How to Turn a Temp Job into a Permanent Position - The Muse

How to Turn a Temp Job into a Permanent Position - The MuseHow to Turn a Temp Job into a Permanent Position Hi Rajiv,I am currently going through my toughest dilemma yet at work temp life. I recently moved to New York City to work in the fashion industry. I knew it was going to be difficult, but, in fact, its challenged me to the core. Ive never been a temp, and so Im not quite sure how Im supposed to act (even though Ive posed this very question to my supervisor). Should I pretend that Ive been 100% hired and fully engage myself, or should I consider myself closer to intern status? Some days Im treated like a full-time employee, other days like a lowly intern. Sometimes I try to take initiative, and its not looked at well, while, other times, I take a back seat and nobody landseems happy with that either. Ive been there for three months, and at the end of each month, they ask me to stay on. I truly attempt to engage with my supervisors, but they act like Im just wasting their time ( which is where I get the intern feeling). So I ask you Am I overthinking this completely? Do I need to just suck it up because this is New York? I honestly just dont know where I stand, and would love some guidance because Ive never had this issue before. Im typically a pretty outgoing, engaging, take-life-by-the-horns kind of person, but this temp life is making me feel like Im walking on egg shells. Really appreciate your insightSigned,Constantly on ContractDear Constantly on Contract,Oh, that TempLife can be confusing, right?First things first, lets acknowledge that you must be doing something right if they keep extending your contract each month. Even if its a last-minute heads up, they wouldnt ask you back if they didnt like your work or didnt think you provided value to the company. You should feel good about that.Speaking of value, thats where I like to see people focus their attention in the workplace. Too often we stress over Am I doing enough? Am I doing too much? Do they like me? Do they hate me? That mindset isnt a helpful one. When you operate in causation mode, your own satisfactions entirely dependent on your employers reaction. Many people who are interns or on-contract think like this, which limits their ability to contribute to the company. At the end of the day, this is your career were talking about- treat this job with the importance it deserves How Can You Do That?If you want to know how to turn a temp job into a permanent position, instead of a causation mindset, shift to a value-based one. With every scenario you encounter at work, ask yourself Can I provide value here? If yes, how? When you operate from this point of view, you achieve the mental freedom youre striving for, because youre acting in the best interest of the whole, and youre not simply reliant upon a reaction. This will keep you from constantly trying to get your hands on everything, and itll allow you to do quality work where youre most capable.Naturally, when an employer sees someone providing support to the organization, theyre grateful for it. In a value-based mindset, you find and seize the right opportunities for you and for the company. If your goal is to turn your short-term job into full-time, its essential that you work with the same dedication and diligence that a full-time employee would.This article is parte of our Ask an Expert series- a column dedicated to helping you tackle your biggest career concerns. Our experts are excited to answer all of your burning questions, and you can submit one by emailing us at editor(at)themuse(dot)com and using Ask a Credible Career Coach in the subject line.Your letter may be published in an article on The Muse. All letters to Ask an Expert become the property of Daily Muse, Inc and will be edited for length, clarity, and grammatical correctness.