What Are Employment Trials & Why Companies Use Them

When a job candidate applies for a vacant position, the employer may request a trial period, which is understandable when you consider the amount of resources used to train a new employee. This trial period enables the employer to see how the new worker fits in with the team, while demonstrating their skills at the same time. The higher the skill level, the more likely there is to be an employment trial, as mistakes can be very costly.

Talented People

People with exceptional skills often apply for positions that are normally reserved for older people and in such a situation, the company might ask the applicant to complete a trial period in order to demonstrate their abilities. Providing you pass that test, you are probably going to be hired.

An HR department can help you find the right one for the position. You can also hire an outsource HR service, which is actually much cheaper than in-house solutions. In fact, most companies use HR agencies such as Avensure to carry out essential HR services, not only in finding that very special person to join their team.

Multiple Applicants

Let’s say a CEO advertises for a sales manager and the response is very good, with more than a few applicants who are qualified and experienced; this would be a time to ask for trial period from a preferred candidate, which is the best way to discover their actual abilities. The employer might ask 3 candidates to work for a week, one after the other; this also gives your team a chance to evaluate each candidate and with their feedback and the CEO’s observations, the right person is chosen.

Faced With An Employment Trial

What should you do when you are faced with having to do an employment trial? The simple answer would be ‘perform to your best abilities’. See it in a positive light; you are being given the chance to showcase your skills and whether the trial is paid or unpaid, prepare well and give 100% of yourself to the task at hand and hopefully, you will get the green light and advance your career.

Both Sides Benefit

• From the employee’s perspective, a trial period offers an opportunity to show what you can do. See it as a challenge and if you are not successful, learn from the experience and always think positive thoughts. Another aspect to consider is a trial period gives the worker a chance to experience the organisation without having to commit; there are times when the chosen applicant declines the offer, due to negative experiences during the trial.

• From the employer’s point of view, the trial allows assessment without having to commit to a contract of employment, which is valuable for the organisation. If your business is still starting out and don’t yet have a dedicated HR department to take care of employment contracts, among others, you can go to an outsource agency such as a UK human resources service.

Hands-On Experience

A person may have all the qualifications needed for the job, yet they could be an introvert who is very difficult to accommodate; how would you know without a trial period of engagement? It can be that a major personality clash emerges when the new player is introduced; it does happen, especially in key management roles.

Employment trials are designed to enable both parties to experience a working relationship without committing to a contract of employment and we hope that you gained something from this article on employment trials.