Recruiters don’t want to give you an offer unless they believe you’ll accept it.
As a candidate, you need many offers, right? You can play those offers off against each other, pick and choose, for higher pay, better benefits, changes in job structure or even title.
This is what recruiters don’t want – a “bidding war”. Another thing they don’t want is to make an offer that isn’t accepted, and then have to go to another candidate and make another offer, which may not be accepted. Meanwhile the hiring manager grumbles “What’s taking so long?” It’s called “slowness,” and it makes an employer look really bad.
In LinkedIn Talent Blog, Recruiting expert Lou Adler tells recruiters to avoid this scenario by asking the following question:
“If we offer you the job, when can you start?”
Here’s what they’re looking for, according to Adler.
“If the candidate gives specific details about a start date, that’s a sign they’re very interested. If they’re vague or indecisive, it’s a good sign that they don’t care much about your role.
So, depending on the company’s needs and your own, an answer like this might work well:
“I definitely need to give two weeks’ notice, and I’d like to give three more because a big project I’m involved in is coming to an end. Then I want to take a week off, which will be my first vacation in a year. So (the date) is fine at this point. How about that for you?” See?”
Your answer may be completely different. My point is that you gave a specific answer to confirm that you are serious. You have passed the start date exam.
Now, are you sure about your answer? Not really. Notice how you say a particular date is “good at the moment.” A promise may not be relevant because they have not yet made a promise to you, i.e., offered the job. It is important to answer in good faith, he said. Don’t talk about starting in a month or a week if you know you can’t really do it. Dishonesty can destroy rapport and hurt prospects.
“If we offer you the job, when can you start?” Let’s say you have successfully answered the questions and they have offered you an offer. Confirming the start date is one of the many parts of the offer You can negotiate. Read my post, Salary Negotiation, on how to do it For smart ways to negotiate any aspect of character.
