By Peter Kamuri
Richard has been searching for a job for months, but little success has come his way. And just when he begins to despair, he gets that call inviting him for an interview.
The interview goes on smoothly and he is convinced that the job is in the bag. Then as the interview is about to end, one of the interviewers poses: “If you are hired, when can you start to work?”
This question throws him in a spin. He does not know whether his answer will jeopardise his chances of securing the job. He mumbles something incomprehensible for an answer. But Richard is not alone.
Many job seekers planning for a career change often find it difficult to handle this question.
However, the best route is as honesty. If you have some kind of commitment that makes it difficult to start immediately, tell the interviewer in a positive way.
Due to desperation, many unemployed job seekers think they can impress the prospective employer by saying that they will be available immediately, but later they fail to meet their own deadlines. So never promise anything you cannot deliver. On the other hand, if you are currently working, you need to give your present employer some time to find your replacement. This will allow for a smooth transition.
It is always a good idea to leave the current employer in a friendly manner. After all, there could be a possibility that he is the one who helped you to develop your current skills and the relevant experience that is now giving you leverage in the job you are seeking.
