Job application advice. Trial day?
Discussion
My son has been through two interviews with a prospective new employer.
He had to go to the place again for what he thought (was told) would be them putting an offer on the table. All good, he hates the place he is at now and was really keen and excited at the new job prospect.
At the end of todays meeting the owner sort of suddenly said 'oh, er come up next week for a trial day to introduce you to the team and can you see what ideas you can get together towards your new role?
This has left him very confused and upset by being led to believe they were offering him something just to drag it out until next week for this trial day. What do they expect him to get together in two working days? Four including the weekend. The first two interviews went well and he was told there was an offer on the table why change their minds.
Opinions please.
He had to go to the place again for what he thought (was told) would be them putting an offer on the table. All good, he hates the place he is at now and was really keen and excited at the new job prospect.
At the end of todays meeting the owner sort of suddenly said 'oh, er come up next week for a trial day to introduce you to the team and can you see what ideas you can get together towards your new role?
This has left him very confused and upset by being led to believe they were offering him something just to drag it out until next week for this trial day. What do they expect him to get together in two working days? Four including the weekend. The first two interviews went well and he was told there was an offer on the table why change their minds.
Opinions please.
Dear Mr Boss, it was a pleasure to meet you today and the opportunity is very exciting. Ahead of meeting the team next week it would be beneficial for both of us if you could share details of the employment package on offer this week so I can consider it over the weekend.
Yours annoyed,
Jnr
Yours annoyed,
Jnr
Being introduced to the team is usually part of the induction day.
Wary of trial days. They can be used by unscrupulous employers as a free worker day, especially if there’s multiple candidates. Seems to getting more common as well.
There’s not a lot an employer will learn in a day either. That’s what the probation period is there for.
Go in with eyes wide open.
Wary of trial days. They can be used by unscrupulous employers as a free worker day, especially if there’s multiple candidates. Seems to getting more common as well.
There’s not a lot an employer will learn in a day either. That’s what the probation period is there for.
Go in with eyes wide open.
I think trial days are a cheek and not a good start to employment.
I work in the restaurant trade, and it is genuinely accepted that after an interview the candidate will come and work a 'trial' shift before a job offer.
The thing is, you can nearly always tell who is going to pass the 'trial' shift at the interview, so essentially most restaurants are just getting a shift covered for free.
I appreciate it sounds like your son is in a different industry, but I think they are unnecessary.
I work in the restaurant trade, and it is genuinely accepted that after an interview the candidate will come and work a 'trial' shift before a job offer.
The thing is, you can nearly always tell who is going to pass the 'trial' shift at the interview, so essentially most restaurants are just getting a shift covered for free.
I appreciate it sounds like your son is in a different industry, but I think they are unnecessary.
Agreed trial day sounds a little bit cheeky without any further clarification
We do get people in certain positions at my work in for a trial day sometimes,
but they are made fully aware that it is a trial day doing the job they would be employed for and they will be paid for this day even if they don't get the job
We do get people in certain positions at my work in for a trial day sometimes,
but they are made fully aware that it is a trial day doing the job they would be employed for and they will be paid for this day even if they don't get the job
When I was young and stupid I was given a 'trial' 55 hour week, while on a sort of garden leave from my previous employer. I was led to believe this was to learn the complex machinery and understand the technical aspects of the job. Turns out the job could actually be done by an ape, so they had me making everyone brews, lifting heavy stuff and de gunging building site tools. They did employ me afterwards, but in my eagerness they managed to get a buckshee week out of me.
At around £5.60 an hour, I binned it after a year for a job with fewer hours for more than double the pay.
At around £5.60 an hour, I binned it after a year for a job with fewer hours for more than double the pay.
As an employer, I've often used the "trial day" offer for roles at all levels. The process is meant to enhance the INTER-view. Both sides need to get a clear idea about how the other fits. A trial day boosts and enhances that. All that suspicious crap is just that. No employer thinks that a complete stranger might have a fantastic idea that can be ripped off and then the “superstar” thinker/mug just gets dumped.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I suppose it depends entirely on what the job is.If the job was wheelbarrowing gravel on a building site all day, or washing pots in a kitchen, then it would take 10 minutes to explain the task and the candidate would then spend the rest of the day working and providing a benefit to a business.
If it was a complex role, then yes, it could take weeks before the employee was providing a benefit rather than a drain on the business.
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