How To Answer When Can You Start When Asked In Job Interview
What To Answer When They Ask When Can You Start?
How To Answer When Can You Start When Asked In Job Interview. Interviewers often ask qualified candidates when they can start working to determine how soon they might be able to fill the position. In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide to answering it appropriately and offer a few example answers to help you.
It is possible to negotiate a different start date if you are interested in starting sooner than two weeks (or later). Learning how to respond to this question properly can help you demonstrate to employers that you’re eager to begin working in a position and allow them to establish an appropriate time frame for providing you with a potential offer. If you have a job, say you’re available to start after your notice period with your current employer ends.
What employers want to know
Employers ask when you can potentially start working to determine whether your time frame for beginning a new job aligns with their own. It allows them to assess how prepared you are to leave your current position for a new one.
If you’re currently working with another employer, an interviewer may want to gauge your willingness to leave your position with little prior notice to fill the new position quickly.
What Not to Say When They Ask When Can You Start?
1. Avoid specific dates.
Interviewers are more interested in a time range and your attitude. Unless this question is preceded by “We’d like to offer you the job,” it’s not a job offer.
2. Do not leave your current job without sufficient notice to your employer.
Leaving your current employer too abruptly may come back to bite you hard in your next job search, when someone checks for a reference with that former employer (the former employer you left too quickly won’t be happy with you).
3. Don’t give too many details.
The interviewer doesn’t need to know your full life story. You can simply say, “I’ll need to double-check the specifics of my current contract, but I’d certainly be eager to start right away,”
4. Do not say “Tomorrow!”
Don’t say “TOMORROW!” unless you are unemployed and don’t need any time to prepare to start a new job. Avoid sounding desperate (no one wants to hire someone who is desperate) or too eager (which can make employers suspicious of your motivation) by saying “RIGHT NOW!” — even if that’s exactly what you are thinking. Instead, a very good response would be the counter-question.
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How to Answer Interview Questions “When Can You Start”
1. Understand the interviewing company’s needs.
Consider the immediate hiring needs of the company you’re interviewing with so you can respond in a thorough and thoughtful way. Before your interview, review the job posting again to see if it includes any details about when you can expect to start. Some employers indicate in their postings that they prefer candidates to be willing to start working immediately, while others may provide a preferred starting date range.
2. Be Honest
If you know for sure you need to give two or three weeks’ notice before starting your new job, be honest about it. You don’t want to say you can start immediately and then have to backtrack after you’re offered the job. In general, it’s best to be honest in your interview answers, and it’s especially true when they ask when you can begin working.
3. Be Flexible
Make sure your prospective employer knows you’re willing to work with them to try and accommodate their timeline. After providing your answer, you can ask if that fits their timeline, and you can tell them that you’re willing to discuss and adjust based on their needs.
4. Answering “When Can You Start?” If You’re Unemployed
Even if you’re unemployed, you still shouldn’t say you’re available to start the next day. Saying you’re able to start immediately implies that either this job is your first choice, or that your job search isn’t going very well. This will hurt your negotiating power if you receive a job offer. So if they ask in your interview about a potential start date and you’re not currently working, I’d still recommend saying you’d need one week to prepare yourself.
5. When You Need to Give Notice at Your Current Job
If you’re currently working for another employer, you may want to provide adequate notice to them before leaving your position. The length of your notice depends on your contract with the company, but most employers prefer you to notify them of your intentions at least two weeks in advance.
6. Answering “When Can You Start?” If You’re Currently Employed
While it might be tempting to say you can start immediately, a hiring manager won’t look favorably upon you if you’re willing to leave your current employer without any notice. So if you have a job, say you’re available to start after your notice period with your current employer ends. Never leave for a new position without giving your current employer proper notice.
7. Think about time off
If you’re leaving your previous role, you may want to take some time to decompress and prepare before you begin a new one. Taking some time off by going on vacation or simply spending time with friends and family can help make your transition easier and provide you with the support you need.
8. When You Need to Relocate
Should your new job require relocation, it’s important to give yourself a realistic timeline for the move. Not only will you be preparing for a new job and finding a place to live in a new city, but you’ll need to make specific arrangements if you’re moving with a partner, kids, or pets (or all three!). Relocation for a job is a huge investment—both professionally and personally—so you’ll want to do some research to figure out the estimated time and cost of moving from your current location. That way, if and when you do get the job offer, you’ll be prepared to ask for the time you need, and maybe even relocation assistance.
What if Their Start Date Doesn’t Work for You?
Your start date is negotiable and in most cases, a company will be willing to adjust the schedule for the right person. If you find yourself in this situation you have a few options:
How to answer date availableto start on application
1. Get creative:
Think outside the box to see if there’s any way you can meet their expectations. For example, you may be able to use vacation days from your current company to begin your orientation with your new employer.
2. Compromise if you can:
Are you unable to start on the date they requested but can meet them in the middle? If so, apologize that you’re unable to meet their timeline and present them with a new date that’s closer to what they were hoping for, but comfortable for you, too.
3. Be firm about your start date if necessary:
If you don’t have any wiggle room just be honest about it. If they really want you for the job they’ll most likely be willing to accommodate you.
When Can You Start Working Sample Answer
Sample Answer 1: Unsure about when you can start
“At the moment, I’m not sure of what might be on my calendar that might prevent me from starting in this position. I can check my calendar and let you know more about my current obligations as soon as I get the opportunity. When would you prefer for me to start this position?”
Sample Answer 2: Desiring time off before starting
“I hope to ensure a smooth transition before after leaving my current job and I have some personal matters I hope to attend to before I begin working in a new position. I’m able to start the week of the 24th, and I look forward to meeting the team if you offer me the position. Would that work for your company?”
Sample Answer 3: Providing advance notice
“My current employer expects me to provide at least two weeks’ notice before leaving my job under the terms of my contract. I’m able to start as soon as I meet that requirement, and I look forward to getting to meet the team if you offer me the position. Would beginning the third week of the month work for you?”
Sample Answer 4: Needing additional time to relocate
“Since this position requires me to move to a new state, I’m going to require a few weeks to establish a new residence and relocate my family. Once I do, I’m happy to begin working. What’s your timeline for candidates who are transitioning from my state?”
Sample Answer 5: Starting right away
“I have a flexible schedule, and I hope to start in the new position soon. I’m able to start at the date that’s easiest for you, and I look forward to meeting the team if offered the role. When would be the best date for me to start working here?”
Sample Answer 6:
As per the terms of my current employment contract, I’m obligated to provide three weeks’ notice. Once I’ve fulfilled my obligation, I’ll be available to start.
Example 7:
Since I’ll be relocating, I’ll need to leave my current job and get situated in . If you’re interviewing for a job in another city or state, the hiring manager will expect you to need some time to relocate. It’s best to just be clear about how much time you require.
