Can I negotiate the day I start my new job? PLease help!

[LaCerbiatta]

I've just been offered a job, but I need to give a two-month notice in my old job and I have until the end of the week to give them my decision so that would mean starting mid December. The problem is my present contract runs out in the end of December and I always assumed I would start a new job in January so I booked my Xmas holiday from the 15th of December till the 5th of January. I work in academia now and it's pretty common to do this and because I'm foreign and all my family is back home we always have a long break at this time. However I don't think I can just tell them this... I asked if I could start in January and they said they would like me to start in December.... What do I do??

Just tell them you have holiday booked and you can't start until day X.

tugamommy you can try and negotiate it. They want you to start in December, you want to start in January.
Best bet is to do as HD says, explain to them that you have holiday booked and would therefore like to delay your start date by a few weeks.

It will depend on how important a December start date is for them whether they will allow you to start later - if it's not hugely crucial and you are the right person for the job, it shouldn't be too much of an issue as you have holiday booked. You should be prepared that if it is crucial, you may have to choose whether to cancel your holiday, but definitely ask them first - as I say, if you are the right person for the job and they could possibly delay your start date, they won't want to lose you over 3 weeks or so.

Doesn't it look bad to say I don't want to give up my 3 week holiday? Should I come up with a more work-related excuse, like I really want to finish off some work or something like that?
Do you think they would tell me you start in December or you don't get the job? This wasn't an advertised position, I sent a speculative application, so there isn't a second candidate tehy could immediately choose instead....

I'm so scaired of leaving academia and going into the real world... Please someone say it is fantastic!....

holiday much better than work excuse.
They will consider that your focus should be on your new job and two months' notice should be ample to finish off anything at your old job.
And anyway, you'd never keep that up - you'd let it slip to someone in conversation that you'd been on holiday.

If you were the only candidate they are unlikely to change their mind because you have holiday booked imagine the hassle and expense of finding someone else for the sake of a 3 weeks delay...

It will probably be fine. You will only know if you ask though

And the real world is fab

I would just tell them you've got flights booked and not worry about it. I work in the 'real world' and would never penalise someone for having a holiday. You are allowed them you know!

ps downside of the 'real world' is that it can quite often be difficult to take 3 weeks at xmas so this may be your last chance. Grab at it with two hands

what scarybee says is right - you may find yourself working through Christmas next year...

Honestly, real world is fab

It's fairly routine for new employers to honour previously arranged holidays ime.

They would certainly expect you to put them before your current employer now that you have a new job so wouldn't advise a work excuse.

Thanks everyone! I know this will probably be my last 3 week break at xmas.... They do shut down that week so at least I'll never have to work those days!

Will folllow your advice and I'll let you know how it went!

Thanks again