I am in a temporary one-year position (not in the tech field) hired directly by the company so no recruiter involved. At three months in I asked about how I could transition to full time (my manager previously mentioned he was pleased with my performance and was impressed how quickly I was able to ramp up). The response I received from my manager was that I would have to wait until closer to the end of my one-year contract when a “headcount” would be completed. My manager also asked if I was looking for another position (I said No) and to inform him if and when I do.

I took that as a sign that I should start looking, but I’m now wondering how I should communicate my reason for looking for a new position during interviews with a potential employer. What would be the professional manner of answering such a question?

  • marine_mustang@sh.itjust.works
    40·
    19 hours ago

    Hi, I’m a hiring manager so I do interviews and make decisions on new personnel. As others have said, simply tell the truth that your current position is temp and you are looking for a permanent one. As a hiring manager hearing that from an interviewee, I wouldn’t bat an eye.

    You don’t need to give details on when the temp position ends, but they should want to know when you would be available for the new position.

    Finally, I don’t think the answer you got is a sign to look for another job, that looks like a pretty standard non-committal answer for “wait and see”. It doesn’t raise any red flags.

      • garbagebagel@lemmy.world
        3·
        14 hours ago

        Really depends on the situation though. Where I work there are many temp jobs that are often extended for a long time after their end date until the bosses are finally able to swing it with the permanent position. It sucks but (in my work situation) it usually means the bosses really want to keep you around and are trying their best with the budget. It’s easier to get a temp assignment approved than a permanent role.

      • warbond@lemmy.world
        3·
        17 hours ago

        I think so, but it was a temporary position when it was accepted, so it always had an expiration date

    • WoMo@lemm.eeOPEnglish
      8·
      18 hours ago

      Thanks for the reply. Yeah I thought it was a standard wait and see answer but want to play it safe and look for something so I don’t get caught without a job in between.