Grad jobs probation

[Matriculash]

I'm curious have you ever worked with a grad who didn't pass their probationary period?

What lead to them not passing? Have you ever come across a grad who tried a lot and put a lot of effort in but just couldn't deliver on the quality of their work?

Yes I have worked with this a few times.

I’ve seen graduate’s as well as any other employee fail probation periods for different reasons, some time management issues, issues with the team, extensive time off/not turning up.

We have also had graduates who despite trying really hard just putting the effort in just weren’t able to get the work and deliver on what was required. In those instances we extended probation, put in measures to provide extra support and training, but ultimately if that wasn’t successful they they failed probation and were let go.

I don’t think graduate’s are any different to anyone else in that regard though really. Being a fantastic student and finishing uni with fantastic grades doesn’t automatically mean someone is going to be a fantastic employee. There’s a big difference between having plenty of time to memorise textbooks of information, practice exam questions to prepare with, to then regurgitate that information in an exam versus being in an actual workplace environment where you have to learn the info, the systems, and then depending on the job you can’t really prepare for what your day is going to look like or what questions you’ll get. If you’re someone who was brilliant at writing an essay in 3 weeks while sat with lots of notes/books then it’s a big change to suddenly have clients/emails/calls/colleagues multiple times a day who all have different needs or queries and who need an answer there and then.

We have had graduates who have come from essay based degrees who want to spend hours providing written responses for things, explaining every little thing in depth, they are used to that kind of work and so that feels to then like the best way to do it, it takes them hours to do that when actually in that time they could have passed on that info 10 times to 10 different clients on the phone for example.

In your experiences do they tend to see it coming?

Yes. It’s wasn’t the right role for them. They were offered a different role which suited their skillls better. I don’t think it was a surprise they had had several meetings about concerns they weren’t meeting the expectations for the grad scheme.

if they are blindsided I would say it’s been badly managed

They should always see it coming really, as I say if they were trying but just not up to standard we’d extend probation/put extra training in place first so they would know

The reason I ask is because one of our grads didn't see it coming.

Failing shouldn't be a surprise. If they had proper support in the way the weekly checkins would have told them what they needed to work on. I think this is on their mentor/supervisor

That may be more of a failing by the employer, the first any new employee should be hearing about an issues should not be at the end of their probation.
Of course IF concerns were raised and the Grad (or whoever else) didn't actually realise what was going on then it may be that they are at fault

I've not personally but dh has. His company always sets out a planned scheme for grads and when they are in his area (usually on rotation) he takes the lead so is available for them, makes objectives clear, checks in with them regularly, follows up with praise, areas for focus, what was done well and could be done better. This is all documented and handed to the grad so they have evidence of their progress and whether they are failing or meeting objectives. He expects grads to turn up on time, be enthusiastic, driven, ask for help or support and engage. There have been grads that he thought were not suited to his area of the business but have gone to thrive in another area so they don't immediately get written off. It is like one long job interview though and impressions do count.

Some people absolutely know they're flailing and just can't get there and it isn't a surprise. And tbh managers are often not as clear as they should be about the consequences of an employee not hitting the mark on performance. Culturally Brits tend to be indirect and the required level of bluntness feels rude, so managers talk around the issue with phrases like "we'll have to review the situation if you do not demonstrate X" and the employee hears what they want to, which is that they'll carry on in their job but with different goals or whatever.

But other people, you can have said "if you do not achieve X by this Friday 25th June we will terminate your employment on Monday 28th June" and followed that up in writing and they will still be SHOCKED AND HORRIFIED that they didn't do the thing and now have no job. And fresh Grads in particular are just our of a system which is totally dedicated to helping THEM, so it can be... an adjustment to be in a space which isn't.

I'm curious. Did these grads then find a better job elsewhere?

It should never come as a shock. Ever. If they didn't see it coming, then your staff have failed. How long was the probation period, how many feedback and 1-2-1's did they have, and why weren't the issues addressed as they went along?

Which ones?

Probably some of them did and some of them didn't. Sometimes a job just isn't a match and a person can thrive very well in a different environment, sometimes the person is genuinely a problem employee and/or interviews a lot better than they perform.

Who knows? As they were short-lived employees it is doubtful that the manager was in touch once they left. I’m sure some walk straight into another job at the same level that suits them better; some take a sideways move and stay there; some take a step back but work their way up very successfully. Just like all people in the workforce.