You’ve reached the end of your trial period at work when your boss informs you they have decided to extend your probationary period.
While this is usually not a good sign, it doesn’t have to be disastrous for your career. Let’s discuss how to respond to the news, and what you can do about it.
Probationary periods are common, and will begin on the first day of a new employment contract, and typically last between three and six months. They are designed to assess a new hire’s suitability for the role they’ve been hired for, but also to see if they’re a good fit for the company.
During this time, the hiring manager should clearly define the performance goals they expect the new hire to meet, and organise regular meetings in order to discuss their progress. This will allow any early concerns or challenges to be brought up and help given if required.