There are no specific terms of how long the probationary period may last. It might take from 3 to 12 months, depending on the position, type of organization or industry specifics. Regardless of this, the goal for someone going through a probationary period remains always the same – to survive in the new job. Even if you managed to survive the probationary period, you should not put down your efforts any further. Remember that you remain a novice for at least one year or more. Anything could happen in the organization and the last person who joined it would be the first to go.

That’s why, from the very first day or even earlier – at your interviewing stage, it is important to start building constructive business relationships with both your colleagues and management. Try to make a good impression from the very beginning and continue to build on it further.

Be prepared and well informed:

• about your employer: the organization and your department;
• organizational structure and hierarchy within your department;
• carefully study the organizational culture and try to live and breath with it.

Show your:

• interest
• initiative
• and/or knowledge about the projects that are currently in progress.
  

Make notes and keep records.

It is a good idea to put down all your thoughts, questions, concerns, ideas, achievements etc. in a a notebook, that you would constantly carry with you everywhere. The probationary period is a stressful time when a lot of new information overwhelms you and it is rather difficult to keep everything in mind.

Do not hesitate to keep a constant contact with your manager and colleagues, without being overly disturbing. The expression “out of sight – out of mind” proves to be true never else more than during the probationary period. Do not rely solely on email or phone communication. Meet with people you work with especially with your managers regularly. Make sure that your boss is aware of projects you are working on at the moment and approves of the prioritization.

Make them listen to you. Bring across your ideas, if any, and make them heard. BUT! Listen first! Be considerate and careful and try to understand clearly what your boss wants from you. Take the initiative, but carefully estimate the risk you may run. Generally, one of the knowledge acquisition strategies in an organization is experimentation. And if you know that your organization welcomes it, go ahead. Most companies receive knowledge in the result of research or any other creative process. But it requires a culture that supports the experiential learning. Probationary period is a chance for you to demonstrate your abilities, knowledge and experience yet your observance of the rules.

Do not forget about your peers and colleagues as well. We all human beings after all and appreciate social activities like coffee breaks, periodical luncheons or other team building events. If it is a part of your organizational culture, do participate in those activities.

Try to do all of the above without brown-nosing. Show your sincere interest in your work and people around.

Volunteer for new projects and assignments but make sure to always finish what you started.

If it’s feasible to do so, broaden the scope of your responsibilities. Specialists in a narrow area have lesser chance to survive than those trying to learn new things and are able to do things that others are not.

Even if it is permissible, try not to take vacation or extra days off during your probationary period unless it’s vitally necessary.

However, if despite all efforts you did not manage to save your job, you can at least prepare yourself for a professional parting. In the article “You’re Fired” we listed red flags that you may recognize when things are not going well with your job.

Be aware of those signals but think carefully about your next steps.

Of course, having realized that your new job is not going to work out, you may leave on your own initiative and thus proactively prevent the statement in your employment records: “…in the result of an unsuccessful probationary period”. But, by leaving the organization at your own will, you most likely will lose a severance pay that the company may offer to you. Sometimes, even when they do not have to do so, the employer may provide some advance pay to you as a support for your future employment search. It is your choice to make.