{"id":26577,"date":"2022-04-08T09:10:20","date_gmt":"2022-04-08T07:10:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/?p=26577"},"modified":"2022-04-08T09:10:20","modified_gmt":"2022-04-08T07:10:20","slug":"blog-what-to-do-when-youre-struggling-in-tech-probation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wbscodingschool.com\/blog\/blog-what-to-do-when-youre-struggling-in-tech-probation\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Do When You\u2019re Struggling In Tech Probation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Probation periods can be uneven. Some people experience them no differently than regular time on the job, while others go through them feeling extremely self-conscious (and sometimes awfully anxious).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whichever way you approach them, in any case, there\u2019s no doubt that probation periods are a bad time to encounter trouble. Struggling on your new job will dent your confidence, which will make you struggle more, which could ultimately lead to your boss dropping the bomb that you didn\u2019t pass probation \u2013 and then it\u2019s back to looking for jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This can be especially angst-inducing in a field as competitive as that of tech \u2013 so what can be done if your probation period is turning out to be a much bumpier road then you were hoping for?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s take a look at a few of the steps you can take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This one is by far the most important item on this list, and honestly I\u2019d be satisfied if it were your only takeaway. People who are on probation have the unfortunate (if understandable) habit of covering up their problems and not asking for help when they\u2019re struggling, thinking that doing so will be interpreted as a sign that they can\u2019t do their job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, not asking for help is far more likely to lose you your job than to preserve it. Start by talking to your fellow team members. Explain what you\u2019re struggling with and what sort of help you need. Be friendly and humble, but not needy, pushy, or servile. And don\u2019t ask at random \u2013 wherever possible, identify the team members who are most suitable to help you with your particular problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If that doesn\u2019t get you unstuck, it\u2019s time to ask your manager for help. Do a little bit of preparation, as you will want to go into detail regarding what the problem is and (this is super important!) what steps you took to address it. It\u2019s your manager\u2019s job to make sure you can perform at your best, so turn to them when and as you need \u2013 including during probation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take Initiative<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Some parts of your job will likely be streamlined and you will have no control over them. In other areas, however, you should realistically have a measure of freedom to organise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If things aren\u2019t working out for you, then within the limits of that freedom you should try and change the way you work. Routine, schedule, workload, collaboration \u2013 talk to your manager before turning any of these things upside down, naturally, but make adjustments where you have to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make sure none of your work hours are idle \u2013 if they are, find a way to fill them. Look for ways to go the extra mile, and take up some tasks you may not be expected to, at least as soon as you are reasonably capable with your core duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One caveat only: although you want to go the extra mile, I do not recommend working overtime for no extra pay. It might seem like a possible emergency measure to save your job (and maybe in some rare cases it is), but mostly you\u2019re just setting a bad precedent. It tells the rest of the team that you can\u2019t finish your work on time, and your manager that you are willing to be exploited. There are better ways to show a special effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take Perspective<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAdobe Stock \/ Kevin Carden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Unless you lied about your skills at the interview, there is a solid chance that most of your probationary struggles are psychological. You may feel that whatever problem you have been given to resolve is insurmountable, but that\u2019s just not very likely \u2013 new hires are usually not given the hardest problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I understand that being told \u201cDon’t panic!\u201d isn\u2019t very helpful if you are an inherently anxious person, but at least be aware that the challenge, or much of the challenge, is probably in your head. (The possibility exists that your company may have given a disproportionately difficult challenge to a newbie, in which case, see above \u2013 talk to your boss).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the subject of perspective, understand too that your manager and your company want you to succeed. You have people on your side, and they believe in you. The last thing they want to do is to waste more time and money going back to the job market to look for somebody else for your role. This is why my first item of advice was to ask for help \u2013 if you need it, well, usually you can find it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take Care Of Yourself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re stressed about being in probation, then you may attempt to compensate by over-exerting. That means skipping breaks, not stepping away from work until absolutely every<\/em> last thing is finished, or working extra hours. This in turn will have the effect of disrupting your sleeping and eating patterns, further increasing your stress in a vicious cycle, and damaging not just your productivity but your personal life as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you notice yourself falling into that sort of pattern, it\u2019s time to take your foot off the gas pedal. Schedule regular breaks and use them to do something away from the computer. Get some exercise, even if it\u2019s just taking walks. Make sure you eat and sleep properly. Also, look into stress-relieving routines \u2013 meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, or whatever does the trick for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As an addendum to the above, if you\u2019re worried about keeping your job, it\u2019s probably a good idea to take care of your presentation as well. Dress reasonably smart, and don\u2019t neglect your hygiene. Even if you work from home and this only matters for Zoom calls, it will still give off a professional vibe to your manager, and help boost your own confidence as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Move On If Necessary<\/h2>\n\n\n\nAdobe Stock \/ stockphoto-graf<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes you have done all of the above, but it\u2019s just not enough. If that is so, understand that a setback is not a tragedy. Many if not most people will experience what it\u2019s like to not pass their probation at least once or twice in their careers. It\u2019s perfectly possible that you simply applied for the wrong job this time, or that the recruiter misjudged. The job market is not infallible, and neither are you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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