Congratulations! You have been offered a job. Before you actually begin working though, you will have to go through a probation period. This is the time when your job performance is evaluated, so it’s important to prepare yourself for what lies ahead and succeed in the probation period of your new job.
Probation is a trial period that allows you to get settled and acquainted with the your job, the company and its culture before you are offered permanent employment. It's a time when your colleagues will see how you handle pressure and deal with problems, so it’s important to be prepared. What do you need to know about your probation period before accepting any job offer?
Do's and don'ts during your probation period
1. Do your homework.Every new employee has a chance to prove themselves. What matters is how you work, not the number of days that you have been employed by a company. Having a solid understanding of your company, industry and market will help improve your performance and make you more valuable. Be sure to do some homework before starting any project at work. Here are some things that should help:
- Research the company's history, mission and values: It’s important to understand why this organization exists! What does it stand for? What is its purpose? How does it differ from other organizations (competitors)?
- Research competitors: Who are they? How do they operate? What makes them different from other companies in this space? Are there any trends emerging that affect either your or their businesses?
- Research industry trends: Find out what challenges and opportunities exist within this market segment right now.. What are people talking about online related to this topic—what articles have been written recently, etcetera?
2. Be observant and ask smart questions.
In order to be successful on probation, it is important to be observant and ask smart questions. Asking questions shows that you're interested and willing to learn, and helps identify areas that may need improvement. Do ask smart questions. Now that you've been offered the job, it's time to get your head wrapped around what you're getting into. Ask smart questions about the company, the job, and your role in it. How often are you expected to meet with team members? Are there any plans for expansion? What kind of training will be provided on Day 1? What is your boss's perspective on work/life balance? The more informed you are about what is expected from day one, the easier it will be for both parties to collaborate long-term.
3. It's OK to let people know you are new.
You're allowed to ask for help! It's not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of being human. If you are really struggling with something and don't know how to fix it, just come out and say so. Your manager or mentor will help you sort through your concerns and figure out the best way forward.
4. You will make mistakes but don't panic.
You will make mistakes. You will say, "I don't know," when you should have researched the answer. You will ask for clarification, and then you'll ask for additional training, but it's okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them and move on.
When you're learning new skills or knowledge in any field of work, there's always something new to learn—and every time there is something new to learn, that means there are more opportunities for mistakes!
It's important not to panic if these things happen; just remember that this is a normal part of the learning process and take it all in stride!
5. You don't have to reinvent the wheel.
There's nothing to be ashamed of if you don't know how to do something. You're going to be learning a lot, so it's important that you are honest with yourself and your coworkers about what you don't know. Don't panic if someone asks you for help—that shows that they trust in your abilities! And don't worry about making mistakes; even the most experienced people do them all the time.
The best way to learn is by doing, so take advantage of any opportunities given to make mistakes without fear of negative consequences, but also be sure not to go overboard with trying anything new (or too much at once).
6. Take care of yourself.
During your probation period, you may feel that you need to be more careful and vigilant than ever. While this is true, it's important to remember that while you're on probation, taking care of yourself is paramount.
Getting enough sleep will help you avoid mistakes due to lack of focus or energy. Eating well will keep your mind clear and your body energized for the hard work ahead. Exercise makes us feel good about ourselves; it also improves our mental health by reducing stress and anxiety levels.
And if all else fails, taking time off from your work responsibilities is crucial—even if it's just one night per week—to recharge yourself mentally and physically before returning to the hustle and bustle of life as a new graduate. A night out with friends can give you perspective on what really matters in life: having fun!
7. Do take initiative.
The probation period is a great time to get to know your colleagues and learn about their roles in the company. This is also the time when you can ask for feedback on how you are doing, so take an active role in getting feedback on how you can improve yourself, as well as any suggestions they might have regarding how to do the job better or improve your skillset.
8. Don't compete with other colleagues.
There's nothing wrong with having competitive tendencies, but you should be careful not to let your ego get in the way of your work. You're going to be working with people who have been doing this for a while and have more experience than you do—don't let that intimidate or frustrate you. Instead, use it as motivation to work harder and learn more.
When starting out, it can be tempting to try to compete with other colleagues who seem smarter than you or seem like they have better ideas than yours. It is critical not to be distracted by their success; instead, concentrate on improving yourself so that one day they will be looking up at YOU!
9. Don’t hesitate to speak up and share your opinions.
As a new team member, it can be intimidating to speak up and share your opinions. However, it is important to remember that this is all part of the learning and growth process in your new job. Even if you are hesitant or if others disagree with you, it is important to communicate and be proactive in finding ways to succeed as a team member. Don't be afraid to speak up and share your thoughts, as this will help you and your manager work together effectively. Keep in mind that the culture of the company may be different from what you are used to, and there may be an adjustment period as everyone gets acclimated to working together. Remember, it's okay if people don't always agree with you – it just means that there may be some adjusting going on until everyone gets settled in.
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you some insight into what it means to be on probation. Don't let the title of 'probationary employee' get to your head; it's just a temporary position, and you should treat it as such. Remember that anyone can make mistakes during their first few weeks at work, even experienced veterans!
The important thing is how you handle them, so don't panic if things go wrong: take a deep breath and ask yourself what went wrong before deciding what action needs to be taken next time around.
