A: Dear Renee,

It's not often employees find a manager and a company that they enjoy working for so you are smart to explore the possibility of being hired on as a permanent employee. You should feel encouraged about the option to turn your temporary assignment into something more permanent. Employment World calls temporary work “the single most productive strategy for finding a full-time job.” Thousands of workers make the leap from temp to full-time employee.

It is absolutely appropriate to ask your manager about being hired permanently. But before you do, think about the following:

If you landed the assignment through an agency or staffing firm, make sure you let them know you are interested in permanent employment.

Be prepared to provide compelling reasons why you'd be an asset to the organization, concrete examples of the results you've generated, and an explanation as to why you accepted the temporary or contract position in the first place.

Emphasize the benefits the organization will reap by hiring you. For example, point out that you have already been through the typical learning curve that comes with a new position and you can "hit the ground running." In you, they have a known asset, someone they can trust and have seen perform above expectations.
Finally, if your employer just doesn’t have the resources or budget to add another permanent employee, don’t despair and don’t take it personally. If you ultimately leave the job to seek a permanent position elsewhere, don’t burn your bridges. Keep in touch with your former supervisor and coworkers, who are now part of your valuable network. You never know when another position will become available.

Good luck Renee!
Seymour