Contract work is liberating in some aspects, and restrictive in others.  It can feel very free not to be tied down to one permanent contract position - but the uncertainty that comes between jobs can be destabilising and uncomfortable.  As such, while it's enjoyable to move between temporary contracts for a while, there may come a time when you would prefer to turn your fixed-term contract into a rolling, permanent placement.  It isn't possible in every position, of course.  Sometimes, a business really will only need their contractors for a set period of time - but others are definitely open to hiring the best contractors full-time.  Here's how to make an excellent impression with the hopes of securing an opportunity like that.

Demonstrate Variety in Your Skillset

You may have been contracted to do one specific job, but make use of any downtime to prove that your skills can be applied in other places, too.  Not only does this show willing and commitment to the company, but it will get your employers thinking about how you could fit into their workforce in a more permanent position, especially once the purpose for your original contract has expired.

Show Your Interest

Similar to the last point, you should be sure to demonstrate your interest in the rest of the company's undertakings.  Even if they don't fit your current skillset, you could enquire about different areas of the business, and express an interest in expanding your abilities and set of qualifications.  You never know - you may be expressing an interest in learning a role that the company was already thinking of expanding.  Of course, this should be genuine interest; it may make a good impression to feign it, but if you wouldn't want to get stuck doing something long-term, then don't try it.

Be Reliable and Engaged

Naturally, you should always try your best to be professional at work, and show that you're willing to go the extra mile - but this is especially true if you're trying to 'upgrade' your contract to a permanent placement.  You need to let your employers see that you feel connected to the culture of their company and that you want to fit in and be a part of it.  For any company that requires talented contractors, letting go of somebody who's skilled, hardworking and engaged with their goals is hard.  That's the position you want to aim for.

Again, this is not necessarily something that can happen with every contract.  In many cases, you may be best off speaking to a recruitment company and finding a permanent position to start with - but if you really like one of the companies you're working at, there's certainly no harm in making it clear that you'd be interested in staying there. For more information, visit websites like http://www.contractlaboursydney.com.au.

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