Landing a permanent position in the New Zealand job market through a temp to perm role requires preparation and strategy. The temp to perm interview is both a chance to showcase your technical skills and immediate value, and an opportunity to demonstrate strategic thinking, commitment to the role, and alignment with the company culture long term.
Ronil Singh, director at Robert Half has been placing permanent, interim and consulting roles across the finance and technology verticals for almost two decades, says “When interviewing for a temp to perm role, you're selling yourself twice: once for the immediate temporary role and again for your potential as a permanent employee.
“Using smart temp to perm interview questions can help you to address the technical capabilities, adaptability, and ability to offer value from the outset that hiring managers will be looking for while showcasing your interest in growth and how your skills can contribute to the long-term needs of the company.
“One overlooked element of the temp to perm interview is understanding the conversion process: Demonstrate your proactive approach by inquiring about performance evaluation during the temporary phase and the historical success rate of temp to perm transitions.”
By showcasing your adaptability, long-term vision, and interest in the company's success, you can position yourself for a smooth transition into a permanent position. Here are 5 insightful temp to perm interview questions to impress the hiring manager:
The goal of this question is to move beyond the job description to surface more details on the company's values and cultural fit.
What it says about you
This question shows that you're a well-rounded professional who understands that success is a blend of technical expertise and soft skills. It shows your interest in the role extends beyond ticking boxes and highlights your desire to be a strong contributor to the company culture.
Listen for
The hiring manager’s response will indicate the company culture and type of person they see thriving in the role. This might include strong communication, teamwork, problem-solving abilities, a positive attitude, or a willingness to learn and adapt.
Consider playing back your own strengths across one or more of the skills mentioned, for example ‘I’m glad to hear you say collaboration because it’s certainly something I pride myself on and would look for in an employer’ or ‘stakeholder management is actually a skill I’ve been focused on developing over the past few years - one of the ways that I have implemented it in my own work has been [insert example]’
Recommended: What are the top skills New Zealand businesses are looking for? Download the 2024 Robert Half Salary Guide to find out
Understanding the career trajectory allows you to assess if the position aligns with your long-term goals. By demonstrating your ambition, you open the door to a conversation about how this temporary role can be a stepping stone to future success within the company.
What it says about you
Using this temp to perm interview question shows that you are ambitious and goal-oriented. It reaffirms that you view the temp to perm opportunity as a springboard for future growth within the company, demonstrating your commitment to both the role and the organisation.
Listen for
The hiring manager's response will give you a clear picture of how your skills and experience can evolve alongside the company's needs. Use this as an opportunity to probe for more details on the role's future responsibilities, opportunities for professional development, and potential leadership paths within the department.
Ronil says ‘Asking about the long-term vision and career opportunities is one of the most important questions to ask in a temp to perm interview. An interview is as much an information gathering for the applicant as it is an assessment for the employer. If the employer's vision for the permanent role doesn’t align with the candidate's goals, then it ultimately won’t be a strong fit for either party.’
Understanding performance expectations allows you to tailor your approach during the temporary phase. You can actively demonstrate the skills and qualities necessary for a permanent role, ensuring a smooth transition if selected.
What it says about you
This is a strong temp to perm interview question as it shows you don't want to simply fulfil the minimum requirements; you’re goal-oriented and proactively trying to ensure a seamless transition to the permanent position.
Listen for
This question allows you to play back your own strengths. Probe for specific metrics they'll use to evaluate your performance, key skills they'll be looking for, and opportunities for feedback during the temporary phase. This will allow you to showcase your strengths in the interview, and sets you up to exceed expectations during the temporary period.
Related: Nail every interview with Robert Half’s top interview tips. Read more here.
This provides valuable insight into the company's commitment to the temp to perm pathway. A high conversion rate indicates a strong track record of integrating temporary staff into the long-term workforce. This demonstrates that the company values the skills and experience of temporary employees and sees them as potential long-term assets.
What it says about you
A candidate's motivation to take on a temp to perm role is the opportunity to move into a permanent position, so this question reinforces that you're looking for a company that is committed to helping their temporary staff make that transition by offering clear opportunities for advancement.
Listen for
A clear percentage or range for historical conversion rates. This demonstrates the company is structured to support, and has a history of, transitioning temporary staff into permanent roles.
Clear communication is key. Knowing the timeline for feedback on your performance during the temporary phase and the hiring decision timeframe for the permanent position allows you to manage your expectations and make informed decisions about other opportunities.
Ronil continues by saying “Clarity and details are the bedrock of a successful temp to perm arrangement, and the interview is the best place to establish this. Having all the information you need to make informed career choices and a roadmap of key milestones will help to set expectations and maximise the ‘temp’ part of the role.”
How do I prepare for a temp-to-perm interview?
As you would for any interview, research the company, your role, and the team so that you understand and are able to speak to the key competencies needed to excel in the role.
In a temp-to-perm setting, come prepared to speak to the growth trajectory of the company, the team, and your own career in order to demonstrate your dedication to contributing to the long-term needs of the company.
What are the signs that a temp-to-perm job won’t become permanent?
In an interview setting, the clearest sign of whether a temp-to-perm job will become permanent is the conversion rate for previous transitions.
On the job, a lack of clear communication about the perm timeline, limited involvement in long-term projects, minimal feedback, or a change in project scope could indicate a lower chance of conversion.
How do I express my interest in becoming permanent?
Clarity and enthusiasm is key. Directly express your enthusiasm for the role and company, highlight your contributions, and inquire about the timeline and criteria for conversion.
How long does it usually take to transition from temp to perm?
The time frame varies depending on company policies and project needs. A more typical timeline could range from three to six months, but it can be shorter or longer in specific cases.
