With unemployment still high, probationary periods – short-term periods employers use to try out job candidates before rewarding them with full-time status and associated benefits – are becoming increasingly common. Those workers who agree to being hired on this basis are often recent college grads or people who have been out of work for a while and are simply desperate to get back into the world of work.
This is a great scenario for the employer as they get to “test out” an employee before having to commit to investing in them, but often not so good for the employees involved. Before you agree to take a job on a “trial basis” there are some things you should consider:
Understand the terms up front – If you are being hired for a probationary period there are several questions you should get answers to. When will you be evaluated and who will be making those evaluations? Are you being offered a reduced salary during the probationary period and if so when would it increase? Have there been many people hired for a probationary period and then let go? Make sure you understand the job you are being offered and the terms of your probationary period before you say yes.
You will have to be willing to do more – During a probationary period you are trying to impress. It is quite usual that employers will expect you to work a little later, do tasks that you may not think are your job (making the mid-morning Starbucks run or changing the copy machine toner) and take on work not directly related to your “job description”. You are being tested in these situations, being asked to prove you are a team player and an asset to the company should they decide to keep you on. You will have to be willing to play ball (within reason.)
Know your rights – What if the person who will be responsible for your evaluation seems just not to like you, or is unfair? Before you accept employment with a probationary period attached ask the hiring manager what your rights would be if you disagreed with an evaluation.
The bottom line is do not rule out taking a position because it comes with these kinds of strings attached, just proceed with caution and your eyes wide open.
