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0 pointsdiggernet1y ago0 comments

The "standard" probation period is 90 days. Outside of the modern silicon valley bubble, lots of companies hire with a probation period. Inside the bubble, the equivalent is contract-to-hire. But I really wish companies would just go back to the old days of probation.

My current job was contract-to-hire. Officially an 18 month period, but they converted me to employee after 3 months.

How it helps the candidate is exactly the same as how it helps the company: The interview process was a half hour phone screen, a 1-2 hour onsite with two people from the team, and a half hour followup call with the hiring manager who hadn't been able to join the onsite.

You know those week-long all-day interview processes many of us hate? Not necessary at all if the company is willing to give people a try and just move on if it doesn't work out.

You know how companies complain that they can't find good hires because their ridiculous interview process filters out the good ones and keeps the great ones from even applying? Having a sane short interview with probationary hire costs way less productive time and gets people onboard fast. And if someone doesn't work out, you can have another candidate take their place next week. It doesn't need to take months.

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sokoloff1y ago

The candidate is still “buying” when they resign their current role to take the new one.

This is “try before you buy” for the employer but much, much less so for the employee.

marssaxman1y ago

> Having a sane short interview with probationary hire costs way less productive time and gets people onboard fast.

That sounds like a ridiculous interview process which would filter me out from even applying. I'm not going to give up the job I already have and go through all the hassle that comes with a job change for the possibility of a new position.

diggernetOP1y ago

Because you are afraid of being dropped out there into a months-long grind to find anything. I'm saying that if tech companies hired like normal, sane companies, that would not be a fear. Sure, they might not keep you through probation (and YOU have a lot of influence over that). But if not, you go start at another company. That's the benefit I'm talking about with not having stupid long, arduous interview processes: Not having stupid long, arduous interview processes.

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