Picture this: You're at a job interview, and everything is going great until the interviewer asks, “When can you start?” You're caught off guard and blurt out, “Tomorrow!” while slightly panicking. The interviewer smiles and jots down your answer in their notes. At that moment, you realize you might have given the wrong answer.
Among the most common interview questions, this one is far from the hardest. For this reason, candidates often fail to realize that it also requires a strategic answer and don't prepare accordingly.
So, how do you answer “When can you start?” correctly? Generally, it’s a combination of being realistic while also showing your enthusiasm for the job. Here’s an easy guide on how to craft your answer and five examples of what to say, depending on your situation.
Why do employers ask, “When can you start?”
Typically, employers ask this question to determine if your availability aligns with theirs. If you’re currently working, they want to assess how serious you are about leaving your current role and how prepared you are to do so.
For employed candidates, this question also serves as a way to gauge your work ethic. If you’re too willing to leave your current job with little to no notice, it could indicate that you might do the same to them in the future.
Being asked when you can start doesn’t necessarily mean they intend to hire you, but it could suggest you’re a strong candidate, and they want to compare your availability with other candidates. While there’s no one perfect answer to this question, your response should be as polished as your answers to other interview questions.
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What to consider before your interview
Your answer to “When can you start?” might change depending on your current situation. Here are key factors to consider:
- Are you currently employed? If you're working, you’ll likely need to provide a two-week notice to your current employer. In that case, you won’t be able to start immediately, so be honest with the interviewer to avoid confusion later. If you’re unemployed, this isn’t a concern.
- Do you have any personal plans? If you have plans scheduled for a few days or weeks after your interview, include this in your considerations. Whether it’s a vacation, a medical procedure, or another important commitment, be upfront about it in your response.
- Do you really want this job? Sometimes candidates apply to multiple jobs but aren’t equally interested in all of them. If you’re fortunate enough to get more than one interview, consider whether you truly want this role or if you’d prefer to wait for feedback from another employer before making a decision.
- Do you need time to recharge? If you’re currently employed, you may want a break to rest and prepare before starting a new role. If you’re unemployed, you might also need time to recover from job search fatigue. (However, it’s best not to mention this in an interview.)
How to answer “When can you start?”
You may be tempted to answer that you can start immediately. After all, candidates often believe the best way to land a job is to be as flexible, eager, and accommodating as possible. However, most of the time, that’s not a realistic option. In which case, it’s ideal to communicate in a way that shows your excitement for the job while still being thoughtful about the start date you have in mind.
“You can approach it from a couple different angles,” says Muse career coach Angela Smith. “Of course, you want to think about what works for you. But you also want to consider the employer’s perspective because they likely have a timeline and ideal date for when they would like a candidate to start.”
Here’s how to craft your answer:
Decide on a date the day before
Coming up with a date on the spot is a bad idea. Instead, think thoughtfully about it the day before your interview and settle on a date. If you have flexibility (for example, if your current employer doesn’t require a two-week notice), it puts you in a better position to negotiate if necessary. However, you should still enter the interview with a timeframe in mind.
Be realistic and reasonable
Yes, you should inform the interviewer if you have other work or personal responsibilities to fulfill before starting a new job. For example, if you need to provide two weeks’ notice to your current employer, let them know—your work ethic and consideration might earn you some extra points.
On the flip side, don’t take advantage of the interviewer’s willingness to accommodate, especially if you’re not currently working. Asking for more than two to three weeks, for example, could be too much for some employers who need a new hire quickly. So, be realistic about your needs.
Provide a brief explanation
Your ideal start date should be followed by a simple explanation. You don’t need to overexplain yourself, but providing a clear and valid reason is important. For example, you might need to give notice to your current employer and help with the transition, or you might have a vacation planned prior to the interview.
This isn’t the time to be brutally honest, so definitely don’t say you want some rest or lazy days before starting a new job—even if that’s the case. “I would phrase it as needing a couple weeks to handle prior arranged plans,” Smith says. “An established commitment, as opposed to just wanting time off, positions it a little better. Most employers understand that job searching doesn’t fit into life neatly and will be willing to work with your schedule.”
5 ways to answer “When can you start?”
Here are five examples of answers to the interview question “When can you start?” for different scenarios:
1. When you’re ready to start right away
You might be free and eager to start immediately, but there’s a fine line between enthusiasm to start a new job and desperation. It’s best to play it slightly cool, even if you’re available right now. So if you’re ready to start a job sooner than later, communicate that calmly and professionally.
“They may want someone to start right away, but they don’t need to know all the details of your life, even if you’ve been job hunting for a while,” Smith says. “You want to give yourself a breather, and also set the expectation that you won’t be at the employer’s beck and call.”
Example answer:
After learning more about this role, I am confident it would be a great fit for my experience and skill set. I can be available to start as soon as the beginning of the next work week.
2. When you need to give notice at your current job
A common scenario is if you're currently employed and need to give notice to your employer—the standard is typically two weeks—so they can find a replacement. However, depending on your position and responsibilities, you may feel you need to stay a week or two longer to help complete any major projects.
The interviewer probably expects that you will need to give notice at your current job, so it’s fine to let them know you will finish your last couple weeks there prior to coming on board.
Example answer:
I am excited for the opportunity to join your team. I have several projects to wrap up in my current role at [Company]. I plan to give them [number of weeks] notice to make a smooth transition for my co-workers and will be happy to come onboard with the team here after that time.
Read this next: How to Write a Resignation Letter (Examples Included!)
3. When you want to take a break between jobs
If you’re coming from a previous role, you may be looking forward to taking a few days or even weeks to decompress before jumping into the new one. While there’s nothing wrong with taking a breather between jobs, this one is a bit trickier than having a current job as the reason for delay. To avoid making a bad impression, say you have “personal commitments.”
Example answer:
I’m really looking forward to being part of the team. However, I do have some previously scheduled commitments to attend to after giving notice at my current job. My ideal start date would be [number of weeks] from a potential offer.
4. When they ask if you can start sooner
In some instances, the employer may want someone who is available sooner than the date you suggested. If they ask if you can start earlier, show flexibility and a willingness to negotiate a schedule that works for both parties. If no compromise is possible, you may need to bow out gracefully.
Example answer:
While my ideal start date is [date], I do have some flexibility, and I’d be happy to figure out a date that works with your timeline.
5. When you need to relocate
Should your new job require relocation, it’s important to give yourself a realistic timeline for the move. Not only will you be preparing for a new job and finding a place to live in a new city, but you’ll need to make specific arrangements if you’re moving with a partner, kids, or pets (or all three!).
Relocation for a job is a huge investment—both professionally and personally—so you’ll want to do some research to figure out the estimated time and cost of moving from your current location. That way, if and when you do get the job offer, you’ll be prepared to ask for the time you need, and maybe even relocation assistance.
That said, before you have the offer in hand, the safest option is to ask the interviewer’s preference for when the role should start.
Example answer:
This role sounds like a great fit for me, and I’m excited for the next steps. Because the role requires relocation to [city/state], what timeline do you have in mind for a candidate who is transitioning from another city/state?
Bottom line
No matter your situation, the goal when answering 'When can you start?' is to set realistic expectations for both yourself and your potential employer. This way, you propose a start date that ideally works for both parties and, should they make an offer, gets you on the right track for your new role.
Amanda Cardoso contributed to the latest version of this article.