The importance of trial periods

"The only thing that can go wrong now is the culture".

These are now famous first words on the first day of work and part of a big lesson in life for me. Sometimes you start with good hopes because a lot of the aspects of the job add up: tech company, perfect location, decent pay, excellent product. Sometimes that is just not enough.

I left TransIP after working there for two weeks (of a four week trial period) based on the realisation the culture within the part of the company I was working did not fit and the culture of the part of the company I was trying to go was even less my cup of tea. After that, you suddenly find a ton of things which don't add up and you decide to leave.

Absolutely no hard feelings towards the company - I am still a happy customer - but it is part of the "game". I feel sorry for the guy at HR who facilitated the hire, he and his colleagues did an excellent job, as well as the fine people I met.

In the mean time I am talking with two - in my eyes - great companies and things are going well. I possibly might have to make a nasty and hard decision in the near future...