Have you ever considered working on a contract basis while you are looking for a full-time position? Did you know that almost 40 percent of contract or temporary employees nationwide, according to The American Staffing Association Web site, are eventually hired as full-time employees?

The American Staffing Association reports that staffing companies employ 2.66 million people every business day and 79 percent of them work full-time, even on a contract basis, which is virtually the same as the rest of the work force. Of these workers, 77 percent say it’s a good way of securing a full-time position.

In my six plus years with Celebrity Staff, I have seen many contract employees get hired on full-time with the client they were assigned. In my experience, these figures add up. I have even seen companies create a position for a contract employee that did not previously exist because they were so impressed with the employee’s abilities they felt that the company would benefit long term by keeping that employee on its payroll.

Once, I interviewed a candidate who was relocating to the Lincoln area and was looking for full-time work. In the meantime, she felt that working in a temporary position may benefit her in deciding what type of company she would enjoy working with best and began a temporary assignment making around $10 or $11 an hour (which, it should be noted, was far less than her last position). After approximately two weeks, the company felt she was such an excellent employee they made her an offer to become a full-time employee and created a position that was comparable in salary to her last one. With any success story, there are dos and don’ts to consider while working as a contract employee. 

While many clients treat contract workers as regular full-time employees, this does not mean that you ARE a full-time employee or that you have the job “in the bag”, as they say. Whether you realize it or not, you, as a contract employee, are being interviewed on a daily basis while on assignment. How well you perform will undoubtedly affect the length of your assignment and any future possibilities as an employee with the client. With that in mind, here are some key things to remember when you’re a contract employee. 

Some of the dos:

• Do report to your assignment on time or even early, everyday.
• Do work your contract assignment like it is a professional, full-time position.
• Do dress within the guidelines of the company’s policy.
• Do notify your staffing company account manager when you need time off or if you have questions. 
• Do take an added interest in the company if you like the company. Your attitude toward your assignment is reviewed daily and if the client thinks you are interested in working for them it can only help you if they have a full-time position open up.

Some of the don’ts:  

• Don’t forget to keep your account manager informed about how you’re doing in the position. Account managers want to know how you’re doing in the position like if you love it or even hate it. Your account manager is your ally and they are the one who can help you land a full-time position if one opens up.
• Only bring items to the assignment that are professional and work related.  Do not bring personal items such as pictures, heaters/fans, food items, etc.  Keep your desk professional and uncluttered to show that you are putting your best foot forward and focusing only on the responsibilities of the position.
• Avoid divulging too much information about your personal life.  As with any professional environment, personal information should be kept to a minimum.  Should you and a colleague choose to spend time together outside of work, this would be an appropriate time to give details about your personal life.

Whether it’s increasing your experience, taking on a new type of position, or learning more about employers in a new area, working as a temporary or contract employee has many benefits and has the potential to open many doors including helping to get a full-time position.

By keeping the contract employee dos and don’ts in mind, you’re well on your way to your own contract employee success story or next full-time position.

Elizabeth Ambri, Celebrity Staff Branch Manager

About Elizabeth Ambri, Branch Manager
Elizabeth has worked for Celebrity Staff since 2003. She was hired as an account manager and since then she has been promoted several times to her current position of branch manager. Elizabeth is responsible for cultivating new business, servicing her customers, and for the overall operations of the Lincoln branch. Elizabeth has a master’s degree in human resources, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology and is working toward a CPC. Off the clock she enjoys spending time with her husband of six weeks and their family. Elizabeth also enjoys hiking, biking, and playing golf.