Having trouble finding a full-time, permanent job? If so, don’t overlook the importance of taking a temporary or contractual position. You are not alone. In fact, an estimated one-third of U.S. workers – more than 42 million men and women – are employed in temporary positions. This number is expected to grow in the near future. According to a recent report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, temporary employment for the month of September was up 8.2% from last year. The Bureau also found the demand for temporary employees has added an average of 20,000 jobs to the economy per month.

Employers may prefer temporary employees for a variety of reasons. These motives may range from the fact they are recovering from a financial downturn to their desire to evaluate a temporary candidate’s skills before making a permanent hiring decision. If you are a temporary employee and decide you want to pursue a permanent role within the organization, you have many opportunities to leave strong, lasting impressions that may launch you into a long-term career.

Here are some ways you can turn temporary or contractual gigs into full-time opportunities:

• Impress the right people – Plan on meeting the decision makers early into your tenure. By getting on their radar, you can demonstrate the skills and experience you have to offer. It’s important to show your supervisors that you are a professional who is dedicated to fulfilling your duties.

• Get to know everyone – Make sure you make connections with coworkers, clients, and other people you interact with. The more you reach out to others at work, the more likely they are to remember you. Remember that each connection you make may lead to another opportunity.

• Go beyond the job description – Showcase your work ethic, positive attitude, and commitment to the organization by doing a little extra. Supervisors will be more willing to bring you on board permanently if they see you are willing to help out.

• Stay connected – The relationships you made on the job don’t need to end when your contract expires. Social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn make it easy to keep in touch and check up on everyone’s current endeavors. If you made the right impression and keep in contact with your connections, they will be more likely to think of you when a new opportunity arises.

Not only do temporary roles help you gain a lot of new and diverse experiences and skills in a relatively short amount of time, they can give you the opportunity to decide whether or not you feel the company and work environment are the right fit for you. You can evaluate the organization, just as much as they evaluate you!