Survive the Probationary Period at Your New Job

Job hunting can be one of the biggest challenges you’ll face in your career – especially if you’re new to the employment scene. If you’re unlucky, it can take months of applications and interviews before you receive a job offer. However, starting a new job isn’t always straightforward.

Often, companies will include a caveat in your offer – you must survive an initial probationary period. A standard procedure for many businesses, it serves as a trial period for new hires and offers companies a degree of protection.

Be polite: Your new employer will want to know if you fit in with the existing team, so it’s important to build a good relationship with all of your co-workers. This means being polite and friendly to everyone you meet, from the CEO to the cleaner. You can guarantee that your employer has asked your colleagues to report back about you – if you’ve upset people in the office, you run the risk of failing your probationary period. It’s also important to be positive during your probationary period. Constant complaining can bring the mood of the office down, and is sure to be noticed by your supervisors.

Ask questions: Whenever you start a new job, you should always be eager to learn as much as possible. There are plenty of things to learn in any new position, especially if you’re relatively inexperienced. Asking your colleagues and supervisors for advice is a good place to start – not only will this help you to learn new skills, but it is also an excellent way of building relationships. Showing an interest in your new position proves to your employer that you’re actively engaging with your new role. It’s also wise to ask your bosses for feedback on a regular basis – this shows that you’re seeking to improve yourself.