Was hired as a temporary employee (not through an agency) for one year and was told by HR that maybe after 6 months they would consider bringing me on FT. Would it be better to express my interest with HR instead of my manager since they were the ones who originally mentioned it?
Oh honey.
You should talk to the manager about it, but I suspect they will hem and haw, and say something vaguely about looking into it without providing you with any specifics.
Companies hire temps and dangle the “well maybe we’ll hire you some day” out there to string them along.
Sometimes temp to hire works out, but in my experience only if the temp period is short as a probation period or if there is writing that after “x” time as a temp they either let you go or bring you on full time. Preferably both things.
If I were you, I’d start tuning up your resume and sending it out now. If your current job comes through then nothing really lost, and if your job isn’t actually interested in making you an employee then you should spend this employed time to look for a job without the stress of no income.
My two “real” jobs were temp that turned permanent, I like that approach so much more than interviewing. It’s an audition, and gives you enough time to know if you want to work there.
But I’ve never had to ask, there was always an offer after a couple months whenever they decide it’s going to be cheaper to pay the recruiting fee and stop paying the agency. I don’t think it’s a bad idea, if you do like the place, to talk to your manager, also see if there are internal job listings. If they say no openings start looking for another job from the comfort of this one, but don’t assume malice. Though that “maybe, after 6 months” does sound squishy as heck.
Not fond of repeating myself, but: