Negotiating start date

[Anonymous]

What's the standard lag for a start date for a new job?

For a few different reasons I'd like to delay the start date - ideally for 6-8 weeks from whenever an offer comes in - but am trying to understand what's standard for private/ in-house positions.

[Anonymous]

The only time I tried to negotiate for a later start date (I was thinking 3 weeks vs 2), my new employer refused. They were hiring me because they wanted someone in there to do the work, and they'd already been short-staffed during the search process. We compromised at my taking 2 weeks at my old job plus one day for myself before I started with them.

[Anonymous]

I delayed 2 weeks from.the proposed start date, which was already 3 weeks from when I was offered the job. No way would I have been able to delay more as my industry has a very lengthy onboarding process.

[Anonymous]

That's a long time to delay after an offer. For my most recent job, I was asked when I would be available to start and I told them my preference. And then, the offer was issued two weeks before that date.

[Anonymous]

6-8 is long. I think standard is 2-3 weeks. You can ask, but they may very well say no.

[Anonymous]

You’ll never have as much power as when you have an offer. Ask. The worst thing that happens is they say no and you compromise on an earlier start date.

[Anonymous]

You sound like a lawyer? For a firm I think this might be very doable. In-house, they may have more urgency to get someone into a position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:6-8 is long. I think standard is 2-3 weeks. You can ask, but they may very well say no.

+2
2 weeks b/c out of fairness to your old employer you want to provide a 2 week notice. It's how to show you can be professional in the way to handle a transition.

[Anonymous]

If they really want you, I think you can meet in the middle. The hiring process can be long, but it depends on whether they'd be just as happy with the #2 candidate or if they'd declare a failed search (I've seen both happen).

At more senior levels, it's not unheard of for the notice period to be 4 weeks long, and then the candidate wants to take 1-2 weeks after to decompress or travel before starting the new job. 6 weeks, in my experience, is not unheard of at a more senior level.

At a more junior level, I think 4 weeks isn't atypical (2 week notice period, 2 weeks between jobs).

I think it also depends on whether there's a compelling reason to delay. Do you have a pre-planned vacation (in which case, the company will often want you on board and then will let you take the vacation even if you don't have time accrued)? Are you moving or relocating?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they really want you, I think you can meet in the middle. The hiring process can be long, but it depends on whether they'd be just as happy with the #2 candidate or if they'd declare a failed search (I've seen both happen).

At more senior levels, it's not unheard of for the notice period to be 4 weeks long, and then the candidate wants to take 1-2 weeks after to decompress or travel before starting the new job. 6 weeks, in my experience, is not unheard of at a more senior level.

At a more junior level, I think 4 weeks isn't atypical (2 week notice period, 2 weeks between jobs).

I think it also depends on whether there's a compelling reason to delay. Do you have a pre-planned vacation (in which case, the company will often want you on board and then will let you take the vacation even if you don't have time accrued)? Are you moving or relocating?

Thanks this is helpful. Yes it's w/r/t senior lawyer positions. It seems like I may have multiple offers out at the same time, and a later start date would be a significant pro, so I can ask and take it from there.

[Anonymous]

Get a feel for how quickly you can leave your current job. A lot of jobs want 2 weeks but realistically do not need it - and they don't mind if you make it 1 week. You won't burn any bridges.

[Anonymous]

It also depends on why. Because you want to galavant around Europe, probably not. If you stay 7 more weeks for a $150k bonus, probably ok, but you'll need to fess up, and they might match it, might say yes, might say no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the standard lag for a start date for a new job?

For a few different reasons I'd like to delay the start date - ideally for 6-8 weeks from whenever an offer comes in - but am trying to understand what's standard for private/ in-house positions.

that is long. maybe 3-4 weeks?

[Anonymous]

I negotiated a start date four weeks after the offer because it was my former employer’s policy to ask for four weeks notice (which is ridiculous).

My new employer didn’t need to know I negotiated two weeks notice and took two weeks OFF before starting. I’m glad I did!