Ace Your Trial Period
23 February 2012
Read by 3314 persons
Studies, application marathons, and finally, the desired job: the first day in a new job is often the culmination of a real obstacle course. Now it's time to face the challenges of the first few weeks.
Your application was successful; you landed the coveted job. Now it's time to overcome the trial period hurdle. Even if you feel a little anxious before your first day at your new employer, remember that they also want you to succeed in your trial period. Indeed, your supervisor and HR department are convinced they made the right decision and selected the best candidate. Now, they are committed to familiarizing you with your tasks and work environment as quickly as possible.
Ready to Embark
"We want to integrate 'newcomers' as quickly as possible into our company – and in the best possible conditions; that's why we prefer to talk about 'embarkation' rather than a trial period," says Roswitha Korte, recruitment manager at the insurance company AXA Winterthur.
Nevertheless, an employee starting a new job is obviously under observation and must demonstrate their professional and social skills. This applies to both novices fresh out of university and at the beginning of their careers, and to experienced executives. Unless otherwise agreed, the agreed trial period is one month, and both parties can terminate the employment contract with seven days' notice. However, (Swiss) law allows companies to define a trial period of up to three months in the employment contract; most companies opt for the maximum option.
Soft Skills in the Trial Period
Commitment, flexibility, enjoyment of work, open-mindedness, proactivity, punctuality – these qualities are certainly essential for a successful professional career, but they also play a particularly key role during the trial period.
Feedback on performance is very important. It can be spontaneous, but most companies have set up a system of regular evaluations and interviews. SBB, for example, conducts interviews after the first day, after the first week, and finally, at the end of the trial period. The supervisor should also give regular feedback to the "newcomer" outside of formal interviews and even after the trial period, says Christian Ginsig, spokesperson for SBB.
A Simple and Effective Method: A Notebook
"In some cases, it can be useful to keep a notebook in which the person notes certain work processes," recommends Roswitha Korte. Indeed, in a large company like AXA Winterthur, you first need to find your way, especially if you come from a small or medium-sized company. "Large companies operate differently. You have to learn to look behind the scenes to discover who pulls the strings."
To appreciate these new dimensions, you must therefore be vigilant. Above all, avoid being pretentious or arrogant; this is not appreciated at all, says Korte: "The worst-case scenario is when people readily say at any time that they know how it works." Christian Ginsig, SBB, confirms: "It doesn't make a good impression to compare everything a manager or colleague says with your previous employer. Instead, it's better to focus on the new employer."
Team Spirit – A Key Quality
According to psychologist François Eichenberger, owner of Psychologische Laufbahnberatung Aarau, a career counseling and coaching firm, employers primarily want to ensure during the trial period that the "newcomer" fits well into the team. Indeed, other candidates have demonstrated the same technical skills.
Ultimately, the decisive element is the range of social skills. This is where the employer wants to see confirmation. For the new employee, this means that during their trial period, they must actively reach out to their colleagues, Eichenberger specifies: "The behavior to adopt is to seek contact and conversation when you have questions."
Preventing Conflicts During the Trial Period
A person starting a new job who senses a certain reserve, or even aversion, from their colleagues has a problem. The causes can be multiple and often seem incomprehensible: perhaps the "newcomer" is thwarting a colleague's projects with their arrival at the company? It is then all the more urgent to contact the person concerned and prevent any conflict, advises Eichenberger: "The newcomer is always the weakest link."
However, if the team immediately invites you for drinks after work, don't refuse. A little small talk can't hurt: "It's important to signal to others: yes, I'm interested in you, what you do interests me." Clothing is also an element with which the newcomer demonstrates their belonging to the team: it should be appropriate, not too casual, women should not overdo their makeup, and jewelry should follow the old, proven principle of "less is more."
Conseils-carriere.monster.ch
Posted February 22, 2012.
Your application was successful; you landed the coveted job. Now it's time to overcome the trial period hurdle. Even if you feel a little anxious before your first day at your new employer, remember that they also want you to succeed in your trial period. Indeed, your supervisor and HR department are convinced they made the right decision and selected the best candidate. Now, they are committed to familiarizing you with your tasks and work environment as quickly as possible.
Ready to Embark
"We want to integrate 'newcomers' as quickly as possible into our company – and in the best possible conditions; that's why we prefer to talk about 'embarkation' rather than a trial period," says Roswitha Korte, recruitment manager at the insurance company AXA Winterthur.
Nevertheless, an employee starting a new job is obviously under observation and must demonstrate their professional and social skills. This applies to both novices fresh out of university and at the beginning of their careers, and to experienced executives. Unless otherwise agreed, the agreed trial period is one month, and both parties can terminate the employment contract with seven days' notice. However, (Swiss) law allows companies to define a trial period of up to three months in the employment contract; most companies opt for the maximum option.
Soft Skills in the Trial Period
Commitment, flexibility, enjoyment of work, open-mindedness, proactivity, punctuality – these qualities are certainly essential for a successful professional career, but they also play a particularly key role during the trial period.
Feedback on performance is very important. It can be spontaneous, but most companies have set up a system of regular evaluations and interviews. SBB, for example, conducts interviews after the first day, after the first week, and finally, at the end of the trial period. The supervisor should also give regular feedback to the "newcomer" outside of formal interviews and even after the trial period, says Christian Ginsig, spokesperson for SBB.
A Simple and Effective Method: A Notebook
"In some cases, it can be useful to keep a notebook in which the person notes certain work processes," recommends Roswitha Korte. Indeed, in a large company like AXA Winterthur, you first need to find your way, especially if you come from a small or medium-sized company. "Large companies operate differently. You have to learn to look behind the scenes to discover who pulls the strings."
To appreciate these new dimensions, you must therefore be vigilant. Above all, avoid being pretentious or arrogant; this is not appreciated at all, says Korte: "The worst-case scenario is when people readily say at any time that they know how it works." Christian Ginsig, SBB, confirms: "It doesn't make a good impression to compare everything a manager or colleague says with your previous employer. Instead, it's better to focus on the new employer."
Team Spirit – A Key Quality
According to psychologist François Eichenberger, owner of Psychologische Laufbahnberatung Aarau, a career counseling and coaching firm, employers primarily want to ensure during the trial period that the "newcomer" fits well into the team. Indeed, other candidates have demonstrated the same technical skills.
Ultimately, the decisive element is the range of social skills. This is where the employer wants to see confirmation. For the new employee, this means that during their trial period, they must actively reach out to their colleagues, Eichenberger specifies: "The behavior to adopt is to seek contact and conversation when you have questions."
Preventing Conflicts During the Trial Period
A person starting a new job who senses a certain reserve, or even aversion, from their colleagues has a problem. The causes can be multiple and often seem incomprehensible: perhaps the "newcomer" is thwarting a colleague's projects with their arrival at the company? It is then all the more urgent to contact the person concerned and prevent any conflict, advises Eichenberger: "The newcomer is always the weakest link."
However, if the team immediately invites you for drinks after work, don't refuse. A little small talk can't hurt: "It's important to signal to others: yes, I'm interested in you, what you do interests me." Clothing is also an element with which the newcomer demonstrates their belonging to the team: it should be appropriate, not too casual, women should not overdo their makeup, and jewelry should follow the old, proven principle of "less is more."
Conseils-carriere.monster.ch
Posted February 22, 2012.
