Offered job but employer stalling on start date.

[Jimsdadisalegend]

About 2 months ago I applied for a job. I didn't hear anything for about a month and assumed I'd been unsuccessful when I received an email inviting me to interview.

I went to the interview 2 days later and then was phoned 2 days after that to offer me the job. I asked about a start date and the woman (it's a small company and she is the owner/manager) said that she would decide on a suitable start date when she had a moment and would email me with details plus a staff/training manual so I could start to read up on information that I would need for the role. It's sales based but there is a fair bit to learn.

I left it for a few days as I thought she was probably busy and didn't want to look annoying and a pest, and then I emailed her and said I hadn't received the information or a start date and would it be possible for her to let me know as soon as possible so that I could make childcare arrangements. She emailed me back and said that she was terribly sorry but she had been very busy and had had problems setting up the training manual but I'd hear from her in due course, probably within the week.

Well the week came and went and I called her and again she said she was very sorry but had been busy and if I wouldn't mind being patient I would hear from her soon. I explained that I wanted to find out the start date as I needed to arrange childcare and also I do have another part time job which although the hours won't clash and theoretically I could do both, I was going to leave and start this one.

Which takes us to now. Still no word from her. I don't want to harrass or annoy her, but I'm starting to think she is taking the piss a bit. Why offer someone a job when you then won't set anything concrete for them to start? I wouldn't mind if she said 'you can't start for another 6 weeks' or whatever, I just want to know where I am.

Am I best off giving up on the idea of the job and looking for something else? It is a really good job and is just up my street so I'll be quite fed up if I end up having to do this. She asked at the interview when I could start and I said as soon as she needed me (my mum is going to look after the children for me so this would be possible) and seemed keen to get me started within a week or two.

It doesn't look very good, does it? I think if I was in your position I'd be rethinking taking the post. If the employer is like this before you've even started, what would she be like to work with?

I'd contact her again, make it clear that you need to sort out childcare and that you cannot do this until a start date has been agreed. Keep it light, reiterate your enthusiasm for the job, and see if she comes back to you. In the meantime, keep looking!

Good luck

I have been in the boss's position before - so run ragged with keeping up that I haven't been able to do the very things I needed to do in order to free myself up. It happens. With very small companies there is often chaos everywhere - everything done on the fly and staff expected to be very flexible in dealing with it and not getting stressed by it.

I imagine that there probably is a job waiting but you'll have to think long and hard if the environment is right for you. In then meantime do you have anythign to lose in waiting for a while longer?