for a full time job after college, how flexible is the start date at most companies?

[skim milk]

I want to start late August/Sept. will the employers be understanding? anyone with previous experience with pushing the start date back?

 

[StartingLine]

depends on the company and the position and what they are waiting for. When I hire people it is usually for a position I want to fill asap but other companies might be really large and can wait. You dont really have any details here...

 

[mcvickj]

Why do you want to push the start date back? Is it worth losing the job for a month or two of freedom before entering the work force? I'm sure they could easily find a dozen other people who will be willing to start on the date the company requests.

 

[goatjc]

I chose my start date on my first and second jobs out of college. . .although, the first one was pressuring to get me in there ASAP, while the other, I probably could of started anywhere from 1 week to 4 weeks.

 

[DaveSimmons]

At small companies like ours we start the hiring process when we need someone, not months in advance. Waiting 2-3 weeks is reasonable, but if you wanted to wait months we'd move you to the "if no one else works out" pile.

 

[Ns1]

If you're wanted enough pretty flexible. Also depends on size of firm and how badly the position needs to be filled

 

[middlehead]

My first job asked that I start on a specific date because it's their regular orientation cycle, first Monday of the month. They did say I could postpone if I wanted, but I just went ahead and started.

 

[bonkers325]

depends on the job. if its a service based job (consulting, etc) you can probably get away with starting late.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Now that you are out of school and are joining the real world, I'll give you some advice. Unlike what your parents taught you, the world doesn't revolve around you. If a company wants to hire you and you don't want to start when they need you, guess what, Don't call us, we'll call you.

 

[slsmnaz]

I was told I could start within 3 months of the offer letter date. I would always let the company "help" make your decision.

 

[jiggahertz]

August/Sept seems kinda late. I'm assuming you graduated in May sometime? Most companies I've dealt with don't have a problem with moving start dates around like this though.

 

[Old Hippie]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
Now that you are out of school and are joining the real world, I'll give you some advice. Unlike what your parents taught you, the world doesn't revolve around you. If a company wants to hire you and you don't want to start when they need you, guess what, Don't call us, we'll call you.

Exactly. :thumbsup:

 

[kranky]

When people fill out an application, there's a space to indicate when the person will be available. If we offer to hire as of a certain date based on that information, and the person asks for a later date, we move on to the next candidate. It messes with our orientation training.

 

[Imdmn04]

Just ask the company. Every company/department is different.

Ask your future boss, work something out with him.

 

[RichieZ]

Originally posted by: bonkers325
depends on the job. if its a service based job (consulting, etc) you can probably get away with starting late.

consulting always has start classes at least for undergrad hires, there is a national training program. so normally in july and feb

 

[BHeemsoth]

Most of my friends graduating and entering the workforce this year were allowed to pick a start date. However, we are a business university and most of those people are entering large corporations.

The only exceptions to this are structured work programs such as rotational programs or those with large amounts of training. In those cases a start date was selected by the firm. In most cases this date was in late July.

 

[RadioHead84]

I think that really depends on the company. I don't think it hurts to ask how flexible they are on the start date.

 

[LS20]

Originally posted by: Imdmn04
Just ask the company. Every company/department is different.

Ask your future boss, work something out with him.

word.

go through the interview, make a good impresion, and ask about the starting date


i signed in november and didnt start til next August. we have a few new recent hires who got 3/4/5 months delays (hired in early season recruiting, wanted to take summer vacation, etc etc)

 

[agibby5]

I always say ASAP, and they are always impressed. Although you might not like doing that, it might pay off down the road. What do you really need the extra time for anyway? Aren't you anxious to get a job? Let me put it this way, I graduated 12/06. I didn't get a job until 04/07. I felt like I was about to get depressed because I didn't have anything to do for that whole time. It really messed with my mind.

 

[NanoStuff]

Originally posted by: agibby5
I always say ASAP, and they are always impressed.

They're delighted they found themselves a cheap desperate college whore to do the work of two people. There's a slight difference there.

 

[agibby5]

Originally posted by: NanoStuff

Originally posted by: agibby5
I always say ASAP, and they are always impressed.

They're delighted they found themselves a cheap desperate college whore to do the work of two people. There's a slight difference there.

I was neither cheap, nor desperate. I always started as soon as I possibly could at any job, pre- and post- college.

EDIT: Btw, I LOVE being a whore!

 

[Imdmn04]

Originally posted by: agibby5
I always say ASAP, and they are always impressed. Although you might not like doing that, it might pay off down the road. What do you really need the extra time for anyway? Aren't you anxious to get a job? Let me put it this way, I graduated 12/06. I didn't get a job until 04/07. I felt like I was about to get depressed because I didn't have anything to do for that whole time. It really messed with my mind.

That's because you had 4 months of downtime.

A lot of people after 4 years of school, wants to take a short break when there is a job lined up.

Can you imagine walking on a Saturday ceremony after 4 years of hardwork, then going to work on the following Monday?

 

[HyTekJosh]

Most companies hiring out of college will have a start date of July/August. That is what I have seen in corporate and consulting America.

 

[agibby5]

Originally posted by: Imdmn04

Originally posted by: agibby5
I always say ASAP, and they are always impressed. Although you might not like doing that, it might pay off down the road. What do you really need the extra time for anyway? Aren't you anxious to get a job? Let me put it this way, I graduated 12/06. I didn't get a job until 04/07. I felt like I was about to get depressed because I didn't have anything to do for that whole time. It really messed with my mind.

That's because you had 4 months of downtime.

A lot of people after 4 years of school, wants to take a short break when there is a job lined up.

Can you imagine walking on a Saturday ceremony after 4 years of hardwork, then going to work on the following Monday?

I can imagine, and I would have gladly done it. Actually I had a paid internship, I walked Saturday and continued working for the last two weeks of the month (until I was released before the end of year budget).