So, you’ve beaten the bots and impressed during your in-person interview, but once you’ve successfully taken on the hiring battle, you still have to win the performance war. Your previous experience may have helped you talk the talk, but when it comes to contract extensions, these tips will help to ensure you’re walking the walk—and demonstrating the qualities that could most likely help you strut into a permanent position.

Become indispensable

When you demonstrate your knowledge, enthusiasm and interest in existing projects other than your own and support a successful execution, you’re demonstrating the value that you bring to your other team members and the company. Sure, you were hired for a specific task, but your employer may not know what other talents you have to offer unless you reveal them, so take the initiative and look for opportunities to showcase your skills. They may say that no one is indispensable, but if you want to prove your worth as a full-time team member, demonstrate that you’re a worker that the team can’t imagine functioning without.

Build relationships

Good communication is great persuasion, so if you’re looking to become a part of a team, voice it with both your thoughts and actions. This doesn’t mean you need to be friends or socialize outside of work, but make an effort to be involved and be friendly at the office. If there’s additional training on offer, you should take it. Going above and beyond shows that you are willing to learn and that you take a keen interest in the company; this may even provide opportunities for networking. The goal is to make your presence known. So instead of sending an email, visit your colleagues or direct managers, volunteer for extra project activities outside your job description, represent your team at meetings or attend meetings so you can be more involved and meet a wider range of teams.

Avoid the office politics

The workplace is prime spotting ground for watching different breeds of humans interact outside their natural habitat, so it can prove difficult sometimes not to watch a show. However, you will be more highly regarded if you don’t get involved in the hunting and pecking order of the workplace and avoid office gossip.

Document your work

Whether you’re on contract or a permanent employee, it’s your responsibility to fill out your time-sheets, expense forms and any other paperwork in a timely fashion. This illustrates you’re responsible, reliable and organized. Sometimes, as a contract worker, you won’t be a regular part of the staff team and will get left out of what is the normal information flow. By taking the initiative on communications and providing critical updates to projects, you also demonstrate your strong skills in this area.

You want something? Ask for it.

If you want to be considered for a full time position, this isn’t the time to act like a wallflower and hope you’re simply picked for the part. If the timing is right, talk to the key decision maker and let your interest in a full time opening known.

If none of these tactics work and your contract role truly has an inevitable end date, then concentrate on doing the best job possible for the employer. Then, several weeks before the scheduled end-date, set up a time with your manager and discuss your interest in their company and field, you may get a referral to another company if this one simply can’t hire you.

Are you working with a staffing agency to find our next great opportunity?