emailed by HR about a position--question about delaying start

[Anonymous]

I've been a SAHM for 5 years. Prior to that I worked for about 12 years in the same field.

A friend offered to send my resume to her company and today the hiring manager emailed me and wants to talk with me. She sounds very interested.
It's a niche field and in the past I have found jobs very easily when I was looking. However, I recognize that I've been out of work for 4-5 years. Also this position is slightly different than what I've done in the past.
I'm VERY excited about the company. VERY excited.

My question is--summer is here. I have 3 kids. I have a 4 days of vacation planned and payed for over July 4th and a 2 1/2 weeks scheduled (also payed in advance) for mid August.

It would be PERFECT for me to start working in early September. I was hoping to go back to work in the fall and applied my youngest to a new preschool that offers a full day option (while my other 2 are in elementary) with this in mind.

What do I say to the HR person and when?

thank you for any thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Try to delay everything as much as possible. set up the meeting in two weeks rather than now etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try to delay everything as much as possible. set up the meeting in two weeks rather than now etc.

Also, speak really slowly during the interview.

[Anonymous]

Be honest. Chances are, if your skills are strong, they might wait. Or you can start a little later in the summer and still take your August vacation (unpaid, of course).

If you're serious about the job, you need to make it a priority. It would be ideal to wait till September, but life isn't always ideal.

[Anonymous]

You are jumping the gun. This is a conversation to be had t offer.

[Anonymous]

OP here--thanks for the thoughts.
Yes, I recognize that it's early to be thinking about this. I may be one of 50 candidates. Maybe one of hundreds. They sought me out and were very complimentary and encouraging but who knows.

However, this couldn't have come at a more inconvenient time. I have 3 kids under 7 who are with me full time as of this week (school ended) and almost 4 weeks of vacation planned over the next 2.5 months. So these things weigh on my mind as I contemplate interviewing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Try to delay everything as much as possible. set up the meeting in two weeks rather than now etc.

Also, speak really slowly during the interview.

Then, give the job to someone who really wants to work.

[Anonymous]

Not exactly the same, but when I was loking forjobs the fall after college I had a 3 week vacation planned 2 months later. And I had no trouble negotiating that time as unpaid time off before starting.

Having children now I completely understand where you're coming from / being stressed about childcare, but try to compartmentalize the issues.

Issue 1: You already have vacation time planned and paid for. If they offer you the job and need you to start right away I imagine it will be relatively easy to negotiate for LWOP to allow you to go on those trips.

Issue 2: childcare. I understand that you have things arranged for the falland were probably looking forward to spending the summer with your kids. But if you need to start sooner you can find a summer nanny / college student to watch your kids this summer, and they will probably have an absolute blast with the babysitter.

So one step at a time, and if you get an offer and can start in Sept great. But if not I bet you can work around your vacation/childcare issues relatively easily.

[Anonymous]

Don't talk terms until you've already interviewed, with everyone. Or have an offer in writing.
Then, if you do have a request like that, more people will be pushing for you, you won't be an unknown face.
Also by interviewing you might learn how urgent the job needs to be filled, or if there are creative ways for you to start early. Don't shoot yourself in the foot and stay excited!!

[Anonymous]

I'm a hiring manager and a mother.

Honestly, unless you were extremely extraordinary, I'd pass on you as soon as you shared with me your vacation plans. Sorry to say, but this economy is tight and I want to hire people who are willing and able to work now.

You may have the qualities I need, but you don't sound committed, and I likely have at least three other equally qualified people standing right behind you who are actually hungry for a good job.

[Anonymous]

If you get the job that quickly, hire a college student to nanny for the kids and start when they want you to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here--thanks for the thoughts.
Yes, I recognize that it's early to be thinking about this. I may be one of 50 candidates. Maybe one of hundreds. They sought me out and were very complimentary and encouraging but who knows.

However, this couldn't have come at a more inconvenient time. I have 3 kids under 7 who are with me full time as of this week (school ended) and almost 4 weeks of vacation planned over the next 2.5 months. So these things weigh on my mind as I contemplate interviewing.

HR bitch here. If we like you, we will wait for you. We may ask you to come in to do your training before your official start date, or start reading up on some periodicals in your field. You may as well get your ducks lined up now in terms of babysitters and such. Because at some point your kid will be too sick for daycare, and you will not be able to stay home and will need a babysitter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a hiring manager and a mother.

Honestly, unless you were extremely extraordinary, I'd pass on you as soon as you shared with me your vacation plans. Sorry to say, but this economy is tight and I want to hire people who are willing and able to work now.

You may have the qualities I need, but you don't sound committed, and I likely have at least three other equally qualified people standing right behind you who are actually hungry for a good job.

OP, I also hire people and I would definitely negotiate a later start date if I liked you. With getting references and back ground checks, it would take a couple of months any way to get someone on board. Besides, most people need to give notice to their current employers in any case p, with some needing to give up to 3 months. Also, when you are recruiting over the summer, you Know people may have vacation plans.
I wouldn't worry about it OP. most hiring managers a more flexible than the PP.

[Anonymous]

Dont worry too much about it yet. If you are just getting called, odds are slim they will finish the hiring process much earlier than july. They would have to factor in most people not being able to start for at least another. 2 weeks, and then its probably august. At that point, you can just negotiate the august vacation or push back the start date to september. This doesnt sound like a problem to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dont worry too much about it yet. If you are just getting called, odds are slim they will finish the hiring process much earlier than july. They would have to factor in most people not being able to start for at least another. 2 weeks, and then its probably august. At that point, you can just negotiate the august vacation or push back the start date to september. This doesnt sound like a problem to me.

I agree. Too many hypotheticals here. Get through the interviews and hiring process before mention of start date. At that point you can mention your previous commitments and ask for some flexibility. Just be prepared for some push back, especially if you and they are more than a week or so apart on optimum start date. Remember you are the one who has been a SAHM for 5 years. I was in your shoes and when I finally got a contract job after 4years off I jumped -- found a nanny share and dove in ASAP.