Have you ever asked a new job to delay a start date?

[Deemarie11]

And what happened. Did it work out for you?

I just got offered a new job. The start date is 21st November. I really want to do this job and I am glad to get it.

However something has happened in my own life, where it would really be much better for me if I could delay starting by 2.5 weeks. So I would like to start on the 8th December.

I've never asked a job to change start date before. I'm worried it might cause me hassle and it might look badly on me. They might just say "well you agreed to this date, so if you can't commit, we don't want you at all".

I'm not looking for advice on my situation. I would just really like to hear other people's stories who have done this.

If you asked to start at a later date, what happened ? Thanks so much

I delayed mine by 6 weeks so that I could be made redundant first. They were happy to agree.

I have twice and both times it's been fine. If they want you, they'll wait.

It probably depends on the specifics of how urgently they need someone and how much they want you specifically.

Yes, after very long career break I got a job at start of summer but asked if I could start after school hols because of the logistics with childcare for 6wks. They were totally fine. It will depend how desperately they need you immediately but most reasonable employers will be ok, especially if they feel you are the right person for job. Better to start when you can fully focus than be distracted/flaky!

Oh and I really doubt they would say ‘start now or not at all’ - worst case they say ‘actually that’s really difficult for us and you have to go from there

Happened to a colleague a few months ago.

Had already resigned and was working notice. Got a new job but company wanted an immediate start. Colleague said they could not start for another 4-weeks, this was accepted with no further comment.
Has now been working with new company for about 8-weeks.

I agree with PP above, I delayed by a further 4 weeks so I could get my redundancy payout. New company were happy to agree.
Can only ask and they can say yes or no.

The other thing is its a big remote European company. I'm in Ireland and the HR department is in England. So it will be a little bit of hassle trying to find the right person to contact, and then them updating the right person in Ireland.

The other thing is that I need to do four weeks training at the start of the job And I think they take a lot of people on, on the same date so they can all start their training together.

I've just sent an email asking if I can delay the start by a couple of weeks. Fingers crossed for me

Fingers crossed.

They have decided they want your skills and talents in their company - it would be short sighted to lose you for the sake of 2.5 weeks.

Yep! Wanted to spend more time on maternity leave. No promlemo.

Yep, one a few years ago as needed to finish contract I was on, the job I'm in at the moment...as was flying back from an overseas post and the job I'm starting in Jan (another overseas one),as have a holiday booked.

Yep, though the company did monthly new starter training so I had to delay a whole month.

Yes - delayed the last one because I had a holiday booked. They were fine with it, although might have preferred I start a little earlier. If they want the best candidate then they should be OK with waiting a little.

They should be able to do so without too much of a problem.

I delayed my start date due to wanting to start in the New Year rather than before Christmas.

I think it’s quite normal.

I had to ask for similar because of my notice period at my old job - they can’t expect people to hand in their notice before getting a new job after all.

Also because in the sector I work in the world implodes if you don’t start on the 1st of the month

I asked & was told no

Yes. I asked and they were fine with it.

I pushed back by 2 weeks so I could start at the beginning of the new month.

Yes.

Give them as much notice as you can though

Hmm, so you would probably be in the January cohort of training? So really it's six weeks delayed start

I recently delayed the start date in the new role a week so I could work my full notice in my old role and the new place was fine with it.

Yes I have. They probably weren't happy but they were absolutely fine with me.

My partner delayed starting his new job by 2 weeks because our baby had just been born. They were absolutely fine with it.

Ask and explain why, they'll be very understanding.

2.5 weeks is nothing compared with the potential of 5/10/15 years with them

Tell them now though!

I have twice, fine both times. Just ask tentatively eg “Starting on X date would be extremely helpful for me and I wondered if that might be a possibility?”

Yeah my son did and they were cool about it