How to succeed during your probationary period?
30 March 2012
Read by 2260 persons
The challenge of a probationary period is twofold: to confirm your hiring but also to provide the first outline of your career progression within the new company. Here are the 10 commandments to overcome this obstacle smoothly.
1) Before you start, you will clean up
Your job search has finally paid off and, as a good manager, you must close it properly. If you were in contact with other companies, it is courteous to call them to inform them of the situation. Some will have used recruitment agencies: keep them informed so as not to burn bridges. Finally, don't forget to thank all the people who gave you a hand, but wait a little before communicating the information to all your friends, just time to feel comfortable in your new job...
Good to know: in the event that you still have one or two applications in progress that you care about, don't abandon them while you are still on probation. Of course, you must be fully involved in your new job, but this should not prevent you from remaining attentive to opportunities.
2) On the day, you will be at the top
It's clear, the first few days in a new company are stressful. In a few days, you will have to digest a large amount of information, face new situations... a change of pace that is all the more difficult to manage if you were not in a position during your job search.
"Taking a job is like starting a marathon that begins with a hundred meters!" This vivid description from the boss of a consulting firm is not exaggerated. You will probably be exhausted during the first few days. To keep up the pace, subject yourself to a rigorous lifestyle: allow yourself rest periods and as much sleep as possible, limit your outings, eat balanced meals...
3) You will understand the company culture
One of the keys to the success of your probationary period lies in your quick understanding of the company culture. You must therefore put yourself in observation mode, become a sponge for information. Everything is good to look at and decode: how do meetings go? Who takes a break, when, for how long? Do employees prefer to wear jeans or suits/tailored clothing? Do jokes fly between colleagues or, on the contrary, do you only hear the flies buzzing and the tapping of keyboards? Obviously, you will remain careful not to go against the values and habits you observe. When in doubt, ask your colleagues about usual rules and procedures: for example, it is better to know the acceptable level of expenses or the company sense of humor. And don't hesitate to note your impressions at the end of the day; if certain things surprise you, you will be able to remember them when you meet your superior and question them.
4) You will go to meet others
Many human resources professionals insist on this point: to succeed in your probationary period, you must remain yourself. If you are naturally a very sociable person, no problem, but if you are by temperament solitary, even individualistic, you will have to break the rule and force your nature to go to meet your colleagues. If many of them have lunch together in the cafeteria or the brasserie around the corner, take the opportunity to join them. You can also take the initiative to organize a get-together to get to know each other, the essential thing being to show yourself curious and approachable. If your position involves managing a team, you must plan to meet them individually: make a schedule for this and don't deviate from it.
5) You will communicate effectively and quickly
Establishing dialogue, both with your superior and with your colleagues, is another decisive factor in the success of your probationary period. Even if you are doing your job correctly, everything is going well and you have no particular questions or doubts, it is better not to stay in your corner. Exchange, share, have certain points confirmed even if you are sure of yourself: it is the best way not to appear arrogant. And if you encounter difficulties or hesitate on the course of action, you must imperatively refer to your superior as soon as possible. Know this: you will be judged severely on your inability to communicate your difficulties and you will never be congratulated or rewarded if you make efforts, however superhuman, to face the situation alone.
6) You will show enthusiasm and professionalism
Nothing better for your employer than to quickly perceive your enthusiasm for the work you do. But be careful that your enthusiasm is not interpreted as pretension. Be humble, even if you come from a prestigious school. No one knows you yet and you must therefore prove yourself. No deviation from professionalism! Finish your work on time, be punctual, try to respond to emails quickly (within 24 hours) and provide solutions to the problems you are asked. If you cannot, promise a return within a reasonable timeframe and respect it. In the event that a deadline is not met, inform your superior immediately: they will remember your ability to anticipate problems more than your failure to meet deadlines.
7) You will accept doing more (temporarily!)
Given everything you have to do, analyze, and digest when you start a new job, it is normal, even expected, that you dedicate a few extra hours to it. Moreover, you are still in a way still running in and things take a little longer than when you reach your cruising speed. Don't panic then if for a while you see your colleagues leaving in the evening one after the other while you still have a pile of files to process or documents to file.
But make sure this does not become a (bad) habit. Not only could you legitimately resent it, but your overtime is likely to be seen by management as a lack of organization!
8) You will bring change, but not too much
Without too much contravening commandment #3, encouraging you to respect the values of the company and to model your behavior on that of your colleagues, it is clear that the company expects beneficial changes from you. It is therefore all a question of balance: you must bring added value, an outside perspective that allows you to question certain procedures and improve them, but without breaking everything...
In some cases, it's quite the opposite: the person you are replacing was perfect in their job, colleagues regret them and are waiting to see what you do. In that case, don't make waves, stay humble and accept to learn what is necessary to live up to expectations.
9) You will display success
After the first few days or weeks of running in, it's time to lay out the stakes and missions of the position with your superior. Are objectives being met? Are expected performances up to scratch? Are customers satisfied? Is the work completed on time? Whatever the case, take the time to highlight your success with your employer, because it is him that you must convince first. If he is not very available, insist on setting one or more short meetings.
10) Renewed probationary period? Remain serene!
Whether the probationary period is two months (maximum set by law for workers and employees) or four months (maximum for executives), it is frequent that it is renewed, provided that this possibility is clearly specified in your employment contract and in accordance with the applicable collective agreement. You should not necessarily interpret this renewal as a sanction: it is sometimes automatic regardless of the employee's performance. However, do not miss the opportunity to ask your superior if they are satisfied with your work, and any points they wish to see you improve: you will be able to concentrate on specific elements and boost your future chances of success.
And if, in the end, the company terminates the contract? Try to learn the necessary lessons for your next professional step. By using the experience to your advantage, you will be able to bounce back even better.
K.R
Monster.fr
Posted online March 30, 2012.
1) Before you start, you will clean up
Your job search has finally paid off and, as a good manager, you must close it properly. If you were in contact with other companies, it is courteous to call them to inform them of the situation. Some will have used recruitment agencies: keep them informed so as not to burn bridges. Finally, don't forget to thank all the people who gave you a hand, but wait a little before communicating the information to all your friends, just time to feel comfortable in your new job...
Good to know: in the event that you still have one or two applications in progress that you care about, don't abandon them while you are still on probation. Of course, you must be fully involved in your new job, but this should not prevent you from remaining attentive to opportunities.
2) On the day, you will be at the top
It's clear, the first few days in a new company are stressful. In a few days, you will have to digest a large amount of information, face new situations... a change of pace that is all the more difficult to manage if you were not in a position during your job search.
"Taking a job is like starting a marathon that begins with a hundred meters!" This vivid description from the boss of a consulting firm is not exaggerated. You will probably be exhausted during the first few days. To keep up the pace, subject yourself to a rigorous lifestyle: allow yourself rest periods and as much sleep as possible, limit your outings, eat balanced meals...
3) You will understand the company culture
One of the keys to the success of your probationary period lies in your quick understanding of the company culture. You must therefore put yourself in observation mode, become a sponge for information. Everything is good to look at and decode: how do meetings go? Who takes a break, when, for how long? Do employees prefer to wear jeans or suits/tailored clothing? Do jokes fly between colleagues or, on the contrary, do you only hear the flies buzzing and the tapping of keyboards? Obviously, you will remain careful not to go against the values and habits you observe. When in doubt, ask your colleagues about usual rules and procedures: for example, it is better to know the acceptable level of expenses or the company sense of humor. And don't hesitate to note your impressions at the end of the day; if certain things surprise you, you will be able to remember them when you meet your superior and question them.
4) You will go to meet others
Many human resources professionals insist on this point: to succeed in your probationary period, you must remain yourself. If you are naturally a very sociable person, no problem, but if you are by temperament solitary, even individualistic, you will have to break the rule and force your nature to go to meet your colleagues. If many of them have lunch together in the cafeteria or the brasserie around the corner, take the opportunity to join them. You can also take the initiative to organize a get-together to get to know each other, the essential thing being to show yourself curious and approachable. If your position involves managing a team, you must plan to meet them individually: make a schedule for this and don't deviate from it.
5) You will communicate effectively and quickly
Establishing dialogue, both with your superior and with your colleagues, is another decisive factor in the success of your probationary period. Even if you are doing your job correctly, everything is going well and you have no particular questions or doubts, it is better not to stay in your corner. Exchange, share, have certain points confirmed even if you are sure of yourself: it is the best way not to appear arrogant. And if you encounter difficulties or hesitate on the course of action, you must imperatively refer to your superior as soon as possible. Know this: you will be judged severely on your inability to communicate your difficulties and you will never be congratulated or rewarded if you make efforts, however superhuman, to face the situation alone.
6) You will show enthusiasm and professionalism
Nothing better for your employer than to quickly perceive your enthusiasm for the work you do. But be careful that your enthusiasm is not interpreted as pretension. Be humble, even if you come from a prestigious school. No one knows you yet and you must therefore prove yourself. No deviation from professionalism! Finish your work on time, be punctual, try to respond to emails quickly (within 24 hours) and provide solutions to the problems you are asked. If you cannot, promise a return within a reasonable timeframe and respect it. In the event that a deadline is not met, inform your superior immediately: they will remember your ability to anticipate problems more than your failure to meet deadlines.
7) You will accept doing more (temporarily!)
Given everything you have to do, analyze, and digest when you start a new job, it is normal, even expected, that you dedicate a few extra hours to it. Moreover, you are still in a way still running in and things take a little longer than when you reach your cruising speed. Don't panic then if for a while you see your colleagues leaving in the evening one after the other while you still have a pile of files to process or documents to file.
But make sure this does not become a (bad) habit. Not only could you legitimately resent it, but your overtime is likely to be seen by management as a lack of organization!
8) You will bring change, but not too much
Without too much contravening commandment #3, encouraging you to respect the values of the company and to model your behavior on that of your colleagues, it is clear that the company expects beneficial changes from you. It is therefore all a question of balance: you must bring added value, an outside perspective that allows you to question certain procedures and improve them, but without breaking everything...
In some cases, it's quite the opposite: the person you are replacing was perfect in their job, colleagues regret them and are waiting to see what you do. In that case, don't make waves, stay humble and accept to learn what is necessary to live up to expectations.
9) You will display success
After the first few days or weeks of running in, it's time to lay out the stakes and missions of the position with your superior. Are objectives being met? Are expected performances up to scratch? Are customers satisfied? Is the work completed on time? Whatever the case, take the time to highlight your success with your employer, because it is him that you must convince first. If he is not very available, insist on setting one or more short meetings.
10) Renewed probationary period? Remain serene!
Whether the probationary period is two months (maximum set by law for workers and employees) or four months (maximum for executives), it is frequent that it is renewed, provided that this possibility is clearly specified in your employment contract and in accordance with the applicable collective agreement. You should not necessarily interpret this renewal as a sanction: it is sometimes automatic regardless of the employee's performance. However, do not miss the opportunity to ask your superior if they are satisfied with your work, and any points they wish to see you improve: you will be able to concentrate on specific elements and boost your future chances of success.
And if, in the end, the company terminates the contract? Try to learn the necessary lessons for your next professional step. By using the experience to your advantage, you will be able to bounce back even better.
K.R
Monster.fr
Posted online March 30, 2012.
