The part of job application that asks when can you start

[Darren2013]

When I fill out an application and it asks me when can I start is it best to just put down the earliest available or as soon as possible?

 

Today is August 4th. If I put down September 1st as my desired start date then wouldn't that raise a red flag for employers? They are going to wonder why I'm waiting 1 month before starting and therefore giving them the impression I'm not too keen about working for them.

 

If you were reviewing applications what would go through your mind if someone put down September 1 as their start date? I mean they either want the job or they don't. There's really no reason to wait longer than necessary if there is an opening sooner than September 1.

 

Do employers look at that with suspicion?

[CarrieT]

Oftentimes they are looking at the timeline in this sense:

 

If you are currently working and state you can start immediately - versus giving two weeks' notice - it is telling them you don't respect who you work for or might have some problems with your current employment.

 

The best thing to do is state you can start in two weeks (versus an actual date on a calendar). Then when/if they offer you a job, you can negotiate a later start date if you need more time for some reason.

[d0nnivain]

I also always write on at least 2 weeks notice in that blank.

[44tt]

Use a Monday date that is 2 or 3 weeks in the future

[Darren2013]

But what if I'm not currently working and I am in between jobs and I already took care of the 2 weeks notice before applying for the new job? I mean these are things that would already be documented on the application. There's no good reason why I can't start as soon as the first opening.

[44tt]

But what if I'm not currently working and I am in between jobs and I already took care of the 2 weeks notice before applying for the new job? I mean these are things that would already be documented on the application. There's no good reason why I can't start as soon as the first opening.

 

In that case you can use the date of the following monday which is basically the same as ASAP.

[central]

Unless I'm willing and able to start immediately, I'd still put 2 weeks, or negotiable. After all, I may want a long overdue vacation, and a job search is anything but a vacation.

[amaysngrace]

Ugh...why do people who are between jobs need more time off?

 

Do you not think that makes you look like a lazy slacker to your prospective employer or something?

 

Think again.

[Darren2013]

The vacation thing is something I would already take care of before applying for a new job. I mean you can put a later date at your own risk because you want to take a vacation first but don't be surprised if your spot gets taken by someone else when you get back from vacation. Most opportunities in life are either a now or never deal. Either grab the job opportunity while they are still hiring or be prepared to have your spot filled by someone else by the time you are ready and it is convenient for you. Not a good sign to employers when their workers want things done at their convenience.

[44tt]

The vacation thing is something I would already take care of before applying for a new job. I mean you can put a later date at your own risk because you want to take a vacation first but don't be surprised if your spot gets taken by someone else when you get back from vacation. Most opportunities in life are either a now or never deal. Either grab the job opportunity while they are still hiring or be prepared to have your spot filled by someone else by the time you are ready and it is convenient for you. Not a good sign to employers when their workers want things done at their convenience.

 

I know for me it would be hard to enjoy a vacation if I didn't know in my mind my joib status wasn't confirmed. I always believe you take a vacation from employment not employment searching. So I agree totally

[pink_sugar]

Unless you have a legitimate reason for needing a month before starting, you should start asap. (In ex: in school, caring for a relative or child etc) I accepted a second job recently and told the employer early on that I could start in a week as I have a previous commitment for this week. 2 weeks is fine, but a month is a lot unless you have a current commitment preventing you from working after the notice.

[Darren2013]

Those now hiring signs may be on display today but that could change at anytime even as early as tomorrow.

 

Yeah I can understand waiting a month if there is a legitimate compelling reason for it but waiting a month because you just want to take a vacation first is really not the employer's problem.

[44tt]

Unless you have a legitimate reason for needing a month before starting, you should start asap. (In ex: in school, caring for a relative or child etc) I accepted a second job recently and told the employer early on that I could start in a week as I have a previous commitment for this week. 2 weeks is fine, but a month is a lot unless you have a current commitment preventing you from working after the notice.

 

Yeah I wouldn't go beyond 2 weeks.