Offered a new job-how to set a start date?

Question

I was offered a new job today (the salary exceeded my expectations and I was able to negotiate some benefits in as well). I wanted to see how to handle a start date-they want me to start in 2 weeks. I would like to take 3-for a few reasons. I would like a few "down days" between the 2 jobs as my current job is high stress and I want to decompress and go in fresh to the new job. I will be changing insurance and want to get in some doc appts for my son and myself on my current plan which has very low copays. My son's day care would be closed two days during the first week I start the new job (going by 2 wks) for staff training and I had already put in for time off with my current job to be home those days. And finally a project I am working on will take me longer to wrap up than I expected. I have to call them back today and accept-how do I handle the start date? Do I need to explain my reasons for starting in 3 weeks vs 2? I assumed that they would have taken longer to make an offer.

Answer 1

This is a predicament.

You are in a position where you don't want to tick off your new employer, yet you have other obligations which make it almost necessary to delay starting by one week.

I am not going to tell you what to do; only what I have done in this situation (there have been 2 times when I told new employers that I needed 3 weeks, not 2, before starting). Here is how I worked it out.

1- They want me for some reason
2- It would probably take them at least 3 weeks to get their second choice to start.
3- If they respect their employees they will understand the need for the extra week.
4- If they don't understand and are rigid with the date, do I really want to work for them knowing they don't respect the employees?

I told both employers that the earliest I could strart was 3 Mondays from the offer, gave a brief explanation about the reason.

Both accepted my terms.

Good luck

Answer 2

YES! Explain to them the things going on and that you really need three weeks instead of two. Make particular reference to the Dr's Appointments and the insurance changes. They should be understanding.

Then ask if there is anything that you can do to make the 3 week start time more convenient for them. They will probably say there is nothing because really, what can you do?

But the thought behind it is this, "She really cares about this job and wants to be a team player."

That will get you brownie points with human resources and the bosss.

gl on the new job.

ps What kind of work do you do? just curious.

Answer 3

I would just let them know all of the reasons you stated. They are all very logical reasons for wanting to push things back a bit.

Maybe suggest working half days in that third week, if they're insistent on you coming in.

Congrats on the new job!

Answer 4

In the grand scheme of things, 1 week is not going to make a huge difference. Ask for the time you need. Since you (and they) already know that you're the one they want, it's most likely that they will make accommodations for you.

Answer 5

CONGRATS!!!!

I suggest you simply be honest - you were thinking they would take longer to make an offer, and you have some pre-scheduled appointments that you need to attend. (They dont need to know about a few down days you take off...) Remember - they want you, so they will be willing to wait five more days...

CONGRATS AGAIN!!!

Answer 6

BE HONEST! But if they say they have to have someone asap, do it if you want the job!

They might be able to work with you, but they might not be able too. They may have someone to train you only during that week, or may have that position that must be filled that week.

Good Luck.