Page 170 - How To Answer Interview Questions (II)

Job Interview Question 93

When would you be available to start?

This question requires a straightforward, factual response.
If you can start as soon as they’re ready for you to start, then say that.
If you need to give notice to your employer, then let them know how much notice you are
required to give—usually this is two weeks.
However, don’t box yourself into a corner by giving them a firm date, because you don’t know
exactly when you’ll have a firm offer in your hand, and you don’t want to cut yourself too short and
burn bridges at your current company.
So say, “I would be able to give two weeks’ notice as soon as I have a firm offer, so it would be
two weeks after that.”
If it’s longer than two weeks, you need to have a very good reason for that. It could be that your
contract requires a longer time frame, so say so.If you are in the middle of a big project and think
it’s only fair to finish it first, you could give that reason—but you run a risk. Either they’ll think you
are exceptionally loyal and dedicated, or they’ll think you’re not serious about wanting to work for
them. They will definitely think you’re not serious about wanting to work there if you give them an
extended time frame. It may make them think you are shopping around, and will only take their offer
if you don’t get something better.
If there is a question of when you could start, or you think they might be in a particular hurry to
hire someone, answer the question with a question: “When do you need someone to start?” Their
answer might change your answer, depending on how badly you want this job.