How to make yourself known during the probationary period

Even after a successful interview, the employee and employer may still have doubts about whether they are right for each other. To refute or confirm these doubts, a probationary period is provided. We figure out what it is and share tips that will help you make a name for yourself in a new place. 

What rules apply during the probationary period?

A probationary period is a period specified in an employment contract during which an employee “tests” a new position: finds out whether he can handle the volume of tasks, whether he is satisfied with the conditions, the team, and the management. And the employer, in turn, takes a closer look at the new employee.

How long is the probationary period?

By law, the maximum duration of a probationary period is three months. However, there are exceptions: 

• heads of companies, branches and representative offices, chief accountants or their deputies can be tested for up to six months; 
• employees who have entered into an employment contract for a short term, i.e. from two to six months, – up to two weeks. 

All these are also maximum values: a longer period cannot be specified in the contract, but a shorter one is quite possible. The exact time of completion depends on the employer’s decision. 

During the probationary period, the employee performs the same duties and has the same legal status as his colleagues. Accordingly, the same labor legislation applies to him, in particular, he has the right to receive a salary in the amount corresponding to the position. There are no legal grounds for cutting the salary during this time – the wording “Salary for the probationary period” in the contract is unacceptable. 

However, an increase in income immediately after the end of testing is possible , for example, if the company has established special allowances, an additional agreement was concluded, or after passing the probationary period, the employee will be transferred to another position. It is better to clarify all this with the employer in advance. 

You can also go on sick leave, maternity leave, time off, unpaid leave or study leave. But days spent outside the office will not be counted in the probationary period – it will automatically increase. For example, if an employee spent five days on sick leave, then the probationary period will be increased by five days. 

For whom a probationary period is not established

There are categories of workers for whom, according to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, a probationary period cannot be established:

• employees who have passed a competitive selection process for employment, such as university professors;
• people transferred from another company by agreement of employers;
• those who have entered into an employment contract for a period of up to two months;
• minors;
• pregnant women and women raising children under one and a half years of age;
• people who have received secondary vocational or higher education and within a year after that started their first job in their specialty; 
• who have completed targeted training under a contract.

What does an employer expect from a candidate during a probationary period?

It is difficult to predict what a specific company wants from a new employee. Therefore, it is better to ask about this right at the interview stage or, if it has already been completed, in the first days of work. You can ask the manager the following questions: “What qualities do you need to have to be successful in the company?”, “What results do you expect from me in three months?”, “Why have employees not previously passed the probationary period?”

Probably, any employer will expect a newcomer to match his professional abilities with his resume and to perform the assigned tasks well. 

How to understand what needs to be done 

A job description – a list of employee responsibilities for a specific position – helps to clarify this. The employer is obliged to familiarize the new employee with this document under signature during hiring. It is impossible to demand that the employee perform duties not provided for in the instructions, and it is also impossible to fire for failure to perform tasks that were not set at the start.

Some companies may also have local regulations, for example, a special provision on the procedure for passing a probationary period or internal work regulations. 

Small companies do not always have documents that describe the criteria for passing the probationary period. But it is better not to let things slide and to discuss in advance and record on paper what tasks need to be completed, what results need to be shown and under what conditions the probationary period will be passed.

How to make yourself known during the probationary period 

The basics are to perform tasks from the job description. But there are also several other ways to show professionalism and interest in the work. 

Observe experienced and successful colleagues 

You can pick up some life hacks on how to complete tasks better and faster from them. And also understand the format in which work is built in the company – it will probably be easier to understand from a visual example than from a dry instruction. 

Take the initiative

Offering help on a project, completing difficult tasks, actively participating in discussions at planning meetings – all of this will probably count. The main thing is to soberly assess your capabilities and not take on more than you can handle. Otherwise, there is a risk of burning out and letting down the team. Adequate managers understand that the probationary period is an adaptation period, and you should not expect super results during this time.

Ask questions

Asking for help or advice is not a sign of weakness, but just the opposite: asking for advice will show a desire to understand the issue and do everything well. If a mentor has been assigned, you can go to him for clarification. If there is no mentor, go to your boss or one of your colleagues. 

Share achievements with your manager

During conversations with your boss, it is not necessary to only listen to his opinion, you can share yours and also tell how well you cope with new tasks. It is better to confirm achievements with examples from work life or visual results.

Try to find a common language with colleagues

The chances of feeling comfortable in a new place will increase if you manage to build trusting relationships with the team. Communicating with other employees will help you learn more about the work and internal processes. And in some companies, before making a decision on a probationary period, they collect the opinions of different employees – if everyone has good impressions, the likelihood of staying will increase. 

How to Know if You’re Up to the Job

Ideally, after a few weeks of testing, the manager or HR manager will give feedback themselves. But if not, you can ask for it personally. It is better to get a detailed answer to understand what adjustments need to be made. Here, prompting questions can help – “What tasks am I doing well? Is there anything that needs to be worked on?”

Periodically during the probationary period, it is worth checking in with your feelings. Here is what you can ask yourself:

• Am I coping with my goals and objectives? If not and it doesn’t get any easier, that’s a red flag. You should first talk to your manager about problems like schedule overload – maybe you’ve been accidentally given too much to do. If the conversation doesn’t lead to changes, it’s probably better to look at other vacancies. 
• Do my values ​​and the company’s corporate culture match? For example, you value free time, and it’s normal to stay late at work or take on tasks on the weekend. Or you’ve noticed that your colleagues find sexist jokes normal. 
• Do I have the necessary skills and knowledge? The problem here may arise if you lie a little in your resume at the start. For example, you put the English level C1 instead of the existing B1 in the hope that it will be almost not needed in the job. But in fact, the new position requires daily communication with foreigners or drafting documents in another language. 

What to do if you don’t like the job after the probationary period 

If there is no match, don’t be afraid to leave. It’s better to do it before the probationary period ends, so the dismissal will be easier. You will need to notify of your decision not two weeks in advance, but only three calendar days.

During the probationary period, the employer also has the opportunity to quickly terminate the relationship with the new employee. He only needs to fulfill two conditions:

• give written notice of dismissal three days in advance;
• explain why the probationary period was not passed.

In this case, there is no severance pay , but wages for the time worked will be paid. By the way, if the employer’s decision on the results of the probationary period seems wrong, it can be appealed in court. If the probationary period has ended, the employee can only be fired on general grounds, for example, for a gross violation or repeated failure to perform work duties.