> The problem with trials is that people often have a current job of some sort and having things not work out puts them in a difficult situation. May happen anyway but, generally, a new job is assumed to be at least a somewhat stable situation.

Totally, and I’d never say “hey I think you might be a fit, let’s try it out for 3 months”. But if we interview someone I’m just doing my best to try and figure out do they get on with the team, do they have the right skill set match for the gap we’re trying to fill and will their working style work in the org. Everything after that is (unfortunately) up to how it goes when we’re working together.

Yeah, probationary periods are one thing. But, if I leave a job and, especially if I relocate, I want a pretty good implicit guarantee however informal that, absent a real mis-meeting of the minds I'm not going to be on the streets in three months.