around you, even if it's just small talk late on a Monday morning as you greet each other near the coffee machine. Moreover, don’t hesitate to help those around you achieve their goals.

Word-of-mouth from colleagues can be great, spreading the word about the 'great temp' down the hall and helping you get the job you want. Co-workers can also be a great source of information about who is in charge of recruitment and where the real opportunities lie within the company. Make friends and let the people around you know just how valuable you would be as a permanent member of staff—work-wise and as a friend. Even if you don't manage to turn this particular contract into a permanent role, you can still expand your professional network.

    4. Your work should speak volumes

The next step in the process is to acquire abilities that enhance your areas of strength and enable you to achieve the highest potential. All too often, people focus too narrowly on the skills that are core to their role. For example, rather than developing a few technical skills that can help streamline their workflow, marketing professionals spend most of their time developing the skills that help them communicate effectively.

Mastering unique skills that make you stand out will prompt others to ask for your help in those areas and, thus, make you valuable.

    5. Your interest should be reflected in your work

Outperforming those around you is perhaps the most important step a contractual employee can take toward becoming a permanent employee. Management notices when people take ownership of duties and go above and beyond, even if it is only for a limited time. This means anticipating your manager's needs and proactively offering help and ideas rather than just doing what you're told. This commitment, combined with your ability to identify your strengths and develop complementary skills, places you at the heart of every company you work with.

    6. Keep transparent and honest communication

Plant the seed with your employer early on that you want to become a permanent employee. Find out what it takes to get the offer—who to contact, what the conditions are for conversion, which vacancies are available, etc. Make sure you tick all the boxes on the requirements list and let influential people know from the outset that you might be interested in working for the company on a full-time basis.

    7. Be patient, not pushy

While it's wise to express an interest in a permanent position early on, you don't want to explicitly ask for the job right away. Temporary workers often get restless, and this can put a strain on the new working relationship. It's like asking someone to marry you when you've just started dating. Be patient; don't be overly aggressive in selling yourself. When you first start working, respect the contract and dynamic you were hired for. Then, gradually, show management you can handle the job full-time and strike the discussion.

    8. Negotiate your offer

Received a full-time offer? Congratulations! You've managed to impress the team and management, and they've come to trust you. But before you accept the offer, discuss the terms and conditions with your employer. You need to consider what you want to earn, benefits, perks, and other aspects of your package. You must conduct a comparative analysis between the full-time offer and your present contract wage and benefits. The discussion may require compromising on a few things. However, you ought to defend your worth and identity as well.

Making the Switch

Whether you want to become a permanent employee can be impacted by your career aspirations, time constraints, working style, relationship with the company, personal commitments, etc. Some people know from the onset whether they would or wouldn’t want to convert, while others make up their minds after working for a while. In any case, the transition from contractor to employee benefits both the employer and the employee, but it is not without its challenges. With a structured approach and thoughtful execution, you can reap the rewards of all your hard work.