How to Take Your Job From Seasonal to Full-Time: 5 Helpful Tips
October 19th, 2018 Written by: Molly Masterson
Many companies leverage seasonal workers to help business run smoothly during peak business times. But while seasonal jobs are temporary by definition, that doesn’t mean they can’t turn into full-time employment.
In fact, seasonal jobs present a great long-term opportunity for job seekers. Whether you’re looking for a short-term gig that provides supplemental income or ultimately hoping to find a long-term position, a seasonal job can, in fact, provide both.
Why Seasonal Jobs Have Long-Term Potential
Seasonal jobs have full-time potential thanks to two reasons:
- They get your foot in the door with target companies. Most seasonal roles will embed you within an organization anywhere from 2-4 months, giving you the opportunity to develop important relationships with your coworkers and supervisors.
- They help build your resume. Not only are you earning an income, but you’re also developing skills and experience that can pump up your resume. This is crucial as the more experienced you are, the less time and resources employers have to spend on training and onboarding, which is very attractive in their eyes.
How to Turn Your Job From Seasonal to Full-Time
Ready to turn your seasonal job into a full-time one? Here are five tips that will help you get the job done.
1. Show Up On Time
Employers need seasonal talent during crunch time — when the pressure is on to meet deadlines and keep up with demand. If you can show up on time for every shift, regardless of when it starts, you’ll show your employer that you care about meeting those deadlines and keeping up with the fast-paced environment. You’ll also demonstrate your reliability and trustworthiness — two key qualities employers look for in full-time, full-time employees.
2. Be Flexible With Your Schedule
Part of the perks of seasonal jobs is that they’re flexible, making them perfect for earning an extra income. However, while the roles themselves are flexible, you should be as well. Cover shifts or trade with others to increase the amount of facetime you have with key colleagues or managers and to help ensure the company is adequately staffed during busy periods. In any position, flexibility is a welcome trait as it shows employers that you’re willing to put in the work and be a team player.
3. Do What Is Asked of You
Nothing can substitute just getting the job done. If you’re able to get your work done, employers will see that you take your role seriously and can work efficiently. Better yet, if you get your work done without being asked twice, employers will be doubly impressed as they can trust you to follow through on your work.
4. Put Your Best Foot Forward
Doing your work is a necessity in order to see your seasonal job through to the end. But doing your best work is a necessity if you want to convert your job from seasonal to full-time.
Employers want to hire individuals that go above and beyond the call of duty. That means showing up for shifts a little early, performing tasks without needing to be asked, or taking on additional shifts when needed. The more you can do that during your seasonal role, the more likely they are to keep you on staff.
5. Express an Interest in Staying
This one is simple, yet often overlooked: Tell your manager that you want to stay. Even if the job is seasonal, there may be other full-time positions in the pipeline that you’d be a fit for. And assuming you’ve followed the above tips, too, it’s likely that your manager sees your potential and will work with you to make something happen.
Increase Your Staying Power
Contrary to popular belief, seasonal jobs don’t have to be temporary. If you go into it with a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and clear communication, employers will have a hard time turning you loose. So, don’t avoid seasonal jobs just because they start out as temporary. They just might turn into your new career.
What kinds of roles should you be looking for? Check out our list of the best seasonal jobs for some ideas.
If you’re in the market for a seasonal job, we want to help you find one. Here at Masterson Staffing, we have a wide range of seasonal jobs in manufacturing, distribution, retail, and more.
