10 Tips for Turning Your Contract Job into a Permanent One

10 Tips for Turning Your Contract Job into a Permanent One Contract, temp, and freelance work have all become more popular in the past few years, as people look for creative ways to build their careers, and companies seek ways to reshape their workforce. According to a recent McKinsey Global Institute jobs survey, about 58% of employers expect to hire more part-time, temporary or contract workers in the near future. Contract and temp jobs can be a way to develop talent before investing in it fully. But what if you’re one of these hourly workers, and want something more permanent? If you’re working as a contractor but are looking to convert that into your stable, full-time gig, we have 10 strategies for you to use to start framing yourself as the ideal permanent employee.1. Be clear about what you want.Your boss isn’t psychic. If you were hired as a temp or a contract employee, he or she might not realize you’re interested in putting a ring on it and joining the team full-time. When you come on board, make sure you r boss knows how happy you are to be working here, and that you’d be open to making this a longer-term- but be cool about it.Instead of harping on your availability for a permanent position, or a reminder that you want to extend this, make it more about the job. I’m excited to be here, and would be interested in any full-time opportunities with your team. You can also bring it up with your boss as you get closer to the end of your contracted time: Now that we have just a couple of weeks left, I just wanted to check in with you, and let you know that I’m interested in continuing my work with this team.2. Make yourself indispensable.Easier said than done, right? If we all knew the secret of becoming necessary employees, everyone would have the totally stable job of his or her dreams. What you can do is make sure you’re going above and beyond. For example, if you’re working on a report due by end-of-day, get it in your boss’s hands by 2 p.m., w ith extra information.Think about process, and how things are done. If you see ways or processes to do your job more efficiently, talk them over with your boss. Show them that you’re on the lookout for ways to take on more responsibility, or improve your work. Make the company envision you as someone who won’t just take a to-do list, but build upon it and find ways to be useful beyond the immediate job description. That suggests that you have growth potential.3. Make a connection with your manager.If your boss could barely pick you out of a lineup, or keeps calling you â€Å"Jim† (and your name is Jamie), that doesn’t bode well for your long-term chances at this company. Make sure you’re communicating clearly with your boss, setting regular check-ins,` or sending daily email updates to show how you’re making progress on the task you were brought in to do.4. Work diligently.Now is not the time to coast, if you want to be brought on permanentl y. Your skills and know-how are on the line here. You want them to see an employee who’s always engaged and hard at work.Even when you’re not working so hard after all (there’s a lull in your project, or you’re taking a quick mental break after working on something for a few hours), at least put up the illusion that you’re busy. That means not openly checking your Facebook or fantasy football scores. It also means being at your desk if you’re expected to be at your desk. If you can discreetly do those things, then okay- but don’t get caught by your boss looking up that Amazon purchase when she thinks you’re working on those reports.5. Be responsive.If you get an email, respond right away (even if it’s just a quick note to say you’re working on whatever the request is). Thanks, Jodie! I’m taking a look at this now, and should have an update for you shortly. It lets the sender know you’re already putti ng thought and effort into the task, even if you don’t have an answer right away. It also shows that you’re a good team member, hint hint.6. Be available.Those two hours of overtime may seem annoying now, but putting in that extra time could give you an extra bump in your boss’s eyes. It demonstrates your commitment to the job, even one that’s temporary in nature. That’s an immensely valuable quality to a future employer. You don’t have to be on call around the clock (that’s a bit too eager), but if you’re clear that you are willing to put in the time and effort to get the job done, people will notice.7. Don’t get cocky.It can be easy to get complacent in your job, even if it’s temporary, when you’re the one handling the day-to-day tasks of the position. Don’t forget that unless and until there’s a job offer made, the company is not obligated to keep you on beyond your current contract. If you act like you already have the job, that can be a turn-off for the hiring manager.You also don’t want to risk sounding like a know-it-all, and alienating people with whom you’d be working. You may well be killing it in your contracted job, but that doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get the opportunity to stay. Make sure you’re always mindful that this is a contract position, and while you may be able to leverage it into a longer term role, that is far from a guarantee at this point.8. Make friends.Ingratiating yourself with your coworkers is a key strategic move to make, if you want to make the jump to full-time team member. If there’s a full-time opportunity and your name is on the shortlist for the permanent position, you’re going to want support. One of your colleagues could be the one to put in a good word for you, or say to your boss, â€Å"You know, I really like Jamie. He knows his stuff, and fits in really well here.† W hat you don’t want anyone to say: a) â€Å"Who was that, again?† or b) â€Å"I never really talked to him. He just sat at his desk, head down all the time.† Companies are looking for people who will fit well with the rest of their team, so it’s smart to get to know the people around, you even if it’s small talk late on a Friday or as you both wait for the coffee machine.And even if you don’t manage to extend this particular contract job into a permanent role, you still get to add people to your professional network. You never know when another opportunity (maybe Suzy knows someone at a similar company who’s hiring) will come up through your network.9. Do your homework.Make sure you learn what you can about the company. When I was in grad school, I worked as an administrative temp in a variety of different places. One of them was a financial services company, which was totally outside of my wheelhouse. I didn’t come away from th e experience with a professional-level understanding of how a hedge fund works, but I got a sense of how a company like that was structured, and what the needs were. Once you know what the needs are, you can start sharpening (or showing off) the skills that are valuable to that particular industry or company. Become familiar with the company’s mission statement, and think about how it applies to the job you’re doing now.10. Think of it like a REALLY long job interview.If all else fails, or you have trouble keeping your focus, remember that this is basically an extended job interview. Not all contract positions will turn into full-time gigs (especially as companies look for creative ways to get work done with ever-smaller budgets), but you have nothing to lose by treating this as the one that might make the conversion. Your work is a living, breathing case for why it’s in the company’s best interest to keep you on.Being a contractor has challenges, but als o offers the freedom to try different things until you find the path that’s right for you. When you’ve found that path, don’t just put your fate into someone else’s hands- take control, and start turning yourself into the employee they won’t be able to survive without.

The eNotes Blog Reading Round-Up February

Reading Round-Up February We asked everyone in the office to talk about their favorite books from the last month. Take a look at our favorite reads from February, and let us know in the comments which books you’ll be adding to your to-read list. From nonfiction to comedy to graphic novel, there’s something for everyone here! A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership by James Comey Page count: 290 Genre: Nonfiction; Politics Publish date: 2018 I was surprised at how much I enjoyed A Higher Loyalty. In it, James Comey talks about how he worked his way up the ladder in the Department of Justice, becoming FBI Director after Robert Mueller and ultimately getting fired by President Donald J. Trump. As of this blog post, that firing is part of an active obstruction-of-justice investigation. In a time in which ethical leadership seems to be going extinct, this is a must-read. Whether Comey was standing up to Dick Cheney, Donald Trump, mafia bosses, or even Martha Stewart fans against her 2002 arrest, he was always guided by his moral compass. He emphasizes his respect for the rule of law, truth, and justice, and he discusses how he injected those values into every aspect of his career and personal life. If youre a manager, team captain, or just someone in search of another person who believes in honest-to-goodness justice, humanity, and leadership, give this a read- I think youll be surprised. - Samantha, Head of Marketing Chasing the Scream: the First and Last Days of the War on Drugs by Johann Hari Page count: 400 Genre: Nonfiction; History Publish date: 2015 Chasing the Scream takes a journalistic look into the history of the â€Å"war on drugs,† beginning long before Richard Nixon coined the phrase or the Reagans told us to â€Å"just say no.† Exploring American drug policy and its selective (read: racially-biased) enforcement, Hari traces this story back to Henry Anslinger, the first director of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics ; Arnold Rothstein, New York mobster and kingpin; and the tragic biography of Billie Holiday, her upbringing, and her lifelong struggle with addiction. Hari traces those origins to ongoing issues in drug policy, enforcement, and punishment in the United States, comparing it to international addiction rehabilitation support services. To those who consider non-fiction too dense or dry: this is a perfect blend of journalism, history, and politics with dramatic narrative style. I recommend Chasing the Scream to anyone who wants a glimpse into a historically and currently contentious topic as well as an all-around captivating read. - Sophie, Editorial Intern Freedom by Jonathan Franzen Page count: 562 Genre: Fiction Publish date: 2010 This February, I read Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. The novel follows several members of the Berglund family: Walter, Patty, and their two children, Joey and Jessica. It also follows some of the family members’ friends and significant others, such as Richard (Walters best friend from college) and Connie (Joeys on-again, off-again girlfriend). Franzens writing style in this novel is gorgeous, and the structure of the book jumps from character to character, allowing the reader to develop a deep sense of who each family member is. Franzen explores the dysfunction of the family and their various fallings-out with one another. His exploration of each character is unflinchingly honest about their flaws and sincerely empathetic to them- a rare combination. I loved this story because it was never overwhelmingly optimistic or pessimistic; rather, it was an authentic portrayal of familial life, in which the characters both loved and hurt each other. - Anna, Editorial Intern Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard Page count: 288 Genre: Nonfiction Publish date: 1974 This February, I read Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, a Pulitzer-prize winning work of creative nonfiction that is required reading for any nature enthusiast. Dillard’s narrative is told in first person and follows her explorations and observations during a year at Tinker Creek, outside of Roanoke, Virginia. It’s similar to Thoreau’s Walden in structure and purpose, although Dillard’s work is more thought-provoking and genuine. At times challenging, at times enrapturing, Tinker Creek provides fascinating details on the flora and fauna of the area and explores what it means to be self-aware in a chaotic, wonderful world. - Wes, Managing Editor The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger Page count: 277 Genre: Fiction Publish date: 1951 This month, I read J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. I’d heard the title tossed around enough that I knew it was a book I should probably read sometime in my life. I didn’t enjoy the writing, and it was not a pleasant read, which I attribute to Holden’s repetitive style of narrating and his general untrustworthiness. That being said, I loved the puzzle. It’s thanks to our book club that I felt I had the ability to read between the lines and discern exactly what was going on with Holden Caulfield. On the surface, the story seemed to follow a troublesome kid who was too hypocritical to ever be able to create meaningful relationships. But beneath that, The Catcher in the Rye is a heartbreaking tale about an undiagnosed, depressed teen who didn’t have the resources to heal from his own trauma. - Kate, Marketing Coordinator American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang Page count: 240 Genre: Graphic Novel; YA Publish date: 2006 This month, I read American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. As a daughter of immigrants, I connected to American Born Chinese on a personal level. It starts with three separate tales and tackles the different kinds of racism, insecurity, and shame people of color (specifically Asians) deal with in the United States. These three stories show that no matter how subtle racism is, it can affect and stick with the person. Yang reveals these lessons through wonderfully colored and illustrated comic strips, inviting anyone and everyone to read it. - June, Designer The Ocean, the Bird, and the Scholar by Helen Vendler Page count: 464 Genre: Poetry; Essays Publish date: 2015 Recently, Ive been reading Helen Vendlers The Ocean, the Bird, and the Scholar, a collection of critical essays about poetry. In each essay, Vendler adeptly guides us into the depths of a single poem or reveals the rich, surprising connections among several poems. Though she attends to authors biographies and historical contexts, she is chiefly interested in poetic form. Matters of syntax, rhythm, address, and allusion fascinate Vendler, and she succeeds in conveying her fascinations and insights through elegant prose. I recommend this collection to anyone who wants to roll up their sleeves and read some poetry alongside a master critic. - Zack, Editor Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller Page count: 144 Genre: Plays Publish date: 1949 Working in theater really cuts down on time for anything that isn’t working in theater. It also leads to deep, intimate familiarity with a single text. Over the last month, I’ve read Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman at least twenty times, for detail and for prop tracking and for cue placement and for theme. There’s something reassuring in Willy Loman’s scattered bluster and self-deception; in Biff’s forced self-discovery, necessitated by a young adulthood spent as a combination of Brock Turner and Brett Kavanaugh; in Hap’s tragically empty womanizing. Sure, the destructive powers of toxic masculinity might have made it only recently to the forefront of the cultural conversation, but they’ve been known and recorded for a long time. Hopefully, it means we’re closer than we think to some change. - Caitlin, Associate Editor Changing My Mind by Zadie Smith Page count: 320 Genre: Nonfiction; Essays Publish date: 2009 This February, I read Zadie Smith’s Changing My Mind, a book of essays full of wit, humor, and insight. From writing about her travels in Liberia to the Oscars, from Kafka to Zora Neale Hurston, from her father’s terminal illness to their shared love of British comedy, her essays range in personal, cultural, cinematic, and theoretical focuses. One of my favorite essays, â€Å"Speaking In Tongues,† adapted from one of her lectures, delves into race and dialect and investigates how much we reveal about ourselves- from just the very words that leave our mouths. The first seven essays are crucial for aspiring writers. In fact, the entire book is crucial for any avid reader looking to read great prose from a sharp and thoughtful novelist. - Marianne, Editorial Intern There Should Be Flowers by Joshua Jennifer Espinoza Page count: 100 Genre: Poetry; LGBTQ+ Publish date: 2016 This New Year’s, I resolved to incorporate poetry back into my reading life, and I’m so glad I did- otherwise I might have missed Joshua Jennifer Espinoza’s gut-wrenchingly beautiful collection There Should Be Flowers. These poems seared into my skin like the Inland Empire heat that pervades the book’s atmosphere and made me think of a line by Emily Dickinson: â€Å"If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.† There Should Be Flowers took the top of my head off, blessedly let some of the pressure out, and let in a sense of gratitude for sheer survival. I can’t wait for the re-release of her relatably titled debut collection, i’m alive / it hurts / i love it. - Jules, Editor You Know You Want This by Kristen Roupenian Page count: 240 Genre: Fiction; Short Story Collection Publish date: 2019 After reading Kristen Roupenian’s viral sensation, â€Å"Cat Person,† I had high expectations for her debut short-story collection. There are only a few stories from this collection that I’d recommend reading: â€Å"The Good Guy† and â€Å"Matchbox Sign.† I think Roupenian’s voice is refreshingly bold and has the ability to convey relatable, often disturbing, truths of a shared female experience. However, I felt that the voice that I was captivated by in â€Å"Cat Person† did not shine through the majority of works in this collection. Im trying to acknowledge that producing a debut collection surrounded by so much hype may be destined to disappoint, but the beauty of these short stories is that theyre quick to read and dont necessarily have to be read as part of the collection. I think that You Know You Want This has some gems, but youll have sift through several pages to find them. Alternatively, you could wait and see what HBO does w ith this collection, since they’re currently adapting the short story collection into a new series.    - Savannah, Social Media Manager

Hydraulic Fracturing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Hydraulic Fracturing - Assignment Example 168). Moreover, the proppants are graded and suspended in the pressurized fluid, and they include white sand, ceramic or spherical manmade particles. In this scenario, it allows the gas trapped in the shale and other minerals to be forced to the surface (Maule et al. 168). Furthermore, despite the benefits of hydraulic fracturing, it raises concerns on environmental matters. The greatest threat is to the human wellbeing and groundwater pollution (Maule et al. 168). In addition, fracking has made life expensive in the neighborhoods where it is carried out. I have let to the increase of rent rates and change of the natural landscape. Most worrying is the fast disappearing off the natural forests that are slowly being turned into factories of finding fossil fuel. The other disadvantages associated with hydraulic fracturing include congestion of trucks, noise from fracking sites and many other environmental problems. The environmental changes brought about by fracking have risen concerned amongst people, government and nongovernmental organizations concerning the safety of the environment (Vergano 1). The other demerits include the expansion of this activity into urban centers whereby drilling is carried out 24 hours a day. Some small farmers have leased their land for and forced them to, leave their native land and go elsewhere because of the environmental issues like noise and air pollution. Fracking can also cause earthquakes. The report that was released this month by the National Research Council shows that fracking does not have high risk to earthquakes. However, it cautioned that deeper disposal of the wastewater could trigger quakes like the ones that shook Youngstown in Ohio State last year (Vergano 1). According to Marketline, companies involved in hydraulic fracturing have not publicly published their reports concerning the leakages they have had or the environmental dangers of fracking (Marketline 19). In this