Answering Questions About The Date You're Available for Work

An employer can ask about the “date available for work,” for several reasons, such as:

• To find out your availability: An employer can ask this question to find out when a candidate is free to take on the job responsibilities of a new position.
• To gain insight into your values: Companies usually prefer employees with strong, complementary values. Asking the question gives an employer an opportunity to evaluate a candidate’s values such as their work ethic, conscientiousness, and reliability. For example, if you’re currently employed and say you can start the next day, your answer indicates your lack of reliability in relation to handling job responsibilities because you’re willing to leave your current employer without giving any notice or completing any pending work.
• To discover any scheduling conflicts: An employer usually has a preference for when they would like a new hire to start working. By asking you about your availability, the hiring manager can find out if your timeline for starting work synchs with theirs.

Learn more: The Ultimate Job Interview Preparation Guide

There are several reasons why it’s important to inform a recruiter when you’re available, such as:

• It demonstrates your interest in getting the job. Giving a timely, straightforward answer to this question shows your motivation to join the employer’s workforce.
• It provides necessary information. Telling an employer when you can start work gives them the information they need on when they can benefit from a new labor resource or if they can avoid scheduling conflicts.
• It displays your soft skills. You can use your answer to this question to demonstrate key abilities that most employers look for in employees such as reliability, accountability, and conscientiousness.

Learn more: Questions to Ask an Interviewer

Consider the following steps to answer a question on the date available for work:

1. If you’re currently available, show your willingness to begin. You can make a positive, strong answer to this question by telling the hiring manager that you can start right away if you’re currently unemployed and do not want any more time off.
   
2. If you’re employed, research your obligations in relation to your current employer. If you’re currently working, find out how much notice you need to give your employer. Two weeks’ notice is the standard duration, but you may need to provide a longer period depending on your employment contract. Then, find out how quickly you can complete your pending projects.
3. If you’re expected to relocate, research the time needed to so. Some jobs involve relocation, which can be a time and cost intensive process. Do the necessary research to find out about your move, so you can suggest a realistic timeline.
4. Research the options available to reduce the transition period. If you’re required to give two weeks notice or more to your current employer, find out if you have any vacation leave that you can take to complete the orientation at the new company while completing this period.
5. Research employer preferences. Read the job listing or call the HR department to find out when your prospective employer wants the new position filled.
6. Decide on an answer that meets obligations and employer preferences. Develop an answer that accommodates your obligations to your current employer and the preferences of the prospective employer.
7. Ensure your answer is error free and clear. Write your answer before the interview, edit it to remove any errors, and practice your delivery until you can provide a confident reply.
8. Make a professional answer. Provide a clear answer that articulates your commitment to completing any current responsibilities and accommodates any prospective employer preferences.
9. Demonstrate your willingness to begin work. Show the hiring manager you’re willing to begin as soon as possible. For example, if you have to give a longer period of notice than the standard two weeks, you can offer to use any vacation leave you may have to go through orientation at the new company after you complete your current workload.

Learn more: Things to Research Before Any Job Interview

You can include the following items when answering a question on the date you’re available for work:

• An expression of interest in the new employment opportunity, such as, “I would be happy to join your team”
• A date for your availability to begin work
• A brief explanation if there is an unavoidable delay before your date of availability
• Evidence of strong communication skills

You can use the following tips to improve your answer to a question on your availability for work:

Be honest

Showcase your authenticity by being honest about any factors that affect your availability, such as your pending projects or contractual terms in your current employment contract.

Show your motivation to get the job

An employer typically evaluates dozens of candidates for each job, and the hiring process for the best employment opportunities is likely to be very competitive. Use your answer to demonstrate your drive to start working as soon as possible. For example, if you’re currently unemployed and can start right away, tell the hiring manager this. Use action words to indicate your motivation such as, “excited,” “convinced,” or “thrilled.” If you’re not working, avoid an answer that includes more time off because this could indicate your lack of enthusiasm for the job.

Develop a strong strategy

While a question on when you can start work can seem a straightforward one, you need a strategy for answering it effectively in certain situations, such as when you’re currently employed. Prepare before the interview. Target an answer that aligns with the employer’s schedule while demonstrating your reliability and work ethic.

Ask the employer about their preference in relation to the start date

While you should do some pre-interview research to find out about when an employer wants you to start work, you may not be able to obtain this information before the interview. If so, you can simply ask the hiring manager about their preference when asked a question about your availability. Then, craft your answer accordingly. This is a useful tactic in situations where you need to know how flexible an employer is in relation to the start date, such as when you’re required to relocate for a job.

Learn more: Job Interview Preparation Checklist

You can use the following examples to prepare your answer to a question about your availability:

Example 1: Entry-level sales assistant

As this would be my first experience as a full-time employee in the sales industry, I would be happy to begin right away! I’m available to start next Monday, the fourth of January.

Example 2: Entry-level physical therapist assistant

I complete my internship in four days, and I can complete the projects I’m working on for my supervisors during this period. After that, I can start working from March 12th onward.

Example 3: Mid-level social media manager

Based on my employment contract with Synergy Inc., I have to give two weeks’ notice, and I need this time to wrap up my ongoing projects and train my replacement. I’m eager to take on a new opportunity, and I can start on September 5th, the day after my notice period ends. 

Example 4: Mid-level industrial engineer

I’m eager to start working for you. I have to give two weeks’ notice. Then, I’m available to start from the 20th of July, onward.

Example 5: Mid-level project manager

I’m confident that this position would suit my skills and project management experience, so I can be available to begin as soon as next Monday.

Example 6: Senior chief information officer

I’m excited about the opportunity of joining your team and implementing the networking changes we talked about. At Point Brief, I have several projects to finalize. I intend to give two weeks’ notice to fulfill my obligations and ensure that there will be a smooth transition there. 

Example 7: Senior graphic designer

I’m sure this job suits my skills and employment experience. I will want to give two weeks’ notice. Then, I need to organize my relocation to New York. What is your timeline for someone who is relocating from a different state? 

Your answer to a question on your date available for work is important, as it can influence the success of your job application.

Discover real interview questions asked for thousands of job titles.