Articles From the Team
How to keep probation period jitters at bay
So you have finally landed the job you have been looking for and you’re excited for a fresh new challenge, but you have a nagging worry about your probation period and how to navigate it successfully.
As such, I thought it would be useful to pull together some points worth having a think about.
For most if us we have the usual worries; will everyone like me, what if I say the wrong things, will I fit in, can I do the work! It can we a really stressful time.
A probation period shouldn’t be something you necessarily worry about, with most roles legal or not you will have one and normally they are between 3-6 months.
Generally your probationary period is a time in which there is lots of support and training provided so it’s not something that should be overly concerning for you.
However first impressions do count and so it is important to be at your best and allow your new team to get to know you and put your best foot forward.
I think during this time when there is a lot of initial training and support it’s really important you make the most of it. Ask questions and really get to grips with what is required of you. This is really important. If there are new elements to the role you weren’t expecting it’s better to ask and flag it rather than try and navigate it yourself and do it wrong. This will just cause you more stress. Nobody minds helping the new person navigate their way around and making them feel welcome.
It’s always important to take responsibility for anything you might get wrong. At least then you can learn and do it the right way next time.
Keep track of any achievements you make during your probationary period and things you have enjoyed or feel you have excelled in. This information will be useful if you have a probation meeting to discuss how you feel you have go on and discuss things moving forward.
Taking holidays is a tricky one. I would always flag any pre booked holidays before you start with HR. That way everyone knows what is going on and can build your learning and development plan around them. I would refrain from taking ad hoc days where you can. That way it shows enthusiasm and passion for wanting to learn and do well and help the team succeed. It will pay off. Your team will feel you have a strong work ethic and feel that there is someone in the team who is committed and who they can rely on.
It can be complex navigating a lot of new things in one go, but stick to the basics and I’m sure it will all work out well.