Making Yourself Indispensable

Standing out at work and getting the gold star; it’s a nice feeling, isn’t it?
Most of us want to be an “indispensable” asset where we work, at least if you want things like raises, promotions, and recognition for the work that you do. It might appear obvious, but what can you do to shine and stand out, especially to your boss? They’re the ones you should be looking to impress the most, after all.
Alli Hoff Kosik offers some tips in her article here on how to do just that. We’ve highlighted some of our favorites below, but I recommend reading the full article when you have a moment.
Things like this are what make the difference between a temp and a temp-to-perm candidate. Keep this in mind when you’re an any assignment, whether it be for a week or open ended.
- Take initiative!: I advise our temps to do this every day. When you’ve finished your work, don’t sit there and look at your phone, ask your supervisor what else you can do to help. You can even ask your coworkers if there’s anything you can help them with, especially as a temp.
- Stay open to learning: Bosses like to see employees who want to learn more. Let your supervisor know how open you are to this, and take advantage of any trainings or seminars you can. Remember that wanting to learn more is a way of taking initiative!
- Problem solving and positivity: Supervisors (and coworkers) like employees who try to figure out a problem themselves before asking for help. Questions are totally fine and expected, but make sure you write down the information when you get it. Maintaining a positive attitude will help you in any scenario, and the workplace is definitely no exception. If something frazzles you, don’t stomp your feet (literally OR figuratively). Take a deep breath and approach the situation logically.
Image retrieved from Pixabay under the public domain.
Recent Posts

Performing a Dress Rehearsal May Help You Land The Job!
Author: Contemporaries Team ...

Keeping Professional References Up to Date
Author: Contemporaries Team ...

Maintaining a Strong Work Ethic
Author: Contemporaries Team ...

Creating a Winning Resume
Author: Contemporaries Team Creating a Winning Resume The Contemporaries Team recently provided job seekers with 10 Tips for Career Success in 2025. Today, we will be focusing on Tip #1 - Creating and updating a quality resume. Having reviewed thousands of resumes...

Tips for Career Success in 2025
Author: Contemporaries Team Tips for Career Success in 2025 As our Boston-based staffing firm Contemporaries Inc. approaches its 27-year anniversary next month, we have seen numerous employment trends, cycles, and behaviors come and go. However, there are universal...

Artificial Intelligence May Not Be the Best Bet When It Comes to Hiring Staff
Author: Contemporaries Team Artificial Intelligence (AI) and software programs may have its advantages when it comes to weeding out unqualified candidates, but at Contemporaries, Inc. we still believe in the human touch. While companies and some staffing firms are...

In Challenging Economic Times Having a Temp Job May be the Key to a Permanent Post
Author: Contemporaries Team When the economy is booming, unemployment is usually down. Qualified candidates can write their own ticket for a plum position in the field or company of their choice. However, when the economy takes a downward turn, securing a temporary...

A Little Bit of Kindness Goes a Long Way in The Workplace
Author: Contemporaries Team Whether you are the first or last one through the door, exhibiting kindness can go a long way in terms of garnering respect, admiration, camaraderie, and reciprocity from your peers and supervisors. Individuals who are looking to get ahead...

Communication Can Be the Key to A Successful Career
Author: Contemporaries Team Have you ever noticed how well successful people are able to convey their visions, missions, and ideas? Most times, they do it flawlessly, whether it is in an intimate business meeting or a televised discussion in front of a crowd of...

Professional Accountability: A Personal Choice and Consequences
Author: Contemporaries Team Numerous of articles have been written lately stating how a large majority of young candidates do not show up for job interviews, or even make it to the first day of work. This is not a trend which has been seen in past years, particularly...

No I in Team is True in Workplace
Author: Contemporaries Team As the late great Contemporaries, Inc. co-worker Cullen Buckland used to say, "There is no I in Team." The beauty of Cullen was that he practiced what he preached, always offering to help and pitching in whenever someone else in the office...

Starting the New Year on a Positive Note Can Make A Big Difference
Author: Contemporaries Team Annually, individuals hoping to improve their lives, often set themselves up for failure by jotting down a laundry list of new expectations through their New Year’s Resolutions. Even if they achieve some of their objectives, by not tackling...

The Joys of Having a Pet
Author: Alyssa Rebolledo When COVID-19 hit in 2020, people all around the United States felt scared, confused, and isolated. Individuals had to stay indoors all the time, missing out on many experiences such as making new friends, celebrating milestones, and other...

The Best Benefits of Working
Author: Alyssa Rebolledo Nowadays, pursuing a career can be tiresome, anxiety-inducing, and stressful. You may lose focus of the brighter side which comes from all the benefits of landing a job. They include financial freedom, a new purpose in your life, and...