For many folks, summer jobs are a good opportunity to make some extra cash and stay occupied in between college semesters. So, motivation tends to be somewhat low among summer employees. After all, what's the point in pushing oneself at a gig that's apt to come to an end?
But according to data from Adecco Staffing, as many as 15% of summer workers will eventually become full-time employees. That's a pretty sizable leap from the 1% to 2% of summer staffers who usually get to stay on board.
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If you're enjoying your summer role, it pays to do the best possible job between now and when the season wraps up. If you do, you just might find yourself with a full-time offer on the table -- either an immediate one or after graduation.
Turning temporary employees into full-time workers: A win-win
From an employer's perspective, there's a lot to be gained by hiring seasonal workers on a full-time basis. For one thing, those employees have already been vetted and proven to be capable of getting the job done, which eliminates many of the unknowns associated with hiring new people. Extending offers to existing employees can also be a money-saving proposition.
Remember, it costs time and money to list and market jobs, go through the interview process, and deal with new hire training -- so much so, in fact, that many companies are willing to extend full-time offers to workers knowing full well that they won't be able to start right away, such as with a college student working a temporary gig for the summer but returning to school for another year before graduating.
Of course, turning a summer role into a permanent one benefits those on the receiving end of those job offers. Imagine you're a student working a summer gig in between semesters, and being able to return to college for one final year with the peace of mind that comes with knowing there's a full-time job waiting for you once your studies wrap up. And just as companies that hire returning workers knock out the risk that those employees will underperform or won't be reliable, graduates who return to businesses they've worked for get that same comfort level to fall back on. Rather than have to learn the ropes at a new company, they can simply pick up where they left off.
Proving yourself worthy of a full-time offer
At this point, the summer is mostly done, and if you're a student, you're probably gearing up to resume your studies. But that doesn't mean you can't make a last-ditch effort to impress your employer. You can start by being more attentive to the tasks you're assigned, whether that means entering data more accurately or being extra friendly to the customers who call with questions or concerns. It also wouldn't hurt to show up to work on the early side these next few weeks or volunteer to stay later if extra help is needed.
Having a positive attitude will go a long way if you're hoping to snag a permanent job offer, so slap a smile on your face over the next couple of weeks, and rather than shy away from challenging tasks, volunteer to tackle them. Finally, don't be afraid to vocalize your desire to land a full-time offer. If you make it clear to your manager that you're eager to stay on board or return to the company after completing your studies, you just might get that option.
Some summer jobs never amount to anything more than temporary, but if you could see yourself doing that gig full-time, it pays to explore that option. It's certainly an easier road to full-time employment than putting your resume out there and hoping you'll get some takers.
