When you get hired when can you start?

“When can you start?” may seem like a simple interview question, but if handled incorrectly, how you answer could cost you the position. So, like any of the most common interview questions, it’s best to prepare ahead of time.

But what’s the best way to answer? I’ll go over some tips so you know what to say and what not to say. I’ll also give you example answers you can use for different situations to help you better prepare for your next interview.

The best way to answer, “When can you start working?” is to be truthful and clear while providing the employer the soonest possible date that you could realistically and comfortably start the job. You don’t want to commit to a start date that will put your current employer in a tough spot, but you also want to give yourself adequate time to wrap up any existing commitments, provide your current employer with two weeks’ notice if needed, and prepare to start your new job. You also shouldn’t burn any bridges. However, your potential new employer likely has a date they’d like you to start by, and if you’re unable to accommodate that they might look to another candidate.

As you can see, there are a lot of factors to consider, so let’s look at some specific scenarios below to help you prepare the best answer possible for your situation.

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. Doing so may also jeopardize your chances of getting a positive reference from that employer in the future, and it also won’t look great to your next company. As a former recruiter, I would think poorly of a candidate willing to leave their current job without a notice, even if it meant they could start right away at the new position.

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.

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. So you don’t need to provide an answer and just hope they like it. That’s one of my favorite pieces of interview advice in general; it’s okay to ask the interviewer for feedback and have a real discussion, instead of simply answering a question and then waiting silently for the interviewer to ask the next one.

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.

During the job interview process, employers are just looking for a time range. You don’t have to agree on a date until you actually receive an offer. You can simply say, “I’m able to begin my next job two to three weeks after being offered a position. Does that fit with the timeframe you have in mind?”

There’s no need to give specific details about why you can’t start a job right away. They don’t need to know your life story, just a rough estimate of when you’ll be ready to begin work. After an official offer is made, you can provide the interviewer with more detail and close in on the exact date you want to start.

Most jobs expect you to give at least two weeks’ notice. However, some may require more. If that’s the case it should be in your contract. Make sure you know exactly how much notice you need to give before committing to a start date with your new company.

If there’s nothing in your current contract around giving notice then two weeks is the standard. Hiring managers expect you to give some notice and will have no issue with you asking for two weeks.

Starting a new job is exciting, but don’t get ahead of yourself. Wait to give notice until you have a job offer in writing. Make sure you’re happy with it and everything you agreed upon is included before breaking the news to your current employer.

There are a number of situations you might find yourself in during your job search. You may be currently employed, you could be out of work, or you might need to relocate. Each of these scenarios will require a different answer.

Below are a few examples of how to answer this question during an interview:

Example 1:

Why it’s a good answer: It shows you respect your current employer enough not to leave them high and dry. It also conveys that you’re excited to start your new job.

Example 2:

Why it’s a good answer: It shows you’re eager to get started but makes it clear that you’re unwilling to break your employment agreement.

Example 3:

Why it’s a good answer: It honestly describes your current situation and shows you’re a team player.

Example 1:

Why it’s a good answer: It lets the employer know you’re able to start soon but doesn’t come across as overly desperate.

Example 2:

Why it’s a good answer: In some cases, the company needs someone immediately. If you know that’s the case then by all means let them know you’re available. This answer works because it conveys you can start right away without providing too many details.

Example 1:

Why it’s a good answer: 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.

Example 2:

Why it’s a good answer: You may be unsure how much time you’ll need, or how quickly you’re expected to be available for the job. By simply asking them you can see when they’d like you to start and determine whether that works for you.

Example 1:

Why it’s a good answer: It honestly conveys that you’ll need some time before beginning work, but it also lets them know you’re willing to be flexible.

Example 2:

Why it’s a good answer: Many employers won’t have a problem sharing when they’d like to have the position filled by. Their timeline might be longer than you expect and will allow to you take the time you need before transitioning into your new role.

After you give your answer the interviewer may reveal that they were hoping to fill the position sooner.

First of all, don’t panic. 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:

Remember, there will always be other job opportunities. If you can’t come to an agreement about when you should start then the job likely isn’t for you. Also, if they’re pressuring you to start right away without giving your current employer ample notice they’re probably not a company you want to work for.

As you advance through your interviews, you can almost guarantee you’ll be asked when you could potentially start, so make sure you know what you should and shouldn’t say, and then have the right answer ready.

The best way to handle interview questions about your availability is to prepare for them ahead of time. So consider your current contract and notice required by your employer, plus your personal obligations and schedule, and then provide an honest answer to this question. You’ll be more likely to win the job if you’re ready with a clear, direct answer.

“When can you start?” may seem like a simple interview question, but if handled incorrectly, how you answer could cost you the position. So, like any of the most common interview questions, it’s best to prepare ahead of time.

But what’s the best way to answer? I’ll go over some tips so you know what to say and what not to say. I’ll also give you example answers you can use for different situations to help you better prepare for your next interview.

The best way to answer, “When can you start working?” is to be truthful and clear while providing the employer the soonest possible date that you could realistically and comfortably start the job. You don’t want to commit to a start date that will put your current employer in a tough spot, but you also want to give yourself adequate time to wrap up any existing commitments, provide your current employer with two weeks’ notice if needed, and prepare to start your new job. You also shouldn’t burn any bridges. However, your potential new employer likely has a date they’d like you to start by, and if you’re unable to accommodate that they might look to another candidate.

As you can see, there are a lot of factors to consider, so let’s look at some specific scenarios below to help you prepare the best answer possible for your situation.

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. Doing so may also jeopardize your chances of getting a positive reference from that employer in the future, and it also won’t look great to your next company. As a former recruiter, I would think poorly of a candidate willing to leave their current job without a notice, even if it meant they could start right away at the new position.

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.

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. So you don’t need to provide an answer and just hope they like it. That’s one of my favorite pieces of interview advice in general; it’s okay to ask the interviewer for feedback and have a real discussion, instead of simply answering a question and then waiting silently for the interviewer to ask the next one.

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.

During the job interview process, employers are just looking for a time range. You don’t have to agree on a date until you actually receive an offer. You can simply say, “I’m able to begin my next job two to three weeks after being offered a position. Does that fit with the timeframe you have in mind?”

There’s no need to give specific details about why you can’t start a job right away. They don’t need to know your life story, just a rough estimate of when you’ll be ready to begin work. After an official offer is made, you can provide the interviewer with more detail and close in on the exact date you want to start.

Most jobs expect you to give at least two weeks’ notice. However, some may require more. If that’s the case it should be in your contract. Make sure you know exactly how much notice you need to give before committing to a start date with your new company.

If there’s nothing in your current contract around giving notice then two weeks is the standard. Hiring managers expect you to give some notice and will have no issue with you asking for two weeks.

Starting a new job is exciting, but don’t get ahead of yourself. Wait to give notice until you have a job offer in writing. Make sure you’re happy with it and everything you agreed upon is included before breaking the news to your current employer.

There are a number of situations you might find yourself in during your job search. You may be currently employed, you could be out of work, or you might need to relocate. Each of these scenarios will require a different answer.

Below are a few examples of how to answer this question during an interview:

Example 1:

Why it’s a good answer: It shows you respect your current employer enough not to leave them high and dry. It also conveys that you’re excited to start your new job.

Example 2:

Why it’s a good answer: It shows you’re eager to get started but makes it clear that you’re unwilling to break your employment agreement.

Example 3:

Why it’s a good answer: It honestly describes your current situation and shows you’re a team player.

Example 1:

Why it’s a good answer: It lets the employer know you’re able to start soon but doesn’t come across as overly desperate.

Example 2:

Why it’s a good answer: In some cases, the company needs someone immediately. If you know that’s the case then by all means let them know you’re available. This answer works because it conveys you can start right away without providing too many details.

Example 1:

Why it’s a good answer: 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.

Example 2:

Why it’s a good answer: You may be unsure how much time you’ll need, or how quickly you’re expected to be available for the job. By simply asking them you can see when they’d like you to start and determine whether that works for you.

Example 1:

Why it’s a good answer: It honestly conveys that you’ll need some time before beginning work, but it also lets them know you’re willing to be flexible.

Example 2:

Why it’s a good answer: Many employers won’t have a problem sharing when they’d like to have the position filled by. Their timeline might be longer than you expect and will allow to you take the time you need before transitioning into your new role.

After you give your answer the interviewer may reveal that they were hoping to fill the position sooner.

First of all, don’t panic. 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:

Remember, there will always be other job opportunities. If you can’t come to an agreement about when you should start then the job likely isn’t for you. Also, if they’re pressuring you to start right away without giving your current employer ample notice they’re probably not a company you want to work for.

This may be a question on a job application, too. Applicants are often asked what date they are available to start work if they were to be hired. The most common time frame for starting a new position is two weeks after you have accepted the job offer. That's because companies assume you will offer two weeks' notice to your current employer.

Depending on the employer, you may have some flexibility. It is possible to negotiate a different start date if you are interested in starting sooner than two weeks (or later), have an employment contract that requires you to stay for a longer period of time, or want to take time off before you begin a new position.

First and foremost, the interviewer wants to know when you’ll be available to work. They’ll likely be hoping that you’re able to start sooner rather than later.

But, they’ll also pay attention to how you answer, not just when you’ll be ready for work. If you seem willing to leave your current employer high and dry, the interviewer will worry that you’ll do the same to your new employer, should you get the job. This is another reason why it’s best to give two weeks’ notice (or whatever is required by any employment contract).

What should you do if your current employer wants you to stay longer? How about when you want to take some time off between jobs? There are several different options to choose from when you're discussing the start date of a new position.

Generally, the best response is to convey a willingness to start work as soon as possible. The employer will be thrilled with your flexibility, and it will help ensure a smooth transition to the new role.

However, if you do have another job while you're in the application process for a new one, you need to be tactful with your answer. This type of question can be a mechanism to test your ethics.

Providing very little or even no notice when you quit can leave companies in the lurch and make transitions painful. It can also jeopardize your chances of getting a good reference from your former employer.

If you’re out of work or if your current job is about to end, then, of course, it’s fine to tell the employer you can start immediately or as soon as they would like.

You may have a commitment that requires giving an even longer notice. In that situation, if it's an option to use vacation days for training/orientation, let the prospective employer know about your availability.

Keep in mind that while you should offer a two week notice, your current employer may offer you the option to leave earlier. It’s unlikely, but there are cases when an employee is told to leave right away once they give notice. If that happens after you’ve been hired, you could mention that you’re available to start earlier than you expected. Again, don’t mention any exceptions to the standard guidelines at this point in time.

Often, employees are eager to take some time off between jobs. You may want to take a vacation, some time to recharge, or need to relocate.

Or, you may simply want to take some time to decompress, so you'll feel fresh and recharged on your first day in the new position. This scenario is a bit more challenging to navigate.

It’s not a good idea to share that information before you have a firm job offer. Instead, you can turn the question around and ask the interviewer about the preferred start date for the position. You may find that their time window is more flexible than you thought.

Overall, it's generally acceptable to indicate your need for an adjustment period as long you also express great enthusiasm for the job and some flexibility to accommodate the employer. And, you can always frame your response as beneficial to the employer, since a few extra days will leave you ready to hit the ground running.

Why It Works: Your enthusiasm and desire to start ASAP are more than apparent in this answer. While the hiring manager might wish that you could start sooner, they’ll respect the fact that you’re loyal to your current employer. Remember that interviewers will assume that you’ll treat them the way you treat past employers. So, be positive even if you have gripes with the company or your contract.

Why It Works: Any hiring manager will be delighted to hear that you’re available immediately. However, this answer doesn’t provide excessive detail about why you’re able to start right away. There’s no need to remind the interviewer that you’re unemployed, for example.

Why It Works: Again, hiring managers want to know that you’ll be loyal to their company and treat your new coworkers with consideration. This answer makes it clear that you won’t leave your team in the lurch.

Be flexible and accommodating. Your response to this interview question should address the employer’s needs. Thus, do aim to be as flexible and accommodating as possible in your answer. Avoid making it about you, even if you do have conflicts that will prohibit you from starting earlier.

Be honest. If you know you will need an extra week after your two weeks' notice and won't be able to start until three weeks after the job offer is accepted, be straightforward during the interview and application process. If you are not, you could start the job off on the wrong foot— with your manager feeling that you are dishonest.

Don't give too many details. The interviewer doesn't need to know your full life story. There's no need to go into all the nitty-gritty details of your planned move, the honeymoon you have on the calendar, or the ins and outs of your contract with your current employer. 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," or "I do have a trip on the calendar in August, so we may need to schedule around that, but I'd be eager to start right away."

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. So, you do not need to give an exact date at this point—just let the interviewer know if you'd be able to start right away, in two weeks, or if you'll need a bit more time.

The interviewer smiled and jotted down my answer in her notes. Ultimately, I didn’t get the job. Whether it was because of my response on availability, I’ll never know. Yet I realized that as simple as “When can you start?” sounds, it’s a question that still requires strategy.

If you’re like me, you may be tempted to answer that you can start immediately. After all, most of us believe the best way to land a job is to be as flexible, eager, and accommodating as possible. But most of the time, that’s not a realistic option—in which case, it’s ideal to communicate in a way that shows your excitement for the job while still being thoughtful about the start date you have in mind.

“You can approach it from a couple different angles,” says Muse career coach Angela Smith. “Of course, you want to think about what works for you. But you also want to consider the employer’s perspective because they likely have a timeline and ideal date for when they would like a candidate to start.”

Smith points out that most employers are simply asking this question to get a feel for whether your timeline aligns with theirs. So there’s no one perfect answer to this question. But whatever your response, it should be as polished as your answers to other interview questions. Here are a few examples of what to say, depending on your situation.

My rushed interview answer was partly due to being on the job hunt for a while and the desire to start ASAP. Still, there’s a fine line between enthusiasm to start a new job and desperation. It’s best to play it slightly cool, even if you’re available right now.

“They may want someone to start right away, but they don’t need to know all the details of your life, even if you’ve been job hunting for a while,” Smith says. “You want to give yourself a breather, and also set the expectation that you won’t be at the employer’s beck and call.”

If you’re ready to start a job sooner than later, it’s great to communicate that—calmly and professionally. Try this answer to convey your prompt availability:

“After learning more about this role, I am confident it would be a great fit for my experience and skill set. I can be available to start as soon as the beginning of the next work week.”

A common scenario is if you’re currently employed and need to give your notice of resignation prior to starting the new job. A two-week notice is typically the minimum amount of time to give your employer. However, depending on your position and responsibilities, you may feel you need to stay a week or two longer to help complete any major projects.

The interviewer probably expects that you will need to give notice at your current job, so it’s fine to let them know you will finish your last couple weeks there prior to coming on board. An answer in this scenario should go something like:

“I am excited for the opportunity to join your team. I have several projects to wrap up in my current role at [Company]. I plan to give them [number of weeks] notice to make a smooth transition for my co-workers and will be happy to come onboard with the team here after that time.”

If you’re coming from a previous role, you may be looking forward to taking a few days or even weeks to decompress before jumping into the new one. While there’s nothing wrong with taking a breather between jobs, this one is a bit trickier than having a current job as the reason for delay.

“I would phrase it as needing a couple weeks to handle prior arranged plans,” Smith advises. “An established commitment, as opposed to just wanting time off, positions it a little better. Most employers understand that job searching doesn’t fit into life neatly and will be willing to work with your schedule.”

An example of this answer could be:

“I’m really looking forward to being part of the team. However, I do have some previously scheduled commitments to attend to after giving notice at my current job. My ideal start date would be [number of weeks] from a potential offer.”

Be prepared, though, that they may want someone who’s available more quickly. If they ask, “Can you start sooner?” (and you honestly could), you might say something like: “While my ideal start date is [date], I do have some flexibility, and I’d be happy to figure out a date that works with your timeline.”

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.

This can feel like an exciting and promising question to be asked in a job interview.

Do NOT see this question as the guarantee of a job offer!

Many employers ask most — if not all — job candidates this question, just in case the candidate is the one selected for this job.

This seems like a simple question to answer, but, in reality, answering appropriately takes time, effort, and information.

It’s easy to get intimidated into over-committing to an early start date, but you want to get the new job off to a great beginning. In addition, you don’t want to create any long term problems with your existing employer (if you are currently employed).

Be very careful when answering. Think about what you absolutely need and what you would like.

It’s better to initially ask for more time than you think you will need, allowing yourself time to shut down your job search, take care of family or home issues that have been on hold, and maybe take a day or two for some “R and R.” Then, if your new employer wants you to start earlier, you can adjust to a shorter time frame.

It is very difficult later to go from telling an employer you can start in two days to asking for more time, like a week. Not a good start! It is much better and easier to initially ask for two weeks and adjust to a shorter time frame if the new employer requests or if you are able.

Be cautious of an employer who does not appreciate your commitment and loyalty to your current employer.

The “right” answer depends on several things.

Your answer depends on:

If you signed an employment contract when you started your current job, hopefully you retained a copy that you can check. Or, research to discover any local government regulations or union rules that may apply to you and your job.

Where you work, look and ask as carefully and subtly as possible about applicable policies or rules. If possible, ask former employees what rules or restrictions they encountered.

Once you know the answer to those questions, you can share it with your new employer:

Stay truthful, but don’t share too much information.

Know that the real starting date may change as their hiring process or the job offer negotiations take a few days (or weeks) to conclude.

You should have many more options since you have no obligation to give a current employer appropriate notice. You may want to begin working immediately, so you can pay your bills.

However, don’t underestimate the time you might need to shut down your job search gracefully and get back into work mode.

If you can afford it, a few days of real relaxation and preparation for being employed can be very helpful. This time before you start your new job can be a wonderful catch-your-breath break.

So taking those needs into consideration, frame your answer like this:

Do not include any personal details. You’re not best friends with these people (yet).

If you ask the when-do-you-need-me question, be prepared with your answer. The employer may give you a start date, which may or may not be real, but the date is too soon for you.

If their date is not acceptable, provide them with an alternative date. You don’t need to give a reason, simply state,

If you are currently employed, a very good reason you cannot start immediately is because you need to give your current employer sufficient notice (two weeks is standard). You can explain that situation simply.

OR, as recommended by Pam Lassiter of Lassiter Consulting Services…

Most (but not all) employers will respect and appreciate your consideration for your current employer, knowing how annoying and disruptive it can be when an employee leaves without sufficient notice.

On the other hand, some employers may use the delay in starting as a reason to choose another candidate, which may be an indication that the employer or the manager is not very flexible or respectful of their employees. Or, they may have a very tight schedule and are unable to be flexible. You need to decide what you think the situation is and how important your need for more time is to you.

Typically, leaving your current employer without sufficient notice is a bad idea that may mean poor references from that employer for many years in the future. Depending on your employer, once you give notice, they may terminate you, enabling you to move on to the new job immediately. So, a response could be…

Choose the option that is most appropriate for you.

On the other hand, if their start date works for you, confirm the date.

While you may be very tempted, do NOT do either of these two things:

This is often asked of all qualified candidates, but do be well-prepared for this question so that you can make an excellent impression and, hopefully, a smooth transition if an offer is made.

So taking those needs into consideration, frame your answer like this: I am available to start whenever you need me to start, including tomorrow. I need (or would greatly appreciate) a few days (or a week or two) to clear the decks before I start, but I can be flexible if you need me before then.

• Thank them for their job offer.
• Clarify their proposed start date.
• State your desired start date.
• State your reasoning for the alternative start date.
• Ask to complete additional tasks in the meantime.