Why Are So Many Of Our Temps Going Permanent?

Posted On 9 Dec 2020

Why Are So Many Of Our Temps Going Permanent?

9 Dec 2020
Great attitude! Theirs that is!!

Candidate Resource, Employer Resource, News & Events

Great attitude! Theirs that is!!

In our market update last week, we mentioned that a high proportion of our temporaries were being converted to permanent positions. In fact, it was so high, it contributed to 75% of our placements. I don’t mind sharing such information with you as the facts will back up my statement.

An example from our office

If you are a candidate, here is a really great example in showcasing how easily this can happen.

In our office right now, we have a fabulous temporary assisting us with cleaning up our database. It is a mundane job, boring, tedious, likely OK for a few days but a few weeks – that can be a hard slog in maintaining reliability, accuracy, motivation, attention to detail and that great happy demeanour.

Initially, we only needed this assistance for a short period of time; however, as we are becoming busier and busier and we look to the future, we know we will need additional support next year.

This temporary is studying and can only make herself available for us three days a week in the new year. If you were recruiting for me and said at the beginning of a process that you had a candidate who could only commit to full-time hours during their university break and otherwise it’s three days, I would have said, I don’t think that will work (apparently, I can be our most difficult client!). 

It comes down to attitude

Well, guess what? It can work, and it’s all down to the persons’ attitude. Not only has this candidate been able to do a very boring but oh so important job at lightning speed and with accuracy and happily. She is willing to extend herself on the three days where she can, to make up for any downfall in work that may come in on the other two days. i.e. being responsible, accountable and dependable – all the very best of attributes we look for in an EST10 employee!

Plus, when I asked our Administration Manager her opinion on this person’s character (which is oh so critical to our business and team!), she said, ‘exemplary’. When I asked why it was as simple as this, she unloaded the dishwasher.

Please don’t get me wrong; we don’t care about the dishwasher, we all take it in turns, like some of the other not so glamorous jobs in the office! And, as a temp, we have never asked her to unload the dishwasher or said it to be part of what we need to be done each day. Rather, she took it upon herself to see how else she can help us in the office – noticed the dishwasher hadn’t been emptied that morning and took the initiative.

Like a lot of things in life, it is the small things that make a big difference. The courtesies, the please and thank you’s and even a good morning. Simple, but important.

Stepping back to step up

Another one of our temps took a very junior temporary role. She was made redundant at the beginning of COVID and knew it would be a struggle to find the right permanent position. The junior temp role she took on, paid half of what she was used to earning. It required a 4-month commitment, thus taking her out of the market for permanent opportunities during this period. 

It is the quid pro quo if you want some of these temporary jobs – you need to commit. Our client recognised her dedication. She also did the small things that were not required – just naturally did so, using her initiative and instinct, like writing up a manual for the junior they would employ on a permanent basis, staying back to handle an issue. This candidate has now landed a more senior role, in this company and paying the salary she was used to. I have another 10 of these stories – all from last month alone! 

At the beginning of COVID, my advice to candidates was to consider more junior jobs and do a great job, as you don’t know where it would take you. The way you thoughtfully and respectfully approach any job or task tells us a story about you which is more significant than your temporary assignment.

The joy of a job offer

It’s one of the delights of my job to witness these stories. Landing a job in this market brings joy to not only the job seekers but to all those around them, their spouses, family and friends etc. I had forgotten the spread of happiness securing a job can bring, especially at this time of year, what better Christmas gift you can deliver! 

My message to candidates is to please do the little things, show commitment, integrity, be dependable, reliable, and you can take charge of your future! For Hiring Managers, use temps!! It’s the secret gateway to securing talent and assets for your business.

 “The final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” ― Anne Frank

About the Author

Roxanne Calder

As Founder and Managing Director at EST10, Roxanne has an all-encompassing role that includes building and growing the business, as well as actively recruiting and consulting.

After completing a Bachelor’s Degree at Monash University, Roxanne began her recruitment career with renowned recruiter Julia Ross. From there, Roxanne worked in HR and recruitment with a number of global players and boutique businesses throughout Australia, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong for over 20 years. She has been responsible for managing large teams and projects, implementing RPO models, managing and assisting businesses to an IPO and assisting companies in setting up their recruitment teams and processes.

Following completion of her MBA at the Australian Graduate School of Management, Roxanne launched EST10 in July 2010. In doing so, she hoped to combine the flexibility and high touch service levels of boutique agencies with the structure and strategy afforded to larger firms. Roxanne believes in high-touch, high-care consulting and is always on the lookout for consultants that share this vision of recruitment.

About the author
Roxanne Calder
Managing Director

As Founder and Managing Director at EST10, Roxanne has an all-encompassing role that includes building and growing the business, as well as actively recruiting and consulting.

After completing a Bachelor’s Degree at Monash University, Roxanne began her recruitment career with renowned recruiter Julia Ross. From there, Roxanne worked in HR and recruitment with a number of global players and boutique businesses throughout Australia, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong for over 20 years. She has been responsible for managing large teams and projects, implementing RPO models, managing and assisting businesses to an IPO and assisting companies in setting up their recruitment teams and processes.

Following completion of her MBA at the Australian Graduate School of Management, Roxanne launched EST10 in July 2010. In doing so, she hoped to combine the flexibility and high touch service levels of boutique agencies with the structure and strategy afforded to larger firms. Roxanne believes in high-touch, high-care consulting and is always on the lookout for consultants that share this vision of recruitment.