With the number of temporary assignments expected to increase this year, now is the perfect time to consider pursuing temporary employment if you haven’t already. Though professionals may take a temporary assignment for a variety of reasons, some common benefits of temporary work include the opportunity to expand your network, enhance your skills, and gain diverse work experience.

Next time you land a new temporary assignment, here are some steps you should take to ensure you get the most value out of your experience:

Develop new skills or refine old ones – Depending on where you are placed, the skills you’ll use will vary from assignment to assignment. As a result, taking on temporary assignments gives you an excellent opportunity to not only enhance your current skillset, but also learn new skills. By taking different roles within varying companies, you’ll gain exposure to different ways of conducting business and unique technology, which can lead to a variety of learning opportunities.

Learn about yourself – If you’re interested in dabbling in different sectors, taking on temporary assignments can help you gain exposure to and experience in a variety of different jobs and industries. Conducting field research can help you assess which roles are best-suited to your interest and skills.

Go beyond the job description – Showcase your strong work ethic, positive attitude, and commitment to the organization by arriving early or leaving late whenever needed, and offering to help your colleagues and supervisor with any additional tasks. This will demonstrate you are a team player invested in the best interests of the organization, which is important to any current or future employer.

Impress the right people – Start your tenure at the organization on a high note by getting to know the decision makers within the company. By introducing yourself to those who hold leadership positions, you can demonstrate your abilities to the people whose opinions matter most. After all, it’s likely that their approval can open doors for you, whether that means bringing you onto the team permanently or recommending you for your next assignment.

Get to know everyone – It’s just as important to get to know coworkers, clients, and other people you regularly come into contact with, as it is to get to know the decision makers. Making these connections will extend your professional reach, as each new connection you successfully induct into your network has their own network of professionals you can potentially utilize.

Stay connected – Social media tools, such as LinkedIn, are making it easier than ever to stay connected to the professionals you meet on the job. If you made a positive impression, and built strong relationships with your colleagues, maintain regular contact with them and they may turn to you when they hear of any future opportunities.

Taking on a temporary position can help you further your career while allowing you to experience a range of roles and work environments. If you’re seeking your next break, working on a contractual basis can increase your professional value and yield unique opportunities you may otherwise have never been granted access to.